Bimmerbill

Glad you found it in time, that could have been disastrous.

RXRodger

iTrader: (2)

One small update on this car. The outside drivers door handle quit working. Pulled the door panel off, found the linkage rod broken at the door latch. It broke where almost every one of these break, there is a flat slotted end on the otherwise round rod. This slot allows the inside mechanism to move the latch without moving the outside handle. The linkage broke right where the rod goes from round to flat. There is no good way to repair or replace this rod, so I needed a new latch assembly.

The latch was still good in one of my parts cars, so I robbed the entire latch assembly from the parts car. This is possible to do without removing the window and window regulator, but it is definitely not easy. The issue was compounded by the fact both cars had rounded out screws that hold the rear window track at the bottom of the track. I drilled out the one in the parts car, also drilled out the one in this car and had to drill it out to accept a screw to hold it back in place once finished.

To remove the old latch, I removed the screw described above in the bottom of the rear track. Unsnapped the old outside latch plastic rod connectors on the latch and lock. Removed the three torx screws that hold the latch in place. If you push hard toward the outside on the bottom of the track you can twist the latch around and between the track and inside door panel. It was much easier without a latch rod sticking up. Repeated the process to put the replacement in, but as I said it is very difficult to get the new latch assembly in with the door latch rod there. I finally got it around the window track and in place. If you have ever done this, you know how hard it is to get your hands to the correct place to engage the lock and latch rods back in place and snap the plastic holders back on the rods. Door panel back on, everything seems to work. I did take the time to apply white lithium grease on the latch assembly while I had it out. Hopefully this rod and the plastic holders hold up for a few more years.

Bimmerbill

Thanks Rodger for posting, something I have got to do very soon. How did you come out on your ball joint, new lower control arm are did you do the impossible and find ball joints that fit without replacing the arm?

RXRodger

iTrader: (2)

Bill, nothing yet. I have been busy racing lately so haven’t had much time. Some guy in here found a ball joint with the correct size and taper on the shank so i need to find that post so i can buy them and give it a try.

Bimmerbill

Please let me know also since I would like to replace my bushings.

RXRodger

iTrader: (2)

This car put me down a couple of months ago when the seals in one end of the steering rack blew out. Just poured out when added fluid. So I parked it until I could get time to address it. I robbed the rack off of one of my parts cars and threw it on this car. The boots were toast but I figured I could deal with that later. I put it on, did a quick alignment by just setting toe. I was 15 miles from town and I had forgotten to grab power steering fluid. I had a 5 gallon container of universal hydraulic fluid so i decided to use that. Figured I could change it out later. It works, but the steering is a little stiff with this fluid. Nice to have this back as my daily driver. 269,000 + miles on it and still running strong.

RXRodger

iTrader: (2)

It has been a while since I updated this thread. About the only update involved the front end again. I kept burning up the inside of the front tires even after setting the tow. After several looks I found slack in the inner tie rod that just wasn’t showing up obvious when I aligned it. This on a rack I just put in a year or so ago that was supposed to be rebuilt with new ones. Just can’t rely on the rebuild we get now. So replaced the inner tie rod and set the tow again and seems to be doing ok on tire wear finally. There is still something screwed up in the acumen somehow, the tires drag when backing up with wheels turned. Also there is still some popping that I can’t find, ball joints seem ok. But it’s driving every day so will get around to looking closer when I get the chance.

Bimmerbill

Good morning Rodger,
I would like to know what you find out on the popping. I have same noise occasionally and my frontend man just not sure. My tires are wearing fine and as of today not hitting the fender liner. Have a great day.
Bill

RudysSC

If anybody is going to get that thing buttoned up its you Roger. Sounds like you're getting your use/money's worth out of this thing and driving it on a daily basis!