The Cabrio Suspension Thread

[3bvert]

interesting side note , info

so I am about to get started, adn I knew my suspension is/was shot
measured the distance to the wheel arch before starting.....wtf
moved it to a different spot, checked air pressures, nothing in the car
sittiong on 205/60/14's
pretty much the same measurements
driver side front 26 3/4
rear 24 1/2
pass front 26 1/4
pass rear 24

distance to bottom of oil pan at lowest spot of drain plug 6 1/4

well we will see what I get with
new to me springs (lowering springs, not race)
billy sports all around, new struts, used rears
new contorll arms, bushings ( offset) and strut mounts,tie rods and sway links ( all german I was told, get here today,I hope)
new shock mounts ( rear)

( also installing new pads and rotors)

well ntohiong is gonna get done, sitting here on the computer:)

[aworthybrother]

interesting side note , info

so I am about to get started, adn I knew my suspension is/was shot
measured the distance to the wheel arch before starting.....wtf
moved it to a different spot, checked air pressures, nothing in the car
sittiong on 205/60/14's
pretty much the same measurements
driver side front 26 3/4
rear 24 1/2
pass front 26 1/4
pass rear 24

distance to bottom of oil pan at lowest spot of drain plug 6 1/4

well we will see what I get with
new to me springs (lowering springs, not race)
billy sports all around, new struts, used rears
new contorll arms, bushings ( offset) and strut mounts,tie rods and sway links ( all german I was told, get here today,I hope)
new shock mounts ( rear)

( also installing new pads and rotors)

well ntohiong is gonna get done, sitting here on the computer:)

You might want to check your front sway bar rubber mount/bushings & brackets also. I just recently replaced all of the parts you listed except for the sway bar mounts. Would have saved me time if I ordered it together with all the front end suspension parts.

[CorvallisBMW]

If you're going to replace your sway bar bushings, get urethane. it's about the same price as the dealer but gives much better performance from the bar without any downsides or compromises.

[3bvert]

three pain in the butts
strut towers are out of the car, lower control arms are still in

1) what size wrench is it to get to the top control arm nuts under engine
2) what tool is used to get the top strut mount off
3) everything else is out and coming loose, exvept the sway bar links, cant get the nuts to budge. Have a wrench on both sides, nothing, cant budge em. ( top opf link mounting to bar) , guess Ill have to cut them off tomorrw wtih a grinder

[aworthybrother]

you might find this helpful....

http://zoso.no-ip.org/318i-control-arm.html

[3bvert]

thanks
did lots of
"research" guess Ill hit it in the morning
and yes I overlooked getting sway bar mount bushings
but doubt I can find any tomorrow morning in corvallis oregon

[CorvallisBMW]

thanks
did lots of
"research" guess Ill hit it in the morning
and yes I overlooked getting sway bar mount bushings
but doubt I can find any tomorrow morning in corvallis oregon

Try Horton's German Auto, 541-758-4154

[3bvert]

never tried them for anything, guess Ill give it a shot, see if they have the ones for the 21mm bar

[3bvert]

so the vert is almost done with suspension mods, would get more done if I spent less time on computer and honey do lists

is the toe in same as stock, did nto do camber plates ?

91 318ic
lowering springs, billy sports, offset bushings
( also new control arms, sawy links, tie rod ends)

[3bvert]

yahooooo

finally got it done today
eibachs,billy sports, all bushings and links, rotors and pads

front went from 26 inch to 24 1/4

back went from 24 to 22 1/2

get aligned tomorrow, but sure was fun to drive today
guess it would help if I took the pic where it was sitting on level ground

[3bvert]

so not quite the same angles before and after youll notice the diff anyway in the front wheel arch

[Hey-U]

1992 318i
[IMG][/IMG]

Koni rear, billy sport front, eibech pro springs for 325ic (318ic nla), M3 traing arms with offset bushings, e36 steering rack, Zimmerman cross drilled with rebuilt brakes sst lines and jurid pads. 16" ACS with S Drives.

[3bvert]

very nice.is that a stock color ? looks real nice
when I repaint my vrt it gonna be the deep almost black blue, not stock for the year, but a bmw color, forget its name right now

[Hey-U]

very nice.is that a stock color ? looks real nice
when I repaint my vrt it gonna be the deep almost black blue, not stock for the year, but a bmw color, forget its name right now

Thanks. The colour is Topax Metalic (e46 colour)

[Disaster Inc]

Guys can I get some measurements of ground clearance from the ground to the oil pan. I measured my car and stock or worn suspension I have a clearance of 5 1/2".

I finally remembered to crawl under and measure for you - My unscientific measurement is 4" +/- 1/8" oil pan to ground on H&R sports, Bilstein shocks.