It often seems that coolant is one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind maintenance items even for most DIY mechanics. Especially with modern coolants that have extended lifespans of 5 years or...
Several months ago I replaced the front struts on a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc. The struts were shot and I skimped on replacing any of the other components as they seemed to “look” ok. For months it bugged me and after doing some research I decided to replace the strut bearings + mounts as they typically...
An endurance race is true test of man and machine. It takes a reliable car, a strategy, money, and a team. Having FCP Euro on our team has helped get us the parts that (hopefully) will get us through 18 hours of grueling racing. But you can't just have a reliable car. The people behind the...
There are two times of year that usually have me changing the cabin filter on my cars: Pollen season and leaf season. But if you have an E39 like the BMW 525i, you should probably take the job one step further. One of the E39’s known design weaknesses is the compartment that houses the brake...
Whenever an automotive manufacturer produces a vehicle, they publish what is called a Factory Service Manual (FSM). The FSM provides step-by-step procedures for completing maintenance and repair tasks on that make or family of cars. The FSM is used by the technicians at the dealership to perform...
Many a DIY'er has been there before - you've just completed several hours of hard labor replacing several key suspension components and all you have to do is get the wheels on before you can drive off in to the sunset when disaster strikes! What type of disaster? None other than a stripped thread...
Sway bars are critical to good handling in corners. They connect the suspension components on either side of the car and help the vehicle ride flatter through curves. As a car starts to lean outward in a turn, the load on the outside wheel's suspension components creates torsion in the sway bar....
During a rainy week I noticed water coming in around the front dashboard area. It seemed to be coming from the headliner near the top of the windshield in a few spots, mostly from right above the rearview mirror. I kept a hand towel nearby to protect the area when the car was parked but noticed...
While leading our class at Watkins Glen during the second 9-hour race with American Endurance Racing on April 24, our BMW E30's engine stopped working. It was pulling hard in 4th gear going up the esses and then, BANG! After getting towed back to the pits and pulling the valve cover, we diagnosed...
Has your Saab 9-3 rear window strip seen better days? Mine was disintegrating and becoming an eye sore: Ordering a new strip for a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc (SAAB 12789697) helped me figure out how this attaches to the rear window. The c-channel attaches to the window while the rubber flap helps to...
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