Things to watch for: Throttle Control Cables

Symptoms: aberrations in throttle response and cruise control behavior.
Alternate symptoms: zip ties holding control cables to bracket 65711369784.

Parts to replace:

• Cruise Control Cable (#65711370164), $26.43 at the dealer (BMWCCA discount included)
• Accelerator Cable (#35411153001), $27.29
• Rubber grommet (part #35411152331), optional
• Bearing (see below), optional
  

In case someone forgot, here's the main reason NEVER to use zip ties in the car: in a very few years, they become brittle and shatter, sometimes upon a slightest touch. The hotter the climate, the faster it happens.

ACCELERATOR CABLE


Described in sufficient details in E28 Bentley Manual (17:16). A few details beyond that:

• You might want to replace the grommet (part #35411152331), for it is also rubber and old. In case you forget, it's not that difficult to do afterwards, too.
• Follow Bentley Manual instructions to release that grommet literally - it looks like it'll come out easier in the other direction, it won't.
  
• In order to get the old cable out and new in, you'll have to unravel a bunch of wires and hoses it is in the middle of. Get some ties to but it back together (no zip ties, remember?)
  
• While doing that, take a look at water tank expansion tank to breather pipe hose (part #17121119294 - mine fell apart as I touched it.
• Take a look at the bearing (part #13541747519, but yours may be different) - it is plastic, and most probably has become brittle by now.

CRUISE CONTROL CABLE

Coming soon

E28 Hood Mechanism Replacement Caveats

Apparently, broken handle of the hood mechanism is a common problem for E28.

Replacement is almost straightforward.

The mechanism (part #51231868556 for US vehicles) is still available from BMW.

What is not immediately obvious, though, is that it would be a good idea to replace the nipple (part #51231872968) and the grommet (part #61138460102 or #61218050550) at the same time - there's a good chance that the nipple is broken or about to break like this, and the rubber grommet has deteriorated enough to warrant replacement.

In my case, part #51231881741 did not need to be replaced. Honestly, even the main cable (part #51231868559) was just fine, it was the left and right catch (#51231876997 and #51231876998) that were bogged down with dirt beyond reason, but alas, you can't buy just the handle.

Be careful removing lower instrument panel cover - there are two connectors on it. Careful with the screws when you put it back - some screws go into plastic, which is most probably already cracked.