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Alternator Troubleshooting and Replacement
| One of the nice things about the configuration of the BMW engine is the relative ease with which you can replace the alternator. |
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An Easy and Inexpensive Ignition Cut-Off Switch
| Here's a little trick that will disable the ignition system on your car, preventing your pride and joy from being stolen. |
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Blacking Out Your Chrome Trim
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Bleeding BMW Brakes
| Another tricky process. Here's a couple of hints and tips gathered from some good and bad experiences in brake bleeding. |
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Blinking Sidemarker Modification
| Applies to: All 1984-91 BMW 3-Series |
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Blower Resistor Pack Replacement
| If your blower fan switch only works on high, then you could have a faulty resistor pack. |
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BMW Belt Replacement
| Here's some short instructions on this very basic of maintenance tasks. |
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BMW Camshaft Removal / Installation
| Wayne has found a solution to the problem of how to remove your BMW camshafts without using the $1400 special factory tool. Complete technical article here with all the info... |
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BMW Cooling System Flush & FAQ
| Check it out - more than you ever wanted to know about your cooling system, why you need to maintain it regularly, and how to change that pesky coolant. |
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BMW Designation FAQ
| Confused about which models mean what? What's an M50 motor? What does the 'is' mean in your 325is? Pelican's own Jared Fenton answers your questions in this handy reference FAQ. |
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BMW E30 3-Series Cross-Drilled Brake Rotor Upgrade
| Jared Fenton walks us through the process of upgrading your E30 to cross-drilled rotors for better braking. |
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BMW Engine Management Systems
| If you're looking to squeeze the most performance out of your motor as you possibly can, then an Electromotive TEC3r system is certainly the way to go. |
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BMW Euro Ellipsoid/Angel Eyes Installation
| Your standard headlights might be up to snuff on most roads, but once you convert to ellipsoid style lighting, you'll wonder how you ever drove without them before. |
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BMW Fuel Injector Replacement
| If your injectors are leaking, or you're thinking they are clogged, here is a step-by-step procedure on how to change them out. |
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BMW Oil Change
| The most common task to do on your BMW - the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines are covered here. |
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BMW Oil Service Light Reset
| Jared Fenton shows you how to reset that annoying service light without taking your car to the dealer. |
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BMW Radiator Replacement
| Got a pin-hole leak in your radiator? Want to upgrade to a better cooling one? It's pretty easy to remove and reinstall your radiator. |
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BMW Roundel Emblem Replacement
| Jared Fenton shows you the really easy steps to improving the looks of your BMW, with the simple front or rear Roundel replacement. |
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BMW Spark Plug Replacement
| Spark plugs are an important part of your engine - make sure that they are replaced every 10,000 miles or so, to keep your ignition system running smoothly. |
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BMW Thermostat Replacement
| When replacing your water pump, you should also replace your thermostat as well. Here's easy instructions on how to swap it out. |
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BMW Water Pump Replacement
| The old-style water pumps used plastic impellers that were prone to failure. Replace yours now before it's too late. |
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Brake Line Replacement
| Repeated heat cycling and fluid contamination will eventually cause the inside of the line to swell and the outside to crack. You've been warned, so now it's time to take action. |
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Brake Pad Replacement
| Want to know how to perform this relatively easy task and save some money at the same time? Check out our step-by-step instructions on brake pad replacement. |
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Brake Pedal Switch Replacement
| Have all your brake lights stopped working all of a sudden? It's probably your brake pedal switch - replacement is a 30 minute job. |
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Brembo Big Brake Kit Upgrade
| Need more brakes? The Brembo kit is the top-dog in performance brakes. Wayne R. Dempsey shows you how easy the installation can be. |
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Building an In-Dash Air-Mixture Monitor
| Gabriel Pennella offers a great article on building a monitor that you can use while driving to fine-tune your performance. |
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Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement
| If the camshaft position sensor is not operating properly, your car will run very erratically, and perhaps not at all. See how easy it is to replace and restore the smooth purr to your engine. |
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Camshaft Timing & VANOS Unit Installation
| Need to retime your cams? VANOS unit need replacing? Here's the details on timing your engine, and the install of this tricky unit. |
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Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement & Bleeding
| Clutch pedal feeling spongy? Try replacing your slave cylinder and rebleeding your system. |
