Differential Pinion Flange Repair – BMW F Body

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Differential Pinion Flange Repair – BMW F Body

The other day our new customer brought their BMW 528i xDrive to us and were able to perform a Differential Pinion Flange Repair. To back up a little, our customer had their BMW at the dealership about 5 days ago and were already having issues days after picking it up. For example, the issues included a heavy knocking check engine light, driveshaft flex joint (guibo) issue, thermostat faults, and a number of other problems.

Repairs

We were about to diagnose the thermostat, knocking faults, and other issues. The only thing we’ll say is, use a torque wrench at 19 Ft Lbs / 26nm is necessary when replacing spark plugs. For the flex joints the dealership did tell them that the front and rear joints needed replaced. We removed the exhaust, then the driveshaft flex joints, and last the driveshaft supports. We then noticed that the differential input flange was the cause of the guibo failure. As you can see from the video below, there was an obvious issue.


 

Firstly, we removed the Differential Pinion Flange 48mm nut, buffer seal, and rubber washer. Secondly, we pulled the repair kit that we keep in stock. The BMW Part No. is 33127607158 / 33 12 7 607 158. Additionally, this is in the BMW part catalog as “Differential Cover Repair Kit – BMW (33-12-7-607-158)”. The full install guide is located here.

Notes:

  • Read this entire guide in the link above. You MUST NOT move the larger 12pt nut on the differential or serious damage may occur to the differential.
  • The only way to obtain a new flange is to order an entirely new driveshaft.

After all the repairs were complete, we test drove the vehicle. Now their BMW drives very nice now.

For more information on how to get your BMW in the shop for some service, or maintenance, contact us at 425-254-0627. You can also schedule an appointment or receive a quote by clicking here. Meister Werks European & Import is located one block south from The Renton Landing in Renton, WA, across the street from the former Boeing Store and at the westside of the Paccar / Kenworth plant.

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Aftermarket Auto Warranties – Why They Are A Scam

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From time to time customers ask us if we accept Aftermarket Auto Warranties for their vehicle.  Unfortunately, we do not work with these companies. We use to work with them quite a bit. However, over the years, these companies have been difficult to work with.  Here is a comprehensive guide on all the ins and outs on how these companies work, what to expect and what you need to know when planning on purchasing one.

What are Aftermarket Auto Warranties?

The first question you might be asking is, what are Aftermarket Auto Warranties? When purchasing a used car from either the dealership or used car lot, they may offer you a warranty for an additional fee. Most used cars are ‘As Is’ with no warranty. This is where these warranties comes in.  Sometimes dealerships such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi will sell certified pre-owned vehicles. If they are still within the factory warranty timeline, they will still retain a factory warranty. If they are out of that factory warranty they defer to an aftermarket. So, please make perfectly clear with your sales rap, before purchasing a used vehicle.

Companies, such as CarMax, use a third party company called Assurance. Other dealers use different companies as well. The reason being, they would have to classify their businesses as an insurance company which separates the two entities. For example, other third party Aftermarket Auto Warranty companies are Complete Car Warranty, and Concord Auto Protect, just to name a few. Even the commercials you see on T.V., with Ice-Cube promoting CarSheild uses a third party entity. This is a completely different entity called American Auto Shield.

The aftermarket warranties are not the same as manufacturer’s warranty. They are third party, private companies that are in business to be profitable. America’s free market dictates that they can conduct business to be profitable, which we fully support. However, the way in which they conduct business is questionable at best. They are in business to pay the least amount possible, so they can be as profitable. This rolls in into our next topic.

How Aftermarket Auto Warranties are Presented & Sold

Some dealership that sell these, use tactics that are borderline fraudulent. A sales rep may tell customer that you are buying the “The Best” or “The Platinum” policy. They may say that it covers everything. This is often not the case. These plans have many options. Some include, ‘Internal Engine Only’, ‘Engine & Drivetrain’, and/or Fully Vehicle Coverage’ plans. Each company has their own legal terms and agreements, so these will all vary. The better the plan, the more they cost. Rarely, some plans also include maintenance plans. These cover oil changes, flushes and wear items such as belts, Bushings, and timing chains . Make sure you know exactly what you are purchasing before you agree to pay. Most premium warranties are around $3000-$4000 depending on coverage.

For Example

One of our Meister Werks employees recently purchased a used Mercedes. The sales rep tried to sell them one of these plans. It was almost $8,000 on top of the vehicle cost. They declined it, but it was insanely expensive. Most of the time the sales rep will markup the price on the warranty and will take the rest of the money for themselves. So, if you decide to purchase one, don’t pay too much.

