What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

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Originally Posted by 704sw

Pulled the front wheels to diagnose a clicking sound. Pretty sure one of the ball joints is shot. Also tried to go ahead and replace the tie rods. Much like everything on this effing car, the outer ends are completely seized to the front knuckles. I swear to god my next car is coming from Arizona.

I got pissed off and decided to start my prepping for the ceramic weekend. I guess I'm walking to the office tomorrow.

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Propane torch

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Originally Posted by 704sw

Wheels:
Iron-X, then Meg's Wheel Brightener, followed immediately with soapy water and clay bar (I like Zymol soap, it suds like crazy). Since they're basically new I'll skip the polish step. Then I'll hit it with CarPro Eraser in prep for the ceramic, and coat with Dlux.

Paint:
Iron-X, Zymol bath and clay, dry.
Then I'll wet sand and apply touch up in a couple places, and wet sand again after dry. Then Meg's 105 compound with a MF cutting pad in a few places, but otherwise a yellow pad. Follow that with M205 polish with a white pad. This should complete the correction.
I'll use CarPro Eraser to clean off any chemical residue from the polish, and then apply the ceramic.

I went with the GTechniq EXO + Crystal Serum Light (CSL) kit.

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Great info, thanks!

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Originally Posted by Vas

Propane torch

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not even... way easier. ;)

loosen ball joint nut. then, get a ball joint tool - either the pry bar type or the threaded-stud type - install and put the ball joint in tension, the tap the outside of the tie rod end (at the ball joint) with a 5lb sledge. you don't have to kill it, just tap it with some authority. it will come out.

living in the northern climate as long as i have... you learn these tricks.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Great info, thanks!

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Even in summer, additional heat really helps with touch-up paint. I'll wash, clay, and handle the touch-ups after work this evening. Then I'll leave some incandescent lamps shining on the areas overnight to expedite/reinforce the curing. Larry Kosilla (AmmoNYC) has a pretty great video on his paint touch-up method, which worked quite well on the X3 a couple years ago.

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Originally Posted by Vas

Propane torch

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Hank Hill would be proud of your recommendation. Unfortunately, I lack the necessary propane and propane accessories.

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Originally Posted by slater

not even... way easier. ;)

loosen ball joint nut. then, get a ball joint tool - either the pry bar type or the threaded-stud type - install and put the ball joint in tension, the tap the outside of the tie rod end (at the ball joint) with a 5lb sledge. you don't have to kill it, just tap it with some authority. it will come out.

living in the northern climate as long as i have... you learn these tricks.

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This will be helpful when I get to it. I guess I'll just order some Lemmy control arms from FCP today.

Two questions: I read somewhere the FCABs are single use, meaning even if the bushings are good/fresh, they're not intended to be used again if I swap the arms. Is this correct?

Second: is there a way to test the ball joints (read: confirm they are bad) without dropping the arm and moving the stud around like a joystick? This is, of course, assuming those aren't seized too.

New wiper blades. It had the Bosch icons and my OCD only allows the older model, original blades with the spoiler on the driver side blade. It's weird, I know.

Yesterday did some improvements to the ZHP's lair. Installed some roof shelving and some more wall shelving.




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Originally Posted by 704sw

Two questions: I read somewhere the FCABs are single use, meaning even if the bushings are good/fresh, they're not intended to be used again if I swap the arms. Is this correct?

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It should be reusable as long as you remove it as a unit, as in don't separate the bushing from the mount it's pressed into.

Installed a new fuel pump relay as preventative maintenance. Also wired up the AEs using a fuse tap and connecting it to fuse #23.

I did a thing
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...286ac5512b.jpg

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Originally Posted by 704sw

I did a thing
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...286ac5512b.jpg

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Silver cube trim n black cube trim you wilding

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Not a fan of black leather and black cube so great job.