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Concours Corner: All About Bras
| Once again, Bev offers up some suggestions and tips learned from experience with her concours winning 911. |
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Concours Corner: Cleaning Your Engine, Part I
| Need some tips on this seemingly daunting task? Bev Frohm teaches the dos and don'ts of cleaning your engine in part one of this series. |
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Concours Corner: Cleaning Your Engine, Part II
| Part II covers more of the procedure in getting your engine to shine. |
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Concours Corner: Polishing Alloy Wheels
| Bev Frohm offers up some tips and tricks for polishing and maintaining your Fuchs alloy wheels to a mirror finish. |
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Concours Corner: Rubber Strip Conditioning
| Ever wonder what to use on your precious rubber stripping? Concours winner Bev Frohm gives us some suggestions for prolonging the life of your weatherstrip. |
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Concours Corner: Washing Your Car
| Bev Frohm gives us some tips and tricks for washing your car in this article which is the first in a series. |
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Convertible Rear Window Replacement
| Convertible rear windows are certainly one of the least resilient parts on the exterior of your BMW. Learn how to replace it in just a few basic steps here. |
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Convertible Top Adjustment and Repair
| The BMW convertible top is one of the most complicated systems on the car. While some problems are easy to fix, others can definitely be a hassle. |
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Coolant Temp Sensor Replacement
| Applies to: E30 cylinder engines (1984-91) |
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Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement
| Like the camshaft position sensor, you'll certainly want to replace this unit as soon as it fails. Find out how by reading this article. |
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CV Joint, Boot, and Axle Replacement
| Clunk! Looks like it's time to replace your CV axles. Find out what you need to know about the procedure here. |
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DME Chip Upgrade
| Want some more HP out of your car? Try an inexpensive chip upgrade, and be on the road in 30 minutes with more performance. |
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DME Repair
| Got some problems with your DME? Want to know how to stop the horrible DME "flooding" problem on early E36s? Check out this informative article. |
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Door Panels and Lock Troubleshooting
| This article specifically targets the replacement of the door lock assembly, but because there are so many moving parts on the door, just about everything about the door panels is discussed as well. |
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Dyno Testing
| Who isn't curious about how much power they're transferring to the wheels? Learn about all the basics here before you strap your car onto a dyno for the first time. |
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E30 3-Series Parking Brake Adjustment
| Can't pull that handle? Learn how to adjust your parking brake once and for all, and keep your car from rolling down hill. |
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E30 Chip Install
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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E30 Instrument Light Replacement
| Burned out bulbs getting you down? Find out how to replace them with this handy article. |
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E30 Rear Sway Bar Bushing Replacement
| Jared shows us how to stiffen up the rear suspension of your 1984-1991 3-Series BMW with the replacement of the rear sway bar bushings. |
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E30 Rear Sway Bar Drop Link Replacement
| Learn how to replace this often-failing part with this handy article from Jared Fenton. |
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E30 Timing Belt Replacement
| One of the most important maintenance tasks for the six-cylinder E30 engines is the replacement of the rubber timing belt. Be sure to read this article, even if you will not be performing the job yourself. |
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E36 Control Arm Replacement
| Got a bent or worn out front control arm? Replacement is not that tough if you have the right instructions... |
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E36 Fuel Pump Replacement
| Worried about doing this swap? Don't be - we have all the info you need, including your pre-flight safety check! |
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E36 Heater Valve Cleaning/Flushing
| If hot air is no longer blowing from your climate control system, then a clogged heater valve could very well be the culprit. |
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E36 Instrument Light Replacement
| E36 models have even more of these little bulbs to deal with. Make sure you disconnect the battery first! |
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E36 Muffler Replacement
| Muffler rusty, too loud, or too soft? Replacement is easy with this simple-to-follow tech article. |
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E36 Performance Suspension / Lowering Your BMW
| The PSS performance suspension kit from Bilstein is one of the top performing kits available for the E36 3-Series. Learn how to install it correctly in this article. |
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Emergency Brake Adjustment
| Is your e-brake not working too well? Put it back into adjustment in less than 30 minutes. |
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Front Speaker Installation
| Applies to: E30 3-Series BMWs |
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Front Springs and Shock Replacement
| Pelican regular Jared Fenton shows us how easy it is to restore proper handling and how to lower your E30 3-Series BMW to boot! |