It is our opinion (and much less money) to open a savings account and have $50-100 transferred to that account every two weeks. IF you can find a savings account that compounds interest, you will actually make money on your deposits. If you deposit $100 every two months, in a year, you will have around $2600. This is the average yearly cost to maintain and repair a standard European vehicle. If you don’t need to use the money, just let it keep growing. A used car will eventually need a large repair.

Keep reading and we’ll explain why this is a better option.

Your car breaks down & it’s time to use the warranty…

If you have purchased a warranty and your car just broken down. Here is how it all works.

  1. Firstly – The Breakdown

    You bring your car in and the repair facility diagnoses the problem.

  2. Secondly – Diagnostics

    The shop will write a quote based off the findings.

  3. Thirdly – How it really works

    The repair shop contacts the warranty company, typically on a 1-800 number. Some companies use a website, which is much easier and faster. Here is what happens:

    1. How Our Last Warranty Went

      I personally did for a customer, I was on the phone for 2-1/2 hours, most of this was waiting on hold. I had to give them every minor detail about the diagnostics, methods, and techniques on how we found the problems. Which is fine, and I understand why. However, this also included submitting very detailed photos of the leaks, VIN number and odometer reading. THEN, we had to call them back after these were submitted. When I got another rep on the phone, they told us why they were not going to pay the claim. The main reason was because we could not show them a leak that was deep inside the engine. As you know, most modern engines can be impossible to see where leaks are coming from. Furthermore, if we take the engine apart – we are not guaranteed and kind of approval from the warranty company or the customer. For which, we may not get paid for the service we just provided.

    2. Approval & Labor Rates

      The items they did approve, were based off a Meister Werks old hourly rate that was posted on some obscure website. This was posted over 6 years ago. On top of that, they said, if they were going to pay our currently hourly rate which was 25% less. Also, they said if they were to pay that out, ‘WE’ would have to call the questionable website and have them to change our hourly rate. This was absolutely absurde.

    3. Labor Times Pricing Payouts

      The labor times most repair facilities use are list by the manufacturer via special software. Many labor times do not include other procedures to access the part or remove components. These warranty companies do not read though the instructions and will just pull the labor time for that listing. Most of the time, these instructions list prerequisites before starting the actual repair. For example, to replace the turbo oil lines on a 2013 Mercedes C240, the instructions say First – remove drive belt. Then – remove alternator. This was an additional 1.75 hours for both. This labor time is not included in the repair of the turbo oil lines, which was listed at 0.6 hours. This give us no choice but to either eat the labor time or charge the customer the additional labor time to perform this repair. Almost every warranty job we performed required us to charge additional fees to the customer to make up for labor time that the warranty company would not pay for.

    4. Part Numbers

      To add to the insane policies of this company, they had to have every Mercedes part number, even though some of the parts were OES from the OE manufacturer. Such as Bosch, Hella, Continental, and Bilstein, just to name a few. These parts do not necessarily use the same part numbers as the manufacturer. Nevertheless, we still had to look up every single part number.

    5. How They Get Part Pricing

      The warranty company will only pay the list price. The adjuster said he was basing this off internet pricing and was actively looking for prices online. Furthermore, the prices were the cheapest aftermarket parts he could find. This is another reason we stopped doing warranty work. The prices they are finding are sometime less than what we buy the parts from wholesale and the lowest grade possible.

  4. Fourth – The Catch

    After the warranty company has complied all the parts needed, they will check all the labor times.Labor times are all based off what the industry calls ‘Book Time’. The problem with book time is it sometimes does not include all the information to complete certain repairs. For the example on the repair we were performing, we had to replace all of the turbo line seals. The book time to complete this was 2.1 hours. However to access this area, we had to remove the alternator. The book time on the alternator was 1.6 hours. These times are never calculated together and the warranty company do not read the instructions. If there are any additional times that need added, they will not do this and only cover the actual book time repair.

  5. Last – Customer Still Pays

    This leaves customer to pay for the additional work to complete the repair that should be included, but is not. In order try and get them to pay, we would have to argue with the adjuster and tell them how the repair is completed. Most of the time they believe they know more than us and will still not pay. This is just another reason why we do not do warranty work. The customer always had to pay for something and the companies would only pay a fraction of what they should.

