Most automotive hydraulic applications use a copper or aluminum washer for sealing. The idea is that the two surfaces are near perfectly flat and all that is needed is a hint of squished copper or aluminum. A small gouge, unevenness, or slop in the mounting threads can mean the squish of a copper or...
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If you have an early E30 (pre 10/87) your power steering line from the reservoir to the pump probably looks like this: The hose is held to the banjo by a worm style hose clamp: Post 10/87 has a banjo permanently crimped to the hose: If you check the ETK, there is no mention...
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A few years ago I wrote about common problems with the E30 central locking and how to fix them. Two of most common E30 Central locking/Power locking issues and how to fix them Well, its time to revisit the topic, because I have figured out the once and for all solution. You see, even...
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So you’re trying to get Techstream going, but you keep getting errors; let me help you solve all of them in one place.   Toyota Techstream 0xC0040001 Error – This error is due to a firmware limitation, there are generally two firmware versions of the J2534 connector. Version 1.4.1 and Version 2.0.4. To access...
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The cowcatcher airdam was only sold on IS and ES models in 87. The ‘is’ got a 4 slot model and the ‘es’ got a 2 slot model; behind the airdam was an oil cooler. IS airdam: ES airdam: The problem is that the brackets for this airdam are long NLA (no longer available)...
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Most results when searching topics about sway bars involve high level extrapolations about understeer, oversteer, body roll and preferences; all important but it doesn’t help to understand how sway bars actually work. Hopefully I can simplify it enough where it starts to make intuitive sense. The primary principle behind a sway bar is to...
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So you suspect a rattle in your exhaust system, but how do you know which heat shield or which component is the culprit? 95% of the time a true rattle that exhibits itself at certain RPM’s is attributed to a loose exhaust heat shield. The sound is most pronounced at specific RPM’s because of...
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A rotor screw is used to hold the rotor against the hub face without the wheel on. It is removed only when changing the rotor after removing the caliper carrier. Being so small, and in such a rust prone area however, it is very likely to become seized. This one screw often translates a...
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When removing the rear subframe on an E30, there is always a possibility that either of the two old bushings will be oxidized and therefore seized/stuck in the body. The OE subframe bushings are made up of an aluminum sleeve with a thick rubber coating around it. The aluminum sleeve protrudes at the top...
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Bringing it back to the basics this week. Changing brakes on any car with disk brakes is a routine maintenance item and is certainly a job for a novice DIY’er. However, for something so routine, there are multiple ways to perform the job. However, even though there are multiple ways to theoretically get to...
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