99 z3 2.8l roadster

[Sijray21]

a small update:

i noticed a bit of wobble at higher speeds that seemed like the rotors were warped. i just got some basic pads (akebono) and brembo blanks for all four corners and installed those last weekend. i've never worked on a car that has wired pad wear sensors before and almost cut off the sensor cable because there was so much brake dust/crap caked in that area that i thought it was part of the pad itself. a little test ride to bed in the pads (not really much to do with these basic pads) had a much better feel, but the fluid definitely needs to be changed; i'll do that soon. i was actually able to find ate amber (which i thought was discontinued). i also wanted to test the brakes since the abs/asc light is on and the abs did not kick in (locked up the driver's front). just some info for diagnosing that issue for later.

a while back the plastic hood release mechanism broke, so i took that part and ordered the part i needed. i also ordered a metal lever instead of the plastic one for a better feel ($30).

i knew of a power steering leak that i was checking out when i did the brakes and i noticed a slight coolant leak (yay for old bmws). It seems to be the heater line going from the head to the interior core under the manifold... There was a really tiny leak in the expansion tank that i fixed with epoxy, but i doubt that'll last. if i need to take off the manifold to fix that heater line hose i'll likely replace a few other things including that expansion tank. i also talked with Boobies and he has the fan/water pump wrench set; one less tool i need to buy.

next up on the list aside from the coolant and power steering leaks is the front suspension. i'm going to order the full front refresh kit (LCAs, tie rods, bushings, etc.) soon and do that in the coming months after it comes in. i may as well get the konis and h&r springs as well, so that'll be on the order.