I've had my car for quite a few years now and I'm trying to diagnose some problems popping up. I'm trying to narrow down the problems so I'm not throwing tons of money at new parts. I have a 1991 318is.
Recently the clutch started engaging at a much lower pedal position and now when it is fully released it sits about 1 1/2" to 2" further out then the brake pedal when it used to sit flush with the brake. Basically when I am stepping fully on it to engage the clutch is the only time it's not trying engage. Once I release it even the slightest the car begins to roll. Previously it used to have a lot of travel and then engage at almost the end of the stroke.
The car also started clunking from the rear end when I lift off the throttle. It's not a loud clunk but it is definitely there. If I press and lift the throttle it will continually make the clunking sound, or if I let it lug in first or second gear it will do it both when jumping forward and back. I've read this could be the bushing in the driveshaft, but any help narrowing down which one would be great.
Third is the caster angle. I'll upload a picture but the caster angle is more positive than other e30's I see around. It's only about in 2" from the front wheel well. I've replaced the control arms recently along with the upper strut mounts and I have tree house CAB's. The steering guibo has been replaced with a Delrin one along with sway bar end links and new tie rod ends within the last year. The car likes to wander around and find a grove a little bit at high way speeds which has me wondering what it could be. It also doesn't feel solid at all and going over a bump or when the suspension decompresses. It's even worse when you're turning and it happens, it wanders around quite substantially and feels all over the place. I have never replaced the rear shocks. (I need to do it, and I have had Bilstien HD's on the front of the car for at least 40,000 miles, and for half of those it has been lowered on a Koni lowering spring which is about 1.5" front and rear.) Does it sound like shocks should fix this? Or is there more to it then that.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Recently the clutch started engaging at a much lower pedal position and now when it is fully released it sits about 1 1/2" to 2" further out then the brake pedal when it used to sit flush with the brake. Basically when I am stepping fully on it to engage the clutch is the only time it's not trying engage. Once I release it even the slightest the car begins to roll. Previously it used to have a lot of travel and then engage at almost the end of the stroke.
The car also started clunking from the rear end when I lift off the throttle. It's not a loud clunk but it is definitely there. If I press and lift the throttle it will continually make the clunking sound, or if I let it lug in first or second gear it will do it both when jumping forward and back. I've read this could be the bushing in the driveshaft, but any help narrowing down which one would be great.
Third is the caster angle. I'll upload a picture but the caster angle is more positive than other e30's I see around. It's only about in 2" from the front wheel well. I've replaced the control arms recently along with the upper strut mounts and I have tree house CAB's. The steering guibo has been replaced with a Delrin one along with sway bar end links and new tie rod ends within the last year. The car likes to wander around and find a grove a little bit at high way speeds which has me wondering what it could be. It also doesn't feel solid at all and going over a bump or when the suspension decompresses. It's even worse when you're turning and it happens, it wanders around quite substantially and feels all over the place. I have never replaced the rear shocks. (I need to do it, and I have had Bilstien HD's on the front of the car for at least 40,000 miles, and for half of those it has been lowered on a Koni lowering spring which is about 1.5" front and rear.) Does it sound like shocks should fix this? Or is there more to it then that.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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