Riveting question

[germ]

OK, so I had the leaking windshield tank issue. Another common problem among BMWs (don't get me started).

I did the repair myself following this video for 3 series E90:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY9tsxPANxg

(You realize just how much the original 1 series is like a miniaturized 3 series. Almost every part is identical).

Anyway, there are three rivets that are "single use" only holding the wheel well cover:



My stealer's parts man insists that the replacements he sold me (BMW Part No. 51-11-1-908-077) are the correct ones. But there's no way they fit in the holes. Even removing the pin and trying to hammer them in with a hammer does not work.

Does anyone know the correct part No. for the proper rivets?

TIA.

BTW, the repair was successful, no more leak. However, the cheap ($13) replacement pump (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZCL08K) produces a very weak jet. Now, the original BMW can be found online for $65 (and at the stealer's for $98+CA sales tax). If anyone knows about a better replacement that doesn't cost as much as the OEM, please chime in as well.

[RoundelM3]

Best bet ordering OEM parts is Tischer BMW (getbmwparts dot com); much better pricing than your local dealer, unless they'll match Tischer's price plus shipping cost.

[Mr Rooty Von Tooty]

He sold you the right parts. To put these pins in correctly takes patience. You obviously don't possess that trait, because you don't use a hammer on them. When you buy any part, bring along the old part for comparison assuming you are buying over the BMW parts counter.

In the video, the guy doesn't know how to properly raise the car. He should use a jack pad with his jack, and the car stand must be placed under the frame or some part of the suspension not under the body. A better way would be to raise the car on the center of the front cross member.

As far as disassembly is concerned, he's taking way too many things apart to get to the pump.

[germ]

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

He sold you the right parts. To put these pins in correctly takes patience. You obviously don't possess that trait, because you don't use a hammer on them. When you buy any part, bring along the old part for comparison assuming you are buying over the BMW parts counter.

I only used the hammer after unsuccessfully trying by hand and with other tools. I have not tried the Harbor Freight rivet gun from this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQQ7i4gkrk

But if I can't force them in with a hammer--with the pin out!--, it really looks to me like those are NOT the right part No.

Also notice the part No. in the video: 51 777 171 004.

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

In the video, the guy doesn't know how to properly raise the car. He should use a jack pad with his jack, and the car stand must be placed under the frame or some part of the suspension not under the body. A better way would be to raise the car on the center of the front cross member.

I have the jack pad and used the front right jack point. Worked well.

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

As far as disassembly is concerned, he's taking way too many things apart to get to the pump.

Well, not too many more than needed. I found that I can leave the bottom part in place as long as I remove two screws. The wheel well panel was a PITA to remove. And I forgot to put back the small white plastic thingy that sits on top of the tank (and easily falls off when rotating the tank out).

But the leak is gone.

[Ginger_Extract]

Those pins suck! I've broken a handful of them as well. They aren't one time use, but they may as well be.

[The Wind Breezes]

You just have to know how to use them. Lol at trying to hammer them in, at least use pliers or something.

[germ]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

You just have to know how to use them. Lol at trying to hammer them in, at least use pliers or something.

I did try with pliers and there's no way they would fit.

Before I go to Harbor Freight and spend money on a tool that may or may not be the correct one, I just wanted to see if there's anyway they fit. So I removed the pin, then squeezed the tips together and tried to insert them into the holes. They wouldn't go even with a hammer, which started to deform the pins. This is my way to tell that they are not the correct part number. If anybody has managed to use those rivets in these holes, please tell us how you did it.