New 325IX Owner...here's a list of things I'll be doing..

[Sean]

I've done a fair bit of searching, and know a little - but closing on a house in October means my time is fairly limited.

Anyway, I'm a new owner of a 1991 325ix. I traded my 1990 735i for it. I cannot wait to enjoy it in the snow!

It does have it's share of issues though, some I'd like to discuss:

1. It seems to be leaking oil - not sure if it's from the Tcase - looks like the headgasket has the infamous "oil seepage" issue.
2. Shocks blown, will be fixing that soon
3. It has an auto...someday...I will swap...
4. Ball joints totally gone.

Anyway, with those items in mind - I have the car on stands right now - but won't be doing all the work this very second. Right now, I'm doing:

- Oil change
- Checking all fluids levels (front/rear diffs and transfer case)
- Attempting to determine where my oil leak is coming from
- Trying to find my coolant leak source
- Cleaning the engine bay - it's filthy and I need to take off some grime to try to find the source for all the leaks...?
- Ensuring the axle spline has it's proper grease (is it the graphic based grease I should use?)

In October, or November (if the snow stays away...haha) - I'll do the following:

- Bilstein HDs
- H&R Sports (anyone know where I can find any used?)
- New front ball joints (inner & outer), tie rods and control arm bushings

However, while I am removing axles from the strut assembly, should I be doing anything else?

SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU GURUS:
1. Should I be concerned about leaks where the driveshaft goes thru the oil pan? I didn't find anything concrete on this.
2. The boots on my axles are already new - should I take them out and inspect anything while I'm in there?
3. Should I consider wheel bearings, or not bother?
4. What else should I do when I have the front end apart like that?


I'm open to suggestions and any informative threads you can point my way!!

Thanks,
Sean

[fronton]

When referring to ball joints, do you mean the control arms' ball joints? Since you are replacing the control arm bushings, just do the arms themselves as well.

Don't bother which wheel bearings unless they are already going bad.

Like every M20, if you don't know for certain that the timing belt was replaced in the last 7 years or 50k miles, this this before you drive it much further. You should do the water pump and tstat while you are in there.

[z122643]

TIMING BELT! don't even question it!

I have the same leak from the axle passageway for the passenger side axle. I wouldn't worry to much about it. It is from the differential.

I would also do all fluids. (and replace all fill and drain plugs especially the front diff plugs. )

[nando]

Motor oil can't leak through the axle passage. There is no opening into the pan.

Congrats on the ix :)

[1E30iX2NV]

i recommend you doing the ball joints inner and outer and use the old control arms ...they are different than regular e30's and alot of $. secondly the oil leak at the right front axle is from two seals ...1 the axle seal and 2 theres an oring sealing the oil pan from axle . i would reseal it mos def. i would do the wheel bearings if your gonna have the front totally disassembled to do struts and ball joints etc...

[Sean]

When referring to ball joints, do you mean the control arms' ball joints? Since you are replacing the control arm bushings, just do the arms themselves as well.

Don't bother which wheel bearings unless they are already going bad.

Like every M20, if you don't know for certain that the timing belt was replaced in the last 7 years or 50k miles, this this before you drive it much further. You should do the water pump and tstat while you are in there.

I was planning on purchasing the inner and outer balljoints and reusing the arm, since the whole assembly is insanely expensive!

Timing belt was recent - PO had the head off less than a yr ago I believe (I need to go thru and document the things he told me). We traded cars, so I'd like to believe we were both very honest with each other.

TIMING BELT! don't even question it!

I have the same leak from the axle passageway for the passenger side axle. I wouldn't worry to much about it. It is from the differential.

I would also do all fluids. (and replace all fill and drain plugs especially the front diff plugs. )

Was planning on all fluids pretty soon - debating on doing this all at the same time right now, or waiting until I move into my house...gotta decide haha.

Motor oil can't leak through the axle passage. There is no opening into the pan.

Congrats on the ix :)

Ok, that makes sense. But, I should still seal up that axle passage, right?

And thanks...kinda worried about what I'm getting myself into. But, this winter, with 4 snow tires, I am hoping for some MAAADDD snow :)

i recommend you doing the ball joints inner and outer and use the old control arms ...they are different than regular e30's and alot of $. secondly the oil leak at the right front axle is from two seals ...1 the axle seal and 2 theres an oring sealing the oil pan from axle . i would reseal it mos def. i would do the wheel bearings if your gonna have the front totally disassembled to do struts and ball joints etc...

That's the plan, with the ball joints.

I'll take a look at those seals. Easy to replace?

[Sean]

Hey, have you guys ever heard of these?

http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/520-732-front-right-lower-suspension-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-dorman/adEiy078yse0MDwgu

Seem super cheap to me...too good to be true. lol

[TehRaydarlover]

^interesting

[fresh_TD]

OP, you should also consider distributor cap/rotor, plugs/wires, coil, all belts(pretty cheap from ecs) and if you're going to replace timing belt/water pump/thermostat?( I would) go head and do the cam seal too since you're already there.. ONE big thing is to check your fuel lines and probably replace them anyway, its really cheap and easy to do along with the fuel filter, this was something I over looked when I picked up my IX about 2 months ago and had a crazier fuel leak then a squirting porn star at wal-mart parking lot... because the lines were rotted out. oh and if you really want oem control arms? the cheapest I found them was for around $200, but I would just replace the ball joints

[Sean]

I'm looking at buying the outers from FCP and Inners from Rennsport ($40/ea and $79/ea respectively). I'll also just buy a press. lol

What about thoughts on my automatic transmission? I figure I should do the fluid & filter while I'm under there - might as well ensure she doesn't get upset with me! Do I just run the normal ATF? And, what about fluid in the torque converter?

[nando]

Just drain it, dont flush. I liked valvoline max life, it helped with the shifting and it works well with old seals.

[nando]

Hey, have you guys ever heard of these?

http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/520-732-front-right-lower-suspension-control-arm-and-ball-joint-assembly-dorman/adEiy078yse0MDwgu

Seem super cheap to me...too good to be true. lol

They are not for an ix is my guess.

[fresh_TD]

They are not for an ix is my guess.

it says this is specifically for the ix, wonder if anyone aver bought these for their ix and had fitment issues??

[nando]

it says they are but the price indicates it's not.

this isn't exactly the first time in internet history that a no-name company listed a standard part as fitting the ix.. honestly.

also, the picture isn't an ix control arm. it's too small. and when you search for the part # they list, it also says it fits a 325i

http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/search/?q=520-732

so yeah.. not for an ix.

as far as coils, plug wires, etc. if they aren't damaged, there's no reason to replace them. cap and rotor are wear items of course, but coils and plug wires are generally not.

lucky for Sean this isn't his first M20 rodeo so I think he knows this stuff already. :)

[Sean]

Hahahaha...Rightchu you are, Chris!! I know a lil' bout these little 12valve clickers. haha

Ok, thanks for the advice! I'll just grab some of that and call it a day.

And yes, I also assumed the same, Chris - that the CAs were actually not for IX's. Too good to be true, usually!