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Front Suspension Bushing Overhaul
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Front Suspension Overhaul
| Your shocks aren't the only parts of the suspension system that wear out. Take the time to overhaul the entire front end carefully and you'll feel much better that you did so. Really! |
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Front Wheel Bearing Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Fuel Filter Replacement
| You should replace your fuel filter about every 10,000 miles or so. This technical article shows you how to perform this relatively easy maintenance task. |
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Fuel Filter Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Fuel Injector Cleaning
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Head Gasket Replacement
| Oh boy... a blown head gasket is never good news. This project isn't for everybody, but if you're up for the task, be sure to follow the instructions here. |
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Headliner Replacement
| What's up? Your ugly, old headliner. Fortunately, replacing it may not actually be as difficult as you think. |
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Home Toe-in and Camber Adjustment
| John Rogers offers a neat article with specs on adjusting your toe-in and camber with homemade tools. |
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Hot Rodding Your Floor Jack
| What can we say, Tom Sharpes has way too much time on his hands... |
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Idle Speed Troubleshooting
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Ignition System Tune
| Applies to: E30 cylinder engines (1984-91) |
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Ignition Troubleshooting Checklist
| Mikko Kosonen has compiled a neat list for owners of all cars to check when they are experiencing problems with their ingnition systems. |
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Installing a CD Changer
| Find out which CD changers work with your factory stereo and learn how to install it correctly here! |
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Installing a Performance Intake System
| A properly designed cold air induction system can give your car a little boost in performance, but make sure you know what you're getting first by reading this article. |
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Installing a Rear Spoiler
| Some cars just look a lot better with spoilers, and the BMW 3-Series is one of them. |
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Installing a Short Shift Kit
| Installing a short-shift kit (SSK) is probably the number one most popular upgrade for these 3-Series cars. Detailed instructions on the process are here in this tech article. |
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Installing a Strut Tower Brace
| A strut tower brace links the top of the shock towers to insure that the towers do not bend when the chassis is flexing. Find out more about how they work and which designs are best in this article. |
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Installing an Aftermarket Shift Knob
| Not sure if you can do the install? It's really easy - just check out these nstructions on the topic, and get it done in about a half an hour. More information available here. |
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Installing an Alarm
| Decrease the chances of your precious ride from being stolen by choosing a quality alarm system and installing it properly. |
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Installing an HID Lighting System
| If the Ellipsoids still aren't enough for you, learn about what the ultimate alternative is. |
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Installing Colored Gauge Faces
| Tired of looking at your old dull gauges? Spice them up with colored gauge faces - Also check out the E30-specific Gauge Face Replacement article |
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Installing the Lower Cross Brace
| M3s and all convertible models had these installed from the factory to increase chassis rigidity. Installing one on your E36 coupe or sedan is an easy upgrade for any motoring enthusiast. |
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Intake Manifold Removal
| Hey, if we can do it, then you can too. Just be patient and follow through all the steps illustrated in this article. |
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Jacking Up the E36 3-Series
| Most common tasks need the car to be jacked up in the air. But where should you place the jack, and what is the safest method of lifting it? It's all answered here |
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Limited Slip Differential Swap (LSD)
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Lower Chain Tensioner Replacement
| Noisy timing chain operation is indicative of worn tensioners. Be sure to do the job right by upgrading to the later style tensioners if your car doesn't have them already. |
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M3 Mirror Upgrade
| Installing M3-style mirrors is one of those neat projects that can really add some spice to the look of your car, while not really taking up too much of your time. |
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Machine Shop 101
| If you're considering a top-end rebuild then stop right there. Read this first before you take any other steps towards having your cylinder head overhauled. |
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MIG Welder Maladies & Bodywork Book Review
| Kyle Ehler offers some advice on MIG Welders, and some opinions on some bodywork books. |
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Monitoring OBD-II Fuel Injection
| Need to figure out why that check engine light is on? Want to emulate a rolling dyno? PC-based OBD-II software has made great strides to bring this information to your fingertips. |
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Motor Mount Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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OBC Lamp Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Oil Pan Gasket Replacement
