autobonrun

Beautiful color. Take your time on the mods. Drive it for a while under all conditions. I always like to start with tires before I start modifying the suspension if they are near the end of their life. Tires make such a big difference in the car's ride and handling. As others said, check the bushings next. Those rears are a real bit&h to replace; however it's worth the effort. See if the rubber appears flattened out at the bottom.

Unless you just want a 3 spoke, your steering wheel can be made to look new by purchasing a leather kit and sewing it on yourself. I replaced mine and added a porsche shield in the center. At the same time I redyed the carpet and the seats. This photo shows the steering wheel updated but was taken before I did the seats and shows the carpet redye in progress.

jclanin

Ok - so I took delivery and it did not go quite as I had planned. On the way home cruising at about 50mph I started to get a strange humming sound & sensation (through the steering wheel) it would last a while and then go away.

I'm not too mechanically inclined but is it possible it's my front bearings?

Also (unrelated), my brake lights stopped working on the way home. It seems the first time I press the brake pedal they will come on briefly and then flicker off. Seems I have a short somewhere. I have no idea where to begin with that so any help is greatly appreciated.

Can't really drive the car until I have the brake light problem fixed -- and I'm sure the front bearing (if that's even it) issue is no small deal.

thanks in advance for any guidance.

-JC

Ed Hughes

The front end could be bearings, or tires, or........you'll need to go through things.

Them brake switches on the master cylinder are notorious for being a failure part after so many years. A simple and easy fix, assuming that is the issue.

Brett San Diego

Agree on the brake light problem possibly just the brake light switch. Cheap enough to just try changing it to see if that fixes it.

I had a similar problem with my brake lights when I got my 1978 SC. I swapped in a new master cylinder with a new switch, and the problem persisted. (It needed the new master cylinder since it was leaking.) The other possibility is corrosion on the fuse. Give the fuse and the fuse contacts on the fuse block a good rub with some fine sand paper. This solved my problem. While you're at it, do every fuse on the block. Do this first since it doesn't cost anything, then think about buying a switch if the problem persists.

And, take a minute to lift the trunk carpet to inspect the master cylinder area for leaking brake fluid while we've got you thinking about the brake switch.

Are you sure the humming wasn't just different road noise from different pavement? The 911's steering is connected to the road like no other car. Maybe you're just feeling more road than you're used to? I would say it's not critical, but something to monitor (once you've made sure your lug bolts are tight). Or have an experienced mechanic or friend drive the car and give an opinion.

Brett

jclanin

The brake light problem was indeed the brake light switch - replaced both this evening and I now have working brake lights.

Good idea about the fuses - I'll replace them all just for grins.

I'm not going to stress too much about the occasional humming. I noticed it a bit on a 30 minute joy ride this evening. I'll have my local mechanic take a peek at some point.

I also changed my oil and filter tonight. I've never done that before but it was pretty simple.

thanks all! -- I know, I still need to post some pics...

--JC

yumyum1667

When I bought mine it had not been driven often. On the highway I would get a slight streering wheel vibration. I drove it hard for a few days and no more vibration. Part of it was my tires were not inflated properly so that helped.

If you want to meet up in the future you can drive mine to see how they compare.

jclanin

I'll definitely take you up on that Greg. PM me sometime and let's meet for a car swap and beer... (sounded dirty)

Brett San Diego

I agree with your "one hell of a kid hauler" comment on the E39 540i. We just bought a 1998 model 540i automatic from a private party. For what we paid, it's a ton of car for the money. If bought well, it's gotta be one of the best deals in a used car these days.

Brett

yumyum1667

JC what part if town are you in? I am in Buford so it is convenient driving up to the mountains.

I am currently working on the AC and it has been too hit to drive without it

jclanin

I'm in Decatur Greg. I do try to get up the mountains as much as possible. I hear ya on the temp; it's just been miserable lately. My AC actually works quite well and I wasn't expecting that from past experience with my 993 and from what I've read here...

ivangene

awe - I see friendships building...

jclanin

This place will do that

GT9111

Beautiful. Keep it stock!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Nice car!!!!

ivangene

what the

how about, dont do anything that cant be easily un-done