30 June 2016

My frustration with Amazon and UPS

I ordered H&R springs for my 2002 BMW 530i through Amazon.

The first package arrived in warehouse and has been stuck in the Arrival Scan status for a week and I never received the package. I contacted Amazon and they kept telling me to wait another day, and another...UPS told me contact Amazon and there is nothing they can do.

This is the second time UPS has lost or stolen my package in a week. The first package said it was delivered but we never found it on our porch or mailbox. It wasn't until I told UPS I was going to file a police claim did UPS call me and Amazon issued a replacement order.

I received the replacement two days, but Amazon sent me the wrong springs. Not only where they wrong, they were used. The box had been damaged and the all the shipping labels from the first shipment was cutout. I ordered 29742 Sport Springs and Amazon shipped me Subaru 29472 Springs.

I can't believe Amazon's customer service and how they could sell used items as new. This is just unethical. Now I have to ship this package back and wait for Amazon's customer service to get back to me.

The springs listed as "new"

Completely wrong springs
#Amazon #UPS

Update 1: Amazon customer service got back to me and said I needed to repurchase the item and they will refund me the shipping cost. The item price has gone up dramatically and Amazon is asking me to pay the extra for their screw up.


DIY: Brake Fluid Flush on BMW E39 5 Series

How to change brake fluid on a BMW E39 5-Series using the Motive European Power Brake Bleeder w/ Adapter


BMW recommends flushing brake fluid every two years for everyday street driving.

Tools: 
Parts:
Recommended:
  • Shop rags or towels to place around brake reservoir and underneath brake caliper for spills.
Steps:
  • Break torque on wheel lugs using 17 mm socket and ratchet
  • Safely jack up E39 and place on jack stands.
  • Remove lug nuts and wheels. 
  • Pop open hood and locate driver side cabin air filter tray.
  • Use a flat head screw driver and push down on the plastic tabs to disconnect air duct. (Red)
  • Unclip metal latch holding air filter cover. (Purple)
  • Remove air filter tray cover. (Yellow)
  • Remove cabin micro filter. 
  • Remove rubber trim around cabin filter tray. 
  • Disconnect electrical plug from hood sensor. (Green)
  • Squeeze and remove metal clip from screw holding tray to body of vehicle. (Blue)
  • Lift and remove cabin air tray.
  • Now you have access to the brake fluid reservoir.
  • Open reservoir cap (red circle) and suck out old brake fluid with a turkey baster. 
    • Place rags or towels around reservoir to soak up spills. Brake fluid will damage and remove paint. 
  • Fill brake reservoir to max with new DOT 4 brake fluid. 
  • Dump remaining brake fluid into Motive brake bleeder. 
  • Install adapter to brake fluid reservoir.
  • Pump brake bleeder to 15 psi.
  • Go to right rear brake caliper and locate the brake bleeder nipple. 
    • Now is a good time to inspect brake lines for any wear, rot, or damage. 

  • Remove cover from bleed screw and attach hose from bleeder bottle. 
    • If using 9 mm box end wrench, place it on bleed screw before attaching hose from bleeder bottle.
    • I sprayed penetrating oil on the screws for ease of loosening. 
  • Loosen bleed screw and wait until all the air bubbles and dirty brake fluid has left the hose.
    • Look for new, clear brake fluid before tightening bleed screw. 

  • Remove hose and reinstall cover. 
  • Pump Motive power bleeder to 15 psi.
  • Repeat the process for the left rear caliper, right front caliper and finally the left front caliper.
    • Make sure power bleeder is at 15 psi before each bleed. 
  • When completed, remove pressure from the power bleeder side and fill reservoir to max. 
  • Reinstall reservoir cap.
  • Reinstall cabin micro filter tray and rubber trim piece. 
  • Reinstall and torque wheels.
  • Jack and remove jack stands to lower E39. 
  • Test the brakes by moving a few feet before going on a drive. 
Notes:
Buy two 1-Liter bottles of brake fluid. One should be enough, but you want to have an extra liter in case of spills or shortage of fluid.

Gently loosen and tighten the brake bleed screws, it is easy to strip and damage them.

It is normal to have air bubbles in the hose from the power bleeder to the reservoir during fluid flush process.

Cover all areas where brake fluid may spill. Brake fluid will strip paint.

Minimize the amount of time new brake fluid will be exposed to air. Brake fluid is hygroscopic so remove the reservoir cap only when necessary. Properly dispose of any opened brake fluid bottles if not using in the near future.

This tutorial may apply to other BMW models.

I don't think the previous owner ever changed the brake fluid or within the past five years. The old brake fluid was extremely nasty and almost black.