| These gaskets often leak with age, and replacing them can be a messy job. Find out the best way to get it done with as little frustration as possible here in this article. |
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On Board Computer (OBC) Converstion / Retrofit
| Do you have an early BMW with only one OBC connector, but want to add one of the later-style computers? Lars Staack has figured it out, and explains all in this guest technical article. |
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Oxygen Sensor Replacement E30
| Gas mileage got you down? Need to replace your O2 sensor, but are not exactly sure how? Jared Fenton guides you through this relatively easy task. |
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Oxygen Sensor Replacement E36
| Got an E36 BMW? Wayne shows you how to replace the O2 sensor easily! |
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Painting your Calipers
| Once you detail your calipers, no one will be able to tell the difference between your stock ones and the lobster claws of the big reds. |
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Painting Your Intake Manifold
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Parking Brake Shoe Replacement
| The last time your car rolled down a hill should be the last time your car rolls down a hill. Replace those important brake shoes now before gravity gets the best of you one day. |
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Personal Touches
| Just some of the many things you can do to enhance the look of your BMW is illustrated in this article here. |
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Power Seat Repair
| Did you know that seats are actually one of the most complicated components on the E36 3-Series? Well, you do now. |
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Radio Head Unit Installation
| Is your 10-year old radio head unit just not cutting it any more?. Crank up the tunes with an aftermarket unit - the install procedure is documented here. |
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Reading Fault Codes on BMW Fuel Injection Systems
| Check engine light on in your car? Not sure how to fix it? Use the techniques outlined in this article to figure out which problems are causing the light to come on. See also Jared Fenton's write-up on reading fault codes. |
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Rear Brake Disc Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Rear Speaker Installation
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Rear Springs and Shock Replacement
| Jared finished up with part two of spring and shock replacement for the 1983-93 3-Series E30 cars. |
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Rear Sway Bar Drop Link Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Rebuilding BMW Brake Calipers
| Got a frozen caliper? Learn how to rebuild those calipers the right way by following these simple steps. |
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Replacing Brake Discs
| Stop! Yes, that's exactly what you want to do... but you can't always do so effectively if your brake rotors are worn too thin. Learn how to replace those old discs properly in this article here. |
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Replacing Front Brake Discs
| Applies to: E30 3-Series BMWs |
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Replacing Hood Shocks
| Are you getting tired of having your front or rear trunk lids fall on your head? It’s probably time to replace your hood shocks. |
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Replacing Lenses and Bulbs
| Broken lenses aren't just eyesores, but they can get you a ticket too. Well, if they're broken, then you might as well replace them with something that looks a little better too! Clear Euro-style lenses just might do the trick. |
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Replacing Manual Transmission Fluid
| One of the easiest tasks to perform on your BMW is to change the transmission or differential oil, but just in case you need a bit of guidance, be sure to read this article first. |
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Replacing Rear Shock Mounts
| Applies to: All 3-Series BMWs (1983-99) |
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Replacing Service Indicator Board Batteries
| Applies to: All E30 3-Series BMWs (1983-93) |
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Replacing Shift Bushings
| Loosey-goosey shifter got you down? Transmission grinding? Perhaps it's just your shift bushings that are worn. Find out how to replace them here. |
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Replacing the Fuel Pump & Fuel Level Sender
| If your pump is noisy and loud, or the fuel pressure in the engine compartment is below what is needed for proper fuel injection operation, then it’s probably time to replace it. |
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Replacing the Headlamp Switch
| Replacing this switch is relatively easy, so if yours is broken, now's the time to fix it! |
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Replacing the Window Regulator and Motor
| Have you gotten tired of having to open your door and get out to retrieve your burger at the drive thru window? Well lucky for you, so have we. |
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Replacing Your Automatic Transmission Fluid
| This procedure is a bit difficult without the right knowledge and know-how, which we provide for you right here. |
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Replacing Your Automatic Transmission Lines
| Leaky line got you losing fluid? Replace your lines with the procedure here. |
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Replacing Your Differential Fluid
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Replacing your Driveshaft Center Bearing
| Got driveshaft noise? Perhaps it's your center driveshaft bearing. If you're replacing your flex disc (below), you should check out this article as well. |
