Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[ATB88]

I need help with windshield wiper arm reinstallation -- specifically the weird plastic gaskets.

I replaced my windshield cowl a few months back, and while I was taking it apart I noticed that there were some cracked/crumbled up plastic washers where the wiper arm attaches to the cowl that needed to be replaced. So I looked up the parts and ordered them, but now have no idea how they go back together?

The gasket sets are different for either wiper -- there's this pair and this pair. They're slightly different but seem to serve the same function.

What I don't understand is how it all goes back together? Each set of washers is asymmetric (they come in pairs and in each pair one is different from the other), and it's not clear where in the stack of objects they go, in which order, and which way they face. I've looked up several youtube videos that go over cowl/wiper arm replacement and they don't talk about them at all.

Anyone know how these go together? Does one go underneath the cowl? Feel kinda dumb because I can do rod bearings but can't seem to figure this out ¯\_(ツ)/¯

For anyone confused about this in the future: Upon closer inspection, it turns out the new ones are built into the cowl lol.

[davidinnyc]

Contact cement. Nothing super special is needed here since it's tightly fitted. I used this for Alcantara https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-2590...5&sr=8-11&th=1

Thanks - going to pick up a tube of it today!

[Keith_MN]

I keep getting AAA mail, it seems every letter offers their best deal ever. My M3 is maintained as best I can and I'd call it "reliable" but it never really goes very far from home. My truck is a 2022 Toyota and my wife's car is still under warranty with free roadside. Interested in thoughts on AAA or some other such roadside assistance "plan". I'd like to know I could get a tow, but I can change my own tires and generally don't find running out of fuel a risk, hence my reluctance to get AAA or something like it.

Ime getting roadside assistance through your existing insurance carrier is cheaper and easier.

[zzyzx85]

AAA save my ass a few times lol. I have had two alternator die and one trip took almost exactly 50 miles to get it back (the other was 20 miles or so). Definitely saved me a costly tow. Both tow drivers were cool and had no problems with my lowered ride height (flatbed tow trucks both times).

(I have AAA insurance as well.)

[bavarian3]

Adhesive recommendation?

I purchased this illuminated shift knob used but it came without the shift trim plastic, so I had to purchase an old leather boot donor on eBay to pull the trim.

I'll clean up the really old, hardened combination of leather and adhesive, but what would be an appropriate adhesive to use to join the leather and the plastic?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Contact cement. Nothing super special is needed here since it's tightly fitted. I used this for Alcantara https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-2590...5&sr=8-11&th=1

[bavarian3]

AAA is good to have. Only thing is they always like to throw a fuss about the car being low.

[ATB88]

I keep getting AAA mail, it seems every letter offers their best deal ever. My M3 is maintained as best I can and I'd call it "reliable" but it never really goes very far from home. My truck is a 2022 Toyota and my wife's car is still under warranty with free roadside. Interested in thoughts on AAA or some other such roadside assistance "plan". I'd like to know I could get a tow, but I can change my own tires and generally don't find running out of fuel a risk, hence my reluctance to get AAA or something like it.

AAA's been invaluable to me on several occasions. Got a blown out tire up in the angeles national forest 30 miles from civilization that would have been a $300 tow. Also paid off big when I locked my keys in my g-body 911 which is resistant to the ways that techs usually get into locked cars, and they had to have a real locksmith come and cut a new key by hand on the spot.

[PSUEng]

I keep getting AAA mail, it seems every letter offers their best deal ever. My M3 is maintained as best I can and I'd call it "reliable" but it never really goes very far from home. My truck is a 2022 Toyota and my wife's car is still under warranty with free roadside. Interested in thoughts on AAA or some other such roadside assistance "plan". I'd like to know I could get a tow, but I can change my own tires and generally don't find running out of fuel a risk, hence my reluctance to get AAA or something like it.

[zzyzx85]

Do you guys know if this Bilstein strut needs to be inserted all the way in the knuckle until it hits the shoulder?

As you can see the strut wasn’t inserted all the way in the vehicle and im wondering if that’s normal or not.

nota : I purchased the car with them already on and am trying to unfuck some of the work done by the previous owner and the bilstein instructions are terrible.

I can't recall how the Bilsteins installed but it looks like there is one step on the lower part in the photo and I believe that's the step it rests on inside the knuckle. There should also be a tab or pin that slots into the knuckle.

[Bebop]

Do you guys know if this Bilstein strut needs to be inserted all the way in the knuckle until it hits the shoulder?

As you can see the strut wasn’t inserted all the way in the vehicle and im wondering if that’s normal or not.

nota : I purchased the car with them already on and am trying to unfuck some of the work done by the previous owner and the bilstein instructions are terrible.

[davidinnyc]

Adhesive recommendation?

I purchased this illuminated shift knob used but it came without the shift trim plastic, so I had to purchase an old leather boot donor on eBay to pull the trim.

I'll clean up the really old, hardened combination of leather and adhesive, but what would be an appropriate adhesive to use to join the leather and the plastic?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bagger]

First world problem - the door panel tweeter cloth has faded. Suggestions to make them black again?

I've used fabric spray paint in the past. Good enough for me.

[YYZ-M3]

First world problem - the door panel tweeter cloth has faded. Suggestions to make them black again?

[bmwfnatic]

bmwfnatic

Thanks for the tag, check my signature

[bavarian3]

I've been searching for places to import e46 m3 parts from Europe. What's the best website to do so?

bmwfnatic