How to Paint BMW E34 Brake Pads


1. Park the BMW on a level surface. Loosen the lug nuts on the front and rear wheels. Lift the car with a floor jack and lower it onto jack stands at all four corners, working on one side at a time. Remove the wheels and set them aside.
2. Clean the brake calipers and nearby areas at all four corners with degreaser and a rag. Loosen and remove the large bolts that hold the brake caliper in place. These are located on the top and bottom of the caliper facing the wheel well. Slide the caliper off of the rotor.
3. Support the caliper on a box or a platform or tie it to a nearby suspension component so that the weight of it does not drag on the brake line. Paint one caliper at a time. Wipe the caliper down with mineral spirits and a clean, dry rag so that it is completely free of oil and grease. Ensure that the caliper is dry.
4. Remove the brake pads from the caliper. Tape off the pistons and the rubber seals around he pistons inside the caliper so that they don't get any paint on them. Mask off the everything around the caliper with paper and masking tape. Wrap masking tape around the bleeder valve on the caliper as well as the brake line where it bolts to the caliper. You only want paint on the caliper. You will also want to cover the wheel arch and nearby bodywork (fenders, doors, etc.) so they do not get any overspray on them.
5. Spray on a light dusting of the caliper paint. Let the paint dry for minute or so to provide an adhesive surface for the thicker coat. Spray on a thicker coat of paint, holding the can 6 to 8 inches from the caliper and moving the can back and forth in a smooth motion. Let the paint dry for 10 minutes and then apply another coat. Continue applying coats until the caliper has solid paint coverage. Repeat the above steps for the remaining calipers.
6. Let the calipers dry for at least four or five hours or even overnight. Make sure they are completely dry to the touch before installing them to avoid damaging the paint. Remove all of the paper and masking tape. Install the brake pads back in the caliper. Slide the caliper over the rotor. Install and tighten the caliper bolts. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts by hand.
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How to Find Parts for a Vintage Mercedes


1. Determine if your Mercedes is truly vintage. Parts for models built since 1982 can usually be found by your local Mercedes-Benz dealer's parts department, or from German car parts specialists on the Internet. Cars built prior to 1981 are true classics and require more hunting for parts.
2. Check your local phone book for German car specialists. Mechanics, restorers and small dealers often have leads on where to find parts.
3. Contact the Mercedes-Benz Club of America to find a nearby chapter. Attend an event and network with other vintage Mercedes owners. Ask them where they buy parts.
4. Join one of the Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts online forums. Ask participants for a good source of parts for your make and model year.
5. Call the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center at (866) MBCLASSIC. They stock many parts and can even look up your Mercedes' original build sheet from the archives.
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How to Make a 2003 Z


1. Install a performance exhaust system. The Z4's exhaust is relatively restrictive and the motor can benefit from a larger diameter exhaust system that will help the motor breath better. The installation of a performance exhaust on a Z4 is a pretty involved process and should be handled by a shop experienced with modifying BMWs.
2. Have the engine's electronics reprogrammed. In stock form, the Z4's electronics are pretty conservative. A reprogrammed ECU (engine control unit) will deliver more fuel, spark and air to the motor and will help it make more power and the car itself faster. While this can be done by a professional shop, there are products available that allow you to simply plug into the existing electronics and reprogram them for more power.
3. Supercharge the engine. A common method to getting more power from a Z4 is to supercharge the engine, which is a form of forced induction that forces more air into the motor for a power increase. Supercharging is generally cheaper and more simple than turbocharging (the other form of forced induction). A supercharger kit needs to be installed and tuned by a shop that specializes in performing this type of work on BMWs in order for it to function properly and not damage the motor.
4. Improve the handling and braking. Making your Z4 faster does not just mean simply adding more horsepower to it but also includes improving the rest of its performance so it can go around corners faster and stop faster as well. Remove the stock suspension and install lower, stiffer springs which will reduce body roll and increase cornering speeds. Add adjustable performance shocks to the equation and you will be able to dial in your Z4's handling just the way you want it. On the stopping end of things, install more aggressive brake pads for better braking, cross-drilled rotors for better heat dissipation and braided steel brake lines for more responsive brakes.
5. Replace the stock wheels and tires with a performance wheel and tire package. The Z4's stock tires leave a little to be desired (or a lot if it's using run-flat tires) so installing stickier tires will allow the car to corner faster. Combine the performance tires with lighter performance alloy wheels for even more performance.
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How to Change the Belt on a 2002 BMW 530i


1. Ensure the car is turned off and the key is out of the ignition. Open the hood for access to the engine compartment.
2. Locate the tensioner bolt toward the top of the engine to the right of the water pump. There will be two bolts to loosen.
3. Unscrew the top bolt to loosen the tensioner with a socket wrench. Loosen the bottom bolt with a socket wrench to release the tension on the belt.
4. Pull the belt off all the pulleys and out of the engine compartment. Place the new belt around all the new pulleys. Follow the provided belt-routing diagram supplied under the hood. Place the belt over the tensioner pulley last.
5. Tighten the bottom bolt with a socket wrench first to tighten the belt. Tighten the top bolt once tension is placed on the belt.
6. Start the car, and allow it to idle to ensure the belt has no slack in the lines. Turn off the car, and close the hood.
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How to Change BMW Gear Oil


