[Tambohamilton]

Normally it's e-lsd action that munches rear pads...the wagon likely has much higher rear roll stiffness than the sedan, hence more tendency to one-tyre-fire, regardless of transmission type.

[BenFenner]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Did cutting it off and looping it work for you?

It sure did. Although I'm 99% sure I had to reset the service complaint. But I was able to do it the typical/easy way through the interface on the dash.

Somehow I manage to reset things, but then I ALWAYS forget how it's done.

The reset procedure is initiated by holding down the trip odometer reset button on the gauge cluster. Don't forget.

Originally Posted by rothwem

As for the fronts wearing faster than the rears, I found that my manual sedan made the rears last a lot longer than my auto wagon did. I guess there's engine braking on the rears already so the car puts less power to the brakes? Hack theory I know, but it's the only good reason I can think of.

Strange about the difference between the transmission types. I'll take any theory I can get right now.

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Normally it's e-lsd action that munches rear pads...the wagon likely has much higher rear roll stiffness than the sedan, hence more tendency to one-tyre-fire, regardless of transmission type.

Another fun theory!

Although I'm not sure this car has an e-LSD? I just assumed it did not because of those one-tire-fires you mentioned. Although those have basically stopped now that I have the wide and sticky rubber out back.

[Tambohamilton]

I think they all have it, except the M cars with their proper mechanical LSDs. Elsd will only apply a certain maximum brake pressure to the offending wheel, so it's definitely possible to overcome it. And it can of course be coded out if you really like to wreck rear tyres needlessly

[BenFenner]

Fix exhaust leak by O2 sensors | Album

This was an obnoxious 11-day repair. It just took forever to grind and drill my way through the rusted hardware. I broke a few drill bits, and even learned how to sharpen them myself with a rotary cut-off wheel out of pure necessity.

It seems the gaskets between the lead-pipes and the mid-pipes finally failed, causing quite the loud driving experience. The hardware (studs and nuts) were rusted beyond all usefulness, and the OEM replacements came as a set of bolts and nuts, which makes me wonder if the studs were superseded because of this issue and the bolts are the now preferred solution. Either way, it was the right idea, since those rusted studs just had to come out.

While I was under there with a good portion of the exhaust removed, I found a heat shield retainer that was missing, as well as an extremely rusted flange nut holding up one of the exhaust hangers. I ordered new ones (and some extras) and they came in the mail before I was even finished drilling out those obnoxious rusted studs.

When it was time to bolt things down, it made sense to me to use some washers, so I picked up some stainless steel stuff from the local parts store.

I'm pleased to say this fixed the problem right up, and the car is pleasantly quiet again.


Parts:
$41.71 | OEM exhaust gaskets for between the lead-pipes and the mid-pipes (set of 2) | 1810759447
$8.05 | OEM exhaust bolt (×4) | 07119906928
$5.97 | OEM copper exhaust nut (×4) | 18301737774
$3.55 | Dorman 9.5mm (M10) stainless steel washers | 784-334

$6.17 | OEM heat shield retainer (×5) | 07146949380
$3.45 | OEM exhaust hanger flange nut | 07143413174


Pics:

[tlow98]

Wow, don’t see many rust issues with these. Bummer.

I prolly would have wussed out and paid for that one.

[BenFenner]

It's just a shame my torch was not hot enough. If only I'd had the right tools. =/

[Reviewers]

Looks good.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

It's just a shame my torch was not hot enough. If only I'd had the right tools. =/

Sentiments like this are what led me to buy a vintage white label Wilton vise ("Snap-On"). 6.5" jaws and it just makes everything so smooth and easy to work on.

But yeah, exhaust work...is exhausting. Sry, had too.

[Tambohamilton]

Nice tools are nice, it's true!

And fuck anyone who harps on about 'only a bad workman blames his tools'...

[BenFenner]

New rear hatch roundel | Album

As you can see, the BWM emblem on the wagon's rear hatch has seen better days. The new one isn't nearly as thick (deep) as the old one, so BMW must have simplified their parts production on these. It looks great, so we're happy.

Sorry the best "after" pics I have are from the album where we are building a catio.


Parts:
$34.78 | OEM roundel for E91 hatch | 51147166076
$2.51 | OEM roundel grommet (×2) | 51141807495


Pics:

[BenFenner]

I'm being told by a few people that the old emblem that I removed was non-genuine, and likely an eBay special. This explains the difference between what I removed and the new unit installed.
Good info to have.

[sk1939]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

Hauling pallets | Album

I'm making a zoo-like enclosure for our indoor/outdoor cats. It's a long story.
I'm using a lot of free pallet wood for it. This is just one load of many.
I learned very quickly this is the stupid way to do this. The much better way is to quickly break the pallets down at the place where you are picking them up, and then load them into/onto the car that way. You can get a lot more wood, much faster this way. Make sure to have some type of pallet busting tool, as a crowbar or claw hammer will take you hours and make you miserable. I use the Eizzy Bar Pro (manufactured locally), but pretty much any of the good ones out there will work.

Cordless circular saw works great.

[BenFenner]

Wash car | Album

I know my wash game is weak, and infrequent. I'm working on it... =/


Pics:

[sk1939]

Well at least you have help washing. I always get "hey can you clean the bird poop off my car"?

[BenFenner]

Not sure how much help I'll get in the future. Apparently using 4 sponges, going top-to-bottom, washing in the direction of travel, and making sure the hoses don't rub the car when moving them around was WAY TOO COMPLICATED and I'm on my own form now on.

[M-technik-3]

Mine won't even take her's through the touchless drive through.

[BenFenner]

At Charleston house | Album

Nothing interesting, just some pics at the inlaws' vacation house. Seems like we just washed it, and now it's filthy again.

I have no idea what the next wagon update is. I actually have a bunch of updates coming up for my MTB build that I need to get through before I get back to anything for the wagon.
If you'd like to follow along with the bike build, here yah go: BenFenner's 2017 Surly Troll


Pics:

[BenFenner]

Wash car | Album

Sorry for the ultra-boring updates. It seems I'm in a cycle of washing the car, getting it filthy, then (hopefully) washing it again.
I promise things will get much more interesting around here soon. I think I have some real work coming up.


Pics:

[rothwem]

I'm not sure if you realize, but your wheel offset is a large contributor to the dirtyness behind your fender wells.

[K9Leader]

Yes, I know they are not "cool" but splashguards really do help keep it clean and keep down the paint chipping/damage. I have them on both front and back of my E91. I couldn't get the OEM as not being made any longer but the set I got off of the auction site fits well and does the job.

[IMG][/IMG]

[nsjames]

my winter wheels have stupid uncool offsets for this exact reason.

it's tolerable in the summer.

but in the winter wide wheels with low offset in the front just destroy the side of the car.


and mud flaps on wagons are cool.

[solo118]

Originally Posted by BenFenner

At Charleston house | Album

Nothing interesting, just some pics at the inlaws' vacation house. Seems like we just washed it, and now it's filthy again.

I have no idea what the next wagon update is. I actually have a bunch of updates coming up for my MTB build that I need to get through before I get back to anything for the wagon.
If you'd like to follow along with the bike build, here yah go: BenFenner's 2017 Surly Troll


Pics:

Call me crazy, but your car looks amazing when it is dirty. Something very special about wagons, that not too many people "get" However seeing a wagon in stick like this would make my day!