Excited!

[selavia]

I ordered a bunch of parts from Arizona Autohaus; they finally came in and my exams end on the 22nd and I am sooo excited to install everything on the 23rd!!

Quick question: My tie rod / rack & pinion boots are shot; got replacement ones; as far as I know, (haven't consulted the book yet) you have to disconnect the tie rod from the hub assembly, and that will require that the car get an alignment, yes?

2nd Quick Question: I bought the concentrate BMW coolant; can I "mix" in the radiator, or should I mix in a separate container?

Also any pointers for the following work that is being performed:

Water pump
Thermostat
tie rod/rack pinion boots
serpentine / accessory belt
02 sensor
refilling the cooling system

 

[Doughnut]

Answer to 1st question:
No, u shouldent need a alignment beacause al your doing is taping out the ball joint to slip the new boot over, remember to hit the seat and not the top or bottom of the ball joint itself, read my"snapped stud" thread in the e30 3 series section, it is hard to get out with a hammer alone, so i got a mate to put downwards pressure on the tie rod via a crow bar hit it, and it sliped right out
2nd question:
What? are you changing the coolant, if yo are drain all the old (yukky) coolant out and mix the new cooland Separatly and add it to the radiator.

let me know what happens man.

 

[Big Daddy]

Whenever I mess with tie rods or front end parts I take measurements so that if I do change something I can put it back. I once replaced my steering rack and having taken good measurements I reinstalled it with new tie rod ends and when I had a shop check the front end alignment they said it was "right on".

You can mix the coolant in the radiator if necessary, use a 50/50 mixture. I usually take a gallon of coolant though and rour half into a container than refill the jug with water so that I have a 50/50 mixture in the jug.

 

[frolf]

I'm writing some final papers right now, it sucks big time. I will be done on wednesday though. My papers are due today, but my exams will be settled come wednesday evening. I, however, don't have any parts waiting for me.....

 

[Big Daddy]

I'm writing some final papers right now, it sucks big time. I will be done on wednesday though. My papers are due today, but my exams will be settled come wednesday evening. I, however, don't have any parts waiting for me.....

Well Dan, order some!

 

[selavia]

Dan. (Big Daddy)

I'm not sure I follow you; are you suggesting that I should replace the tie rods as well? The tie rods (inner and outer on both sides), control arms, control arm bearings were replaced when I bought the car(less than 40k miles ago), but the boots were never replaced. So, I don't think any of that stuff needs replacing. But in truth I'm not sure I follow what you are saying. Also, I think something tore my boot; only one is worn out and its worn out from the middle; looks like it started as a small hole and deteriorated from there; but the other side is in okay/good condition (looks worn with a few tiny cracks, but nothing is exposed); but I'm replacing both anyways.


And to Dan (frolf),
Good Luck with the end of semester crunch! And I love the new signature!


THanks guys, Sean

 

[Big Daddy]

No not if they do not need replacing, I was only suggesting should you remove your tie rods and need to check alignemnt. Are you replacing the boots on the rack and pinion? Are they leaking or just split? Here may be some helpful information Pelican Parts

 

[selavia]

they're just split.

I quickly glanced over that article; by looking at those pictures, I'm beginning to think I should ahve bought the clamps as well. I thought they were those universal kind and I could reuse. oops.
Sean

 

[selavia]

Can I use the clamps you get at home depot (the ones with a screw) or should I get the right ones for the boot?

 

[Doughnut]

get the right ones for the boot, save yourself the trouble, you can easily pick up the "original" clamps for your boots not very expensive from bmw

 

[MMLJTIGER]

Re: Wheel alignment

Hi there,

I believe that to remove the steering rack boot, you need to undo and remove the outer tie rod, because the small end of the boot won't fit over the outer tie rod end (where it connects to the knuckle/whel assembly).
As for OEM clamps for the boot, that's your call... It's not like it's a spinning part (like an axle boot)... Screw clamps are OK if you ask me.

Just my two scents...