1. Set your motorcycle on its center-stand. Almost all BMW motorcycles have one; but if yours does not, prop it up so that the rear wheel can be removed.
2. Use a socket wrench to remove the mounting bolts of the rear fender if your bike is so equipped. All GS models have a fender held on by two mounting bolts while other models don't have one at all.
3. Remove the rear wheel by loosening and removing the five lug nuts with a socket wrench. Use a Torx wrench to loosen and remove the brake caliper bolts. Allow the brake caliper to hang from the frame of the motorcycle.
4. Remove the two speed sensor mounting bolts behind the brake rotor with a Torx wrench. Let the speed sensor hang from the frame with the brake caliper. Set an oil drain pan beneath the oil drain bolt at the rear of the swing arm.
5. Use a Torx wrench to remove the oil drain bolt. Oil will come out of the swing arm. Allow the oil to drain into the pan until there is none left in the swing arm. Replace the oil drain bolt and tighten it to 40 Newton meters (Nm) using a torque wrench.
6. Use a measuring cup to measure out 0.22 liters of gear oil. Pour the oil into the swing arm through the right speed sensor hole, where you removed a bolt previously.
7. Reattach the speed sensor with the two Torx bolts removed previously. Reattach the brake caliper to the swing arm using a Torx wrench. Use a socket wrench to reinstall the rear wheel and tighten the lug nuts. Reattach the rear fender with the two fender mounting bolts removed earlier.
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How to Reset a Flat Tire Light on a BMW 745


1. Start the engine. Leave the 745 in park.
2. Press the computer info display button on the turn signal lever.
3. Turn the computer controller to the left or right until 'Settings' is displayed. Press the select button.
4. Turn the controller to the left or right until 'RPA' is displayed. Press the select button.
5. Turn the controller left or right until 'Set' is displayed. Press the select button. The tire pressure monitor resets and the flat-tire light disappears.
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How to Upgrade Audio for a 2008 Audi TT


1. Replace the factory audio head unit with an aftermarket head unit that will be able to handle more amps. A multitude of aftermarket head units are available that include MP3-playing capabilities, have built-in satellite radio, GPS navigation, and inputs for auxiliary audio devices such as portable MP3 players.
2. Install aftermarket speakers to replace the factory audio speakers in your sound system. Aftermarket speakers can consume more power and are engineered for improved audio quality. These can be installed in conjunction with the factory head unit in your TT or coupled with an aftermarket head unit for maximum effect. Examples of aftermarket speakers include tweeters and subwoofers, which can respectively improve mid-range and bass quality of the audio you're playing.
3. Install an aftermarket amplifier to boost the power that is going to your TT's speakers. By increasing the power to the speakers, you're increasing the volume at which the speakers can operate. Some aftermarket speakers and head units will require the installation of an amplifier as the factory electrical system in your TT may not be capable of handling the increased electrical load on its own.
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Replacement Instructions for a S430 Mercedes Benz Wiper Blade


1. Pull the driver's side wiper blade off the Mercedes' windshield and position it vertically. A spring inside the wiper arm holds the arm in place.
2. Grab the wiper arm with one hand and middle of the wiper blade with the other.
3. Pull the wiper blade off the arm. The blade is pressed onto the wiper arm.
4. Hold the wiper arm with one hand and press the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm.
5. Place the wiper blade against the Mercedes' windshield.
6. Repeat the process on the passenger side wiper blade.
7. Turn the Mercedes on and then turn off the wiper blades. They will seat below the cowl.
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How to Change Fog Lights on an Audi A6


1. Park your Audi A6 somewhere suitable. The ground should be level, and you should have adequate light to work by.
2. Locate the plastic access panel to the side of the fog light that needs repair. Get down low and look to the outside edge of the fog light. It is held on by two clips that can be snapped open with a slotted screwdriver.
3. Unscrew the four Philips screws holding the fog light assembly to the bumper. Pull the assembly free gently to gain enough room to reach the bulb itself. It will have wires attached to the rear, so be sure not to disconnect these while pulling the assembly out.
4. Push the bulb in slightly, and turn it to the left to remove it. Then take a replacement bulb No. H7 and insert it into the assembly. Reassemble the fog light in the reverse order you took it apart.
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DIY: Changing the Fuel Pump to an A4 Audi


1. Prop open the hood of your Audi. Disconnect the negative battery cable on the car battery. Locate the banjo bolt or Shraeder valve. Lay rags around the valve or bolt. Press down on the valve to release the fuel pressure, or loosen the bolt with your wrench to release the fuel pressure.
2. Remove the rear seats from your Audi. Pull up on the two tabs in front of and below each seat to dislodge them from the mounting tabs. Slide them forward and upward to pull them off of the seat stay and expose the fuel pump access panel.
3. Remove the bolts locking the fuel pump access panel to the seat stay with your socket wrench set. Pull off the access panel.
4. Disconnect the fuel and vapor hoses from the fuel pump nozzles. Disconnect the wiring connector from the fuel pump.
5. Clean the grime, dirt, and other particulates off of the top of the fuel tank around the pump so that no impurities get into the tank while you are changing the fuel pump.
6. Loosen the tabs of the locking ring from the slots of the fuel tank by striking the tabs with your hammer and screwdriver. Remove the locking ring. Pull out the fuel pump and fuel pump gasket.
7. Lubricate the new gasket with motor oil. Place it under the head of the new fuel pump. Set the new fuel pump in the fuel tank. Lock it into place with the retaining ring. Reconnect the fuel, vapor, and electrical lines.
8. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the ignition key to the on position. Wait a few seconds. Turn the ignition key to the off position. Do this until the engine cranks. Close the access panel. Replace the back seats.
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