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Tech
Tips
100 Tips that will help keep your '02 happier (and safer):
GENERAL:
- Not driving an '02 is the worst thing you can do to
it.
- Always wave to other 2002 owners. If theirs is nicer,
you might consider saluting them. Either is best done
by dipping your high-beams.
- Use automotive grade hardware. You'll be thankful later.
- When buying an '02, check for excess engine movement.
More than mild vibration may indicate a broken frame
mount.
- Check the rear sub frame regularly. They have been
known to rust through even on otherwise rust-free cars.
This
can lead to a big, dirty job and parts are getting hard
to find. (box section
trailing arms on Tiis are especially susceptible to rust).
- A scissor-type jack is far more efficient and safer
than the one-legged original unit supplied by BMW.
Don't ever lift or jack a 2002 by the rocker panel jacking points. They're probably
rusted and weak by now -
use the sub frames.
- Replacing the front-lower door molding plastic clip
with the metal retainer used on the other end of the
molding, helps prevent the door trim from falling off
when opening the door.
- Do not discard the plastic cover when making door repairs.
Its job is to keep water out of the car.
- Check shifter mount bolts regularly. Loose bolts can
cause noise and difficulty shifting.
- To restore smooth acceleration action, clean grit from
under the pedals, lube the ball mounts and replace the
nylon bushing on the accelerator rod.
- Rebuilding a shifter with new springs and bushings
results in much better shifting.
- Drain your speedo cable. It collects water.
- To prevent rust, clear grit from under the front fenders,
especially on top of the turn indicators and from the
trailing edge.
- Use BMW or Mahle filters ONLY.
- A door lock that's sluggish in cold weather can be
lubricated by removing one or both screws that hold the
rubber
guide wedge on the door. Poke the extension wand of a can of WD-40 through the
screw holes and squirt. This saves taking the upholstery panels off just to lubricate
the lock.
- A door that is difficult to close properly that isn't
missing the little plastic latch bolt cap may have a
loose latch plate (the plate bolted to the door frame).
- With a little patience, you can remove the lenses from
a round taillight housing (note: real 02s only)
if you need to replate the chrome rim. Look for a small set screw on the inside
of the chrome rib that divides the lens segment. The set screw and sealer hold
the lens in place.
- A piece of ribbed, rubber-backed carpet cut to fit
the trunk will help prevent things from sliding around
under vigorous cornering (and that's all you do in an
'02, isn't it?) It's also
a good idea to pad the sides and back of the boot (pre-'73 models) to prevent
migrating objects from
denting the quarter and rear panels.
- Periodically peel back the carpets covering the front
wheel wells (under the dash, ahead of the doors) down
at the bottom to check for rust.
- A sloppy shift lever can be rebuilt for about $40 worth
of parts and a few hours time.
- If you normally park your car on an incline, make sure
the door drain holes are clear.
- Periodically lubricate the slides and pivot points
of the heater control cables under the dash. You don't
want to have to replace a broken cable!
- Make your stock driver's seat more comfortable by:
raising the front end of the seat track with 6-8mm thick
washers and by installing extra padding in the seat back
to give your lower back
more support.
- You can retrofit inertia reel seat belts to pre-'73
2002s.
- A bulky heater temperature control lever is often caused
by a sticking valve. It can be removed (but leave the
lever attached to the cable), dismantled, cleaned and
lubricated.
- Clean out the heater plenum chamber drain hoses regularly
(below the base of the windshield, where the wiper motor
lives). Prevents rust and water entry.
- Use tool handle dip on metal molding clips to prevent
rust.
- The next time your fuel tank is nearly empty, unbolt
it and remove it from the car to check the tank-to-body
seal for deterioration and rust.
- Lubricate your speedo cable periodically. They're a
nuisance to replace. Disconnect at both ends, and squirt
lubricant into the speedo end until it runs out the transmission
end.
- A good upholstery shop (emphasis on 'good') can use
the material from the (usually) unworn rear seat of a
parts
car to
repair
the
worn/torn center section of the driver's seat in your
car. Same goes for carpeting - use the unworn back seat
carpet from a parts
car to repair the front.
- Any time you have the interior upholstery panels off
the doors, clean out the insides, inspect for rust and
spray with rust proofing. Do the same for the quarter
panels.
- Any upholstery shop can replace the rotted cardboard
on otherwise good door panels.
- Use household carpet padding under carpets and under
and behind the back seat to lessen road noise. Filling
the space under the back seat with foam rubber packing
helps too.
- If you have a 1976, inspect the front floors carefully
for rust. For some reason, the 1976 cars are more prone
to rust than other years.
- Use anti-seize paste on any threaded fitting exposed
to weather or heat.
- If you have a sunroof, reroute the drain hoses. The
factory may have routed them into the rocker panels.
- The little plastic cap on the end of the door latch
(on the door) is what makes the door close easily. If
yours is missing, replace it with a short length of plastic
or rubber tubing.
- Use WD40 to displace water in hood, door and trunk
lid edge seams.
- Clean out the pedal box. Check for rust and debris
and enjoy smoother pedal action.
- Check the air pressure in your spare. Top it up well.
- Tail light gaskets are a frequent cause of water leaks
into the trunk.
- Not replacing broken door checks can cause jammed or
broken windows.
- Broken rivets cause most window mechanism failures.
Mercedes sells a repair rivet.
- NEVER slam doors. It's hard on door checks and windows.
- An in-line fuel filter can be spliced into a broken
fuel line to limp home.
- On long trips, carry a "ROAD KIT'' which includes
the following: Oil sender; Fuel hose; Assorted clamps;
Fuel
filter(s);
Fuses and Bulbs; Thermostat; Oil and Water; Water pump;
Alternator; Starter;
Belts and Hoses; Duct tape; Wire; Gasket in a tube; Coat hanger; Distributor
tune-up parts. Even without a "road kit'', at least
carry fuel filters!
- A smaller diameter steering wheel gives a quicker steering
feel.
- Grilles are easier to clean when they are off the car.
- Remove the bumpers and clean behind them annually.
- If a lock must be replaced, a locksmith can re-key
it to match the others.
- Use compressed air to blow moisture from behind
trim.
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