Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Casa de Mesa]

How many times have you guys re-used your driveshaft>diff. / axle>diff. bolts?

As we know the HW is extremely expensive, the axle bolts are $16 a piece ×12.

These are not torque to yield are they?
I plan on re-using mine for a 3rd time (under my ownership) and just using some blue loctite.

There are silver ones (33217571990) and black ones (33211227664). Both are M10X46. The silver ones hold the DS to the input flange on the diff. The black ones hold the axle to the diff output flanges (L/R).

I have heard and according to Bentley: The black ones do not need to be replaced every time. The silver ones are TTY and do.



However according to this thread, replace them:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/138249-rear-axle-cv-to-diff-bolts-replace-or-reuse

I replaced mine (black ones / 33211227664) the last time I touched the rear axle, but have run them more than once previously.

[Casa de Mesa]

Where are you sourcing this?

Yeah, I couldn't find a retailer either, definitely the right stuff.
May have to find an alternate product, might just shoot it with some lithium lubricant as there's not really a good way to pack grease into the tracks and they don't come apart.

I dug in a little more this morning:

https://www.nyelubricants.com/place-order

Small Volume Orders
Orders not meeting the Minimum Billing Policy of $750 and relevant case quantities should be placed through Nye’s authorized North American small volume distributor, TAI Lubricants, Inc., at +1.302.326.0200 or visit www.tai-lubricants.com.

...which brought me here:

https://www.tai-lubricants.com/

...but the Rheotemp 662 isn't listed. I'll send them an email.

sales@TAI-Lubricants.com

[duracellttu]

I know, that will be where I buy when I buy of course, but really wondering how necessary it is to replace these every single time per TIS.

As another data point I’ve reused my black driveshaft and axle bolts easily 4 or 5 times and had no issues. Might not be best practice but I never had a problem.

On the other side of the driveshaft you need to replace the nuts for all bolts attaching to the guibo every time.

[Slideways]

TIS states that those black torx bolts for the axles are 10.9 grade. My guess is BMW recommend replacing due to the high torque value on those bolts and it being an important fastener (loss of drive to one axle can be a safety issue). That being said, I asked a BMW independent shop and they reuse them.

[Casa de Mesa]

...but the Rheotemp 662 isn't listed. I'll send them an email.

sales@TAI-Lubricants.com

I emailed them yesterday, haven't heard back. But I did find this:

https://www.amazon.com/AGS-SIL-Glyde-Multi-Purpose-All-Weather-Lubricating/dp/B000KXLR5E?th=1

• Sil-Glyde Lubricating Compound A longer-lasting, high film strength protective lubricant for all surfaces
• Sil-Glyde will not melt, freeze, gum, or run off like silicone oils
• Performs from -20°F to 400°F (-28°C to 204°C)
• Use on rubber, metal, wood, glass, and plastic. Harmless to rubber and car finishes
• Suggested applications include trunk seals, rubber bumpers, speedometer cables, brake parts, window channels, hood strips and pads, rubber gaskets, and belts.

The cold operating temp and lack of run off is what caught my eye.

Plenty of people in other forums are suggesting white lithium grease.

[Sprp85]

Just had the manual conversion done.

A quick question about the shifter "feel".

Is the 5-6 gear gate/detent significantly weaker than 1-2 gear gate/detent?

[Casa de Mesa]

Heard back on Rheotemp:

Hi Casa,

The Rheotemp 600 is only available by the case. Here are the quantities:

case of 72 x 50-gram tubes
case of 12 x 400-gram fiber cartridges
case of 6 x kilo jars

Let me know if are able to use these quantities. If so, I can forward a quote.

Thanks again.

Unless there are 72 of us that want to do a group buy on seat lube... this is a non starter.

[Casa de Mesa]

Just had the manual conversion done.

A quick question about the shifter "feel".

Is the 5-6 gear gate/detent significantly weaker than 1-2 gear gate/detent?

Not really.

[SQ13]

Just had the manual conversion done.

A quick question about the shifter "feel".

Is the 5-6 gear gate/detent significantly weaker than 1-2 gear gate/detent?

1-2 should have weak resistance. 5-6 should have a bit more resistance. That’s how it is with both of my cars.

[Cronenberged]

Is the hinge on the rear quarter glass have its own part number, or is it part of the rear glass? I'm looking at possibly just attaching it to a poly window.

[Casa de Mesa]

Is the hinge on the rear quarter glass have its own part number, or is it part of the rear glass? I'm looking at possibly just attaching it to a poly window.

It's just part of the glass. Not the best vid but you'll get the idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZm8YRYGPc

Also, be careful not to drop the 10mm nuts down into the B-pillar. Fishing them out just becomes a headache.

[Lee_Enfield]

OK, I picked up a brand new steering wheel from a guy who bought it a few years ago for a build that never happened. Got a pretty sweet deal. I got it mounted up no problem but when seating the airbag, its seems to be canted to the right (passenger side). It does appear to be fully engaged in the springs/latches in the wheel but just wants to sit crooked. Any fix to this?

The new wheel looks pretty good as well by the way. Amazing how worn they get.

[toy4to]

There is a bracket that is likely bent and that causes this. There was a thread a while ago talking about this very issue.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/160041-steering-wheel-swap-can-t-get-airbag-to-sit-straight

OK, I picked up a brand new steering wheel from a guy who bought it a few years ago for a build that never happened. Got a pretty sweet deal. I got it mounted up no problem but when seating the airbag, its seems to be canted to the right (passenger side). It does appear to be fully engaged in the springs/latches in the wheel but just wants to sit crooked. Any fix to this?

The new wheel looks pretty good as well by the way. Amazing how worn they get.

[Lee_Enfield]

There is a bracket that is likely bent and that causes this. There was a thread a while ago talking about this very issue.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/160041-steering-wheel-swap-can-t-get-airbag-to-sit-straight

Yep, I took the plate out and tweaked it a bit and centered it right up. Thanks.

[zzyzx85]

Left for work this morning and the TPMS, Brake, and DSC light came on while I was driving slowly through the parking lot. A quick search says it's might be the steering angle sensor acting up? I just got to work and haven't checked to see if it's still there.

edit: went back to the car, fired it up, and no more lights. it was rainy this morning so maybe the belt slipped?