In Conclusion

We will do Aftermarket Auto Warranties repair work under these circumstances. The customer pays everything up front, then has to submit the invoice to the warranty company after the repair are complete. We will not call these companies or get approvals. This will be the obligation of the customer and to find out if they can do this with their policy. This is so we do not have to charge the customer for additional paperwork. Also, this is so we do not have to tell the customer that it is not approved on their plan. If there are any disputes, we do not want to be the ‘Bad Guy’ telling you that they will not cover the work. Most of the time they will not cover everything and/or will not pay the hourly rate it takes to complete the job correctly. Not every company does it the same way so you will have to contact them and ask if you may submit the invoice after the work is completed.

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What are Mercedes Service A & B?

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What is a Mercedes Service A & Service B?

Mercedes Service A and Service B are essential maintenance services. These services keep your Mercedes-Benz in optimal condition. A & B Services typically includes an oil change, fluid level checks and corrections, tire inspection and rotation, brake inspection, and a thorough overall inspection of the vehicle. On the other hand, Service B covers a more comprehensive range of services, including all the items in Service A, as well as cabin dust and combination filter replacement, brake fluid exchange, and more extensive checks and maintenance.

When you have these services performed at Meister Werks, it offers several benefits. Meister Werks European specializes in European car maintenance, including Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Our highly trained German technicians have the experiences you count on for your Mercedes. Specifically servicing, maintaining, and repairing Mercedes vehicles. This ensures that your car is in capable hands.

Moreover, at Meister Werks European, you can expect top-quality customer service and personalized attention to detail. The technicians understand the specific needs of Mercedes vehicles. We use genuine OEM and OES parts. This will ensure that your car receives the best care possible. Additionally, when we perform your A and B Services, you will be confident that your car’s warranty will not be compromised.

Dealer Level Service at a Affordable Price

The dealership alternative service we offer are often more cost-effective than the same service that the Mercedes-Benz dealership offer. Despite the lower cost, you can trust that the quality of service provided is on par with the dealership. With access to advanced diagnostic equipment and specialized tools, Meister Werks European can ensure efficient and accurate servicing of your Mercedes vehicle.

Furthermore, choosing a specialized facility like Meister Werks is important. Your vehicle will be always be given the attention that it deserves. The technicians are well-versed in the intricacies of Mercedes vehicles. We will detect and address any potential issues before they turn into costly problems. By having your A or B Services performed at Meister Werks, you’re investing in the long-term investment for your Mercedes-Benz.

In conclusion, getting your Mercedes Service A and Service B done at Meister Werks European in Renton, WA, is a wise choice. With their expertise, attention to detail, cost-effectiveness, and dedication to customer satisfaction, you can be confident that your vehicle will receive the best possible care, ensuring its longevity and optimal performance.

Contact us

For more information on how to get your XXX, please call 425-254-0627. You can also email us by clicking here. Meister Werks European & Import is located one block south from The Renton Landing in Renton, WA, across the street from the former Boeing Store and on the westside of the Paccar / Kenworth plant.

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Renton European Auto Repair

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At Meister Werks in Renton, Wa, we understand the importance of European car repair for owners of high-performance vehicles, and we take pride in providing top-notch services to keep your car running at its best. Our experienced technicians have the knowledge and expertise to handle everything from routine maintenance to complex repairs on European cars such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen. We use only high quality parts and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your vehicle receives the best possible care. We are committed to providing exceptional service and building long-term relationships with our customers, so you can have peace of mind knowing your car is in the hands of trusted professionals. At Meister Werks, we are passionate about European cars and are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your investment. Contact us today to schedule your next service appointment.

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Porsche Squeak Brakes – Explained

Porsche Brake Pads Squeak – Explained

Squeaky Porsche brakes is a topic that comes up a lot here at Meister Werks. In some instances, days or weeks after the pads and rotors were replaced. There are many reasons that cause this. According to Porsche it’s not a bad thing. We fully understand where Porsche is coming from. Here is a very scientific TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) video on why your Porsche brakes may squeal…. sometimes.

At Meister Werks, we use high quality components when servicing your brakes. Sometimes even the highests quality parts will squeal from time to time. Here is a list of the reasons why you may be getting brake squeal.

Glazed Rotors

Porsche brakes are designed to be used. Since they are classified as performance brakes, they need to be used this way. If you are very light on the brake pedal, aka brake far before you should, this will leave a very minute amount of dust on the disc brake rotors. Furthermore, riding the brakes (having your foot on the brake pedal when you shouldn’t be breaking) will cause this to happen very rapidly. This unnecessary friction causes heat, coupled with brake pad dust, will cause it stick or bond tightly to the rotor. This is essentially making a sticky glossy surface causing the squeal. Think of a new sneaker on a freshly polished basketball court. Brake disc rotors must to be a slightly rough for brakes to perform optimally, without noise. To ‘deglaze’ the rotors, there are methods of braking to clean the disc from this coating. Later discussed in this article.

