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Rear shocks, springs and sway bar links done last night. Not bad.
Glad I didn't follow the Pelican DIY. It said to drop exhaust and diff to pull the springs, no need. With the shocks and end links pulled the trailing arms drop enough to get the springs out.
Front empty. Would have been nice to clean the wheel wells. The weather wasn't cooperating to get it outside and I didn't want to make a huge mess in the shop.
New stuff ready to go on.
I got everything in last night except the struts.
Rear is done. Shock, spring, RSM with plate, sway bar bushings and end links.
Couple notes:
- Strut collars came off easily with big channel locks. Nothing has been seized on this car which has been really nice.
- Brakes all look fresh so I'm leaving them alone. Only negative is both front rotor retaining bolts had the heads snapped off. Have replacements. Will try to drill them out.
- Surprised at how low the torque spec is for the control arm to body (47lb) and steering rack (33lb). Those figures may not be exact I didn't bring my notes.
- Used Loctite on those, hope that was correct?
- When I pulled the tie rod boots nasty black fluid poured out. I'm guessing the rack is leaking internally?
Edit - I'm going to try the Valvoline stop leak on the rack. I'd rather not replace it until the engine is out in a couple years.
It's going to rise quite nicely when you're back to driving it. Is it snowing out there? E30s aren't that bad in the snow if you have a limited slip diff. Have you checked that yet? You always test it the old fashioned way... :devil:
Simon
Current Cars:
-1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle
Tons of snow here. Almost 2' in my yard. Won't be trying it until spring. :(
I like to ski so it's a good thing, just bad for BMW driving.
I bought snow tires for my M3 when I got it. Couldn't bring myself to drive it in the snow... They started salting here a few years ago. Just couldn't expose the car to that stuff. I did take it around the neighborhood once (no salt in private neighborhoods). It was very capable and a lot of fun.
This car decodes as not having a LSD.
The tag on the diff is hard to read so I'm not 100% sure but would guess not considering how original it is.
.
Edit - Snow driving is what kept me out of BMWs when I started driving and got me into VWs. I'm dating myself here, but there was an article in Road and Track in the late '80's comparing 2wd and 4wd Audi 4000s and BMW 325s. The article said the 325is was basically undriveable in the snow. Few years later a friend had a 325is in college. This was the early '90s so it was near new. He spun it on the way to Willamette Pass in the snow. Came back after break with a new Cherokee.
I tried out a 325ix after I graduated. Didn't have the same feel as the 2wd car. Stuck with VWs instead.
Took it out for a quick shake down cruise this afternoon.
The car is transformed. I knew it would be, but it's still amazing to experience a fresh suspension. Float gone, tight steering, less rattles, really nice.
The hr bilstien sport combo is really nice. Not harsh at all. Feels similar to the OE set up on my M3. Firm and controlled ride, but still compliant.
Cowl shake is significantly reduced. I attribute this to the Garagistic brace. This is a welcome improvement.
We've been bombing around in it.
It's a really nice car. Totally different character than the red car. Plush cruiser, soft comfy leather, floaty suspension, automatic. Perfectly suited by the color combo, Bronzit, tan, brown top.
If I had infinite space I'd keep it.
But, I don't so it will be for sale soon.
Last edited by Poorhouse; 06-06-2018, 05:27 PM.
Reason: Clarity
New upholstery from 9 stitch.
Going to bodyshop to fix the left fender.
Stromung if the group buy comes together. https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/sho...d.php?t=427805
Fix a few oil leaks and the mess under the intake manifold.
Maybe, finally sew in the new back window..
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