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Replacing your Driveshaft Flex Disc / Guibo
| These flex discs crack and fail all the time. The good news is that replacement is relatively easy! Check out this article for detailed instructions on this procedure. |
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Replacing your Transmission Mounts
| Prevent expensive mis-shifts by keeping your transmission mounts in top shape. Or install UUC Transmission Mount Enforcers to keep them in line. |
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Resetting the Airbag Warning Lamp (SRS)
| Doing some electrical work on your car, and now all of a sudden, the air bag lamp is on? This lamp is a huge pain - now there is an easy way to reset it! |
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Retrofit a Tilt Wheel on Your E36
| Lars Staack supplies all the details on how to install tilt-steering wheel functionality onto late-model E36's. |
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Rod Bearings & Oil Pump Nut Replacement
| If your engine has ever suffered from a loss of oil pressure, then the first thing you should do is replace your rod bearings. |
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Seat Removal & Sport Seat Installation
| Considering a swap to M3 seats? Or aftermarket sport seats, perhaps? Learn how to do it right here. |
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Starter Replacement
| Now that you've determined that the starter is bad, learn how to replace it without electrocuting yourself by reading this article here. |
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Starter System Troubleshooting
| Here's a great guest article by James K. Thorusen that describes in detail the problems and solutions for troubleshooting your starter system problems. |
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Steering Wheel Replacement
| A new steering wheel can completely refresh your driving experience into something new again! |
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Street Dyno!
| Recording the ignition spark pulses into a wave file and processing it using the software can give a pretty accurate HP/Torque rating for your engine. |
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Stubborn Bolt/Stud Removal
| We've all encountered the fastener that just won't budge. Here are the basics (and last ditch efforts) about removing stubborn bolts or studs. |
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Sunroof Removal and Repair
| BMW sunroofs can be very confusing items if you’ve never worked on one before, but hopefully this article can help you out the first time around. |
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Synthetic Oil or Not?
| Think you're spending too much money on synthetics? Check out this article, and make an informed decision. |
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Time To Rebuild?
| Wayne Dempsey outlays the tests and evaluations that you should perform on your engine before deciding it's time for a rebuild. |
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Tire and Wheel Sizing
| Putting the wrong size tires on your wheels can alter your speedometer readings and might not look right. |
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Tire Size Calculator
| Ever wondered what the exact dimensions of tires are for your car? Plug in the confusing tire size (ex. 215/60/16), and it will give you physical dimensions. |
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Transmission Final Drive Computer
| Here is a little program John Rogers wrote to do some speed vs RPM calculations after he did a rally a couple of months ago. It's pretty fun to play around with. |
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Transmission Removal
| Getting to that clutch is no easy task, but it can definitely be done by the average home mechanic. Following this step-by-step process, you can hardly go wrong. |
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Troubleshooting Electrical Problems
| One of the most common problems with older cars is the existence of intermittent and annoying electrical problems. Learn how to troubleshoot them here before touching any wires. |
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Turbos and Superchargers for Your BMW
| We know you're curious about forced induction. Find out what you need to know first if you're seriously considering this route. |
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Using Car Bras & Car Film
| Protect your paint by installing a car bra or car film the right way. |
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Valve Adjustment Made Easy
| Stop paying your mechanic to adjust your valves - it's really not that difficult. Jared shows you how to on the 3-Series E30 six-cylinder engines. |
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Valve Cover Seal Replacement
| The valve covers on the BMW four and six cylinder engines are very prone to messy and annoying leaks. The valve cover seal replacement is an easy task, as shown in this technical article. |
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VANOS Oil Line and Solenoid Replacement
| One of the worst places for oil to leak is on top of the engine. Clean up that greasy mess and prevent it from happening again by replacing this oil line. |
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VDO Clock Repair
| Demick Boyden offers a neat little procedure for getting the tick back into your dashboard clock. |
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VDO Clock Repair #2
| If Demick's article on clock repair doesn't fix your clock, then you might want to try Mack Overman's tips and tricks... |
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| |
VDO Gauge Repair and Refurbishment
| This is a Pelican Technical Article covering the replacement of gauge faces, odometer repair, calibration checking, and module replacement. |
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Welding Primer & Review
| Many thanks to Mike Cooley and John Dunkle for writing this primer on welding. Check it out if you're interested in learning more about 'the black art of welding. |
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