Corrosion on the Brakes

Do you experience squeaking or squealing first thing in the morning? Maybe while backing up or while driving for the for only a few minutes? One of the few reasons the brakes squeak is due to corrosion. Yes, hours, sometimes minutes after parking your Porsche, the raw steel rotors will start forming a very thin layer of iron oxide, aka rust. This is a chemical reaction between 2 elements. Iron, the material the disc brake rotors are made of, and the oxygen that is in the air. If rain or water is present, this will accelerate the corrosion process. Since water has 2 oxygen molecules, causing the reaction to take place more rapidly.  Furthermore, salt air or water will accelerate this process even faster, due to more of the dissolved ions. This means electrons can move faster. Since rusting is all about the movement of electrons, iron rusts more quickly with salt air or water than fresh water or air. Using your brakes 2-3 times will typically clear the discs from the corrosion or rust.

Cold Brakes

The same experience with squealing brakes, first thing in the morning, can also be due to cold brakes. Porsche brakes are performance brakes, just shy of what racing cars have. The compounds Porsche uses are designed to perform when they are warm or even hot. A cold brake pad or disc can cause squealing. Again like when corrosion is present, using the brakes will increase the heat, causing the squeaking to go away. This sometimes takes a little longer, 5 minutes of driving may dio the trick, but we’ve seen up to 15-20 minutes with some brakes. If you have glazed brakes, this will not go away and the deglazing process will be needed.

Deglazing Brakes

By now you are probably asking, “How the heck do I deglaze my disc brakes?” The process is quite easy and usually will yield results on the first or second pass. First, you’ll want to be traveling on a road that is void of any people, traffic, or cars in front or behind you. Second, you’ll need to have a safe stretch of road to get up to 20-25 mph. 1/8 of a mile or more is best. Accelerate your Porsche up to approx. 30-35 MPH and push the brake pedal hard. If you can get the ABS to kick on, this will also help the deglazing process. We highly suggest not performing this procedure in the rain or poor weather conditions. Furthermore, if you do not feel comfortable doing this, Meister Werks will be to deglaze your brakes for you during a test drive at your scheduled maintenance, free 30pt inspection or repair.

Here is a before and after video from the Tulsa, OK Porsche dealership:

Maintaining Your Brakes While Driving

We highly suggest using your brakes like they are meant to be used. I know this might sound weird. What we really mean is don’t brake 1/4 mile before you need to. Use firm brake pedal pressure when stopping. Riding your brakes or stopped well before you need to is probably the worst thing to do for your disc brakes. Keep this in mind when driving. Remember, your Porsche likes being driven. When you follow these rules above, your Porsche will be much happier and you can eliminate any brake noise in the future.

 

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Info about Fix-A-Flat tire repair

Fix-A-Flat tire repair is not good for the environment, your wheels or tires. It contains Hydrocarbons (Tetrafluoro), similar to the air conditioning refrigerant in your vehicle. When exposed to moisture, it becomes corrosive.

It can corrode the paint inside your wheel, the aluminum wheel itself, and/or any electronics inside, such as tire pressure monitor sensors (TPMS).

Tire repair with Fix-a-Flat Is not permanent and is not a permanent tire repair. If you choose to use this, the product is only meant to keep you rolling up to 100 miles. This will let you repair the tire properly. It will not help you in a “blow-out”, which usually involves separation of the tread from the tire and large, gaping holes in your tire.

If you have a spare tire, please opt to use that rather than a quick fix. It may save you hundreds, and in some circumstances – thousands of dollars.

Click here for directions to our shop. To schedule an appointment, click here.

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Custom Vehicle Rendering

Custom Vehicle Rendering

Here at Meister Werks we want you to see a Custom Vehicle Rendering. This will show you exactly how your vehicle will look after receiving our custom treatment. We can manipulate a photo of your vehicle to have different wheel sizes, colors and styles. Another thing we can do is show you different colors of powder coated brake calipers. Furthermore, we can even lower the vehicle to mimic the exact look of springs, coilovers or airbags on your vehicle.

To get a rendering of your vehicle, we will need a parts deposit before starting on a render. After which, we will provide you with an animated gif photo. Just like the one seen here, private link and password to our website to show you – and only you – exactly what it will look like.

Even though we do not provide the following services in house, we can also apply a wrap color, window tint and more. See out custom shop page for just a fraction of what we can do for you. Contact us to find out more about what we can do for your car.

About Us

The owner and of our company, Dave Meister, has always been a car enthusiast. Since age 16, he’s had a passion for modifying and working on European cars.  What is now Meister Werks began in 1997. With Dave manufacturing and selling custom gauge faces to fellow car enthusiast friends with VW, Audi, and Porsche vehicles.

As our business has grown over the years, our products and services have expanded as well to keep up with customer demand. Now a full service shop, Dave and his staff will take the time to explain your vehicle’s needs to ensure you have a confident and positive experience. To provide you with the best experience possible, we only hire staff with the widest knowledge and best work ethic. Dave and his staff have a passion for excellence has resulted in satisfied customers. Customer service is our number one goal— Dave always says, “if you’re not happy, we’re not happy”. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, this is your go-to shop for European automotive service and repairs.

Dave grew up in Redmond, WA and is a resident of Renton, WA and has lived in the Seattle area his entire life. He has deep roots in Seattle’s history and area. His Great Great Great Grandmother and father moved to Seattle here from Germany. In 1907, they were one of the only German families in Ballard area and the house that his Grandmother was born in still stands to this day.  Dave enjoys working on his 1980 VW Scirocco, spending time with his wife, 2 kids and Chocolate Lab, ‘Blue’.

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Powder Coating Service – Prismatic Universe

Powder Coating Service – Prismatic Universe

Enkei RPF1 Wheels, powder coated in house with Prismatic Powders Prismatic Universe powder coat.  Furthermore it is finished with a powder clear coat. This unique powder is a special order and costs a little more than standard powder coating powder.

We can powder coat anything that is aluminum, steel or any hard metal. We strip and blast your parts to bare metal. Then pre-prep the parts to get ready for powder. We coat the wheels with a special electrostatic spray applicator and bake the part at 400º for around 10-15 minutes. After the part has slowly cooled down it is ready to handle and your project is ready to be installed.

Contact us today to get your wheels powder coated, 425-254-0627. You can also email us by clicking here. Meister Werks European & Import is located in the Seattle Area. One block south from The Renton Landing in Renton, WA, across the street from The Boeing Store and on the westside of the Paccar / Kenworth plant.

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10% Discount for Mini Addicted Car Club Members

Meister Werks happy to announce that we will be offering a 10% discount to all Mini Addicted car club members. This discount is good up to $100 off any service, maintenance, repair or performance item. Contact the Mini Addicted car club for further details.

About Mini Addicted

Mini Club Member – H&R Sport Spring Install

The Club name speaks for it’s self “MINI ADDICTED”. This social club is all about the MINI. We love the idea that no two MINIS are alike. We enjoy customizing, modifying and adding our own character or twist to the MINI. This social club is here for sharing experiences, car knowledge, photos and building new friendships.

Lori’s Mini – Hella Rally Light Install

This club will have meet ups, events, drives, photo shoots and attend car shows. We are a Pacific Northwest club only, so you must live in Washington, Oregon or Idaho plus you must own a Mini to be a member. There are no dues involved in this club but there are logo/stickers and club shirts and hoodies available to order. This social club is here for all members to feel welcomed, accepted and feel they are apart of the MINI Community. The MINI ADDICTED car club was founded by Lori Aaron Sept 2017 as a private page, it then went to a closed group in 2018.

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Meister Werks European & Import NAMED CARFAX TOP-RATED service shop

Meister Werks European & Import NAMED CARFAX TOP-RATED Service Shop

Verified Customer Ratings Used to Name the Inaugural CARFAX Top-Rated Service Shops of 2019

Meister Werks European & Import is being celebrated as a CAR FAX Top-Rated Service Shop based on verified reviews from actual customers. The exclusive list of service shops recognize in the inaugural CAR FAX Top-Rated Service Shops. These shops receive an average of 4.77 stars out of five on CARFAX Car Care.

“Our goal is help car owners make confident decisions,” said Mike Liou, head of Service Marketing at CAR FAX. “We have over 10 million active Car Care subscribers. These subscribers use the program to help keep up with maintenance and recalls on their vehicles. We want to utilize this community to highlight the service shops who are going above and beyond when it comes to customer care, and we do so with reviews from only verified customers.”

“Meister Werks is honored to be a Car Fax Top-Rated Service Shop”, said owner Dave Meister. “Our main objective is to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service. We also offer the best quality parts for repairs, service and performance on our customer’s European and import vehicles.

In February, CARFAX also launched the first-ever Top-Rated Dealer award to car dealerships. These are based on more than a million verified reviews.

About CARFAX

CARFAX.com, part of IHS Markit, helps millions of people every day. We help consumers confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars, Coupled with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, they provides exclusive services like Used Car Listings,  Car Care,  History-Based Value and the flagship Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

 

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