few questions about GC setup

[ill4noreason]

how did the front right get messed up????

[Van Westervelt]

oh he has a good point, i was told GC has a lifetime warranty!
so they'd be able to fix w/e PO screwed up right?

Only if it was installed correctly. Which, lol, it isnt!

If something this substantial was half assed, there is going to be more half assed work all over the car. As prev stated, unless its under 500, I would walk away.

[bimmerteck]

Lifetime warranties generally have exclusions written in for damage due to improper installation. I've seen worse but those certainly warrant some attention, but if that install is any indication of the state of the rest of the vehicle I'd walk away.

[devon.818]

how is this installed wrong?
what can you guys say is wrong and how would it need to be put right?
details?

[bimmerteck]

how is this installed wrong?
what can you guys say is wrong and how would it need to be put right?
details?

That dangling piece is the shock collar nut. It is supposed to be tightened down holding the shock into the strut tube.

The shocks look like blown stockers to me.

The rears are supposed to be aluminum perches, and they are prone to cracking. But I cant tell what the hell that yellow thing in there is!

You would likely need to replace the blown shocks, replace the rear upper spring locators, possibly the upper spring hats on the front if they are damaged when inspected, and if they are cracked the rear aluminum spring perches.

If you like while I'm under my car this week I'll take some pictures of what an installed GC setup should look like. ;)

[devon.818]

yeah that'd be helpful!
do you think this is safe to drive one?
i dont think the shocks arent blown, i know it drives fine and there isn't body roll when i've been in it...but the shocks are definately not high quality.

so yeah it is a coilover setup right? just not the best?
would it be more cost affective to buy the JOM?

[M-technik-3]

That car is NOT Safe to drive. The shock is not secured to the suspension, Please for other peoples sake do not drive this car anywhere. AAA is 85 a year and gives you 5 free tows a year.

[KenC]

yeah that'd be helpful!
do you think this is safe to drive one?
i dont think the shocks arent blown, i know it drives fine and there isn't body roll when i've been in it...but the shocks are definately not high quality.

so yeah it is a coilover setup right? just not the best?
would it be more cost affective to buy the JOM?

You don't think the shocks aren't blown? So they are blown?

Shocks have little to do with body roll.

If the suspension install job is that terrible, I'd hate to see the rest of the car. Run.

[devon.818]

typo!

yeah thanks guys, even the GC rep thought this whole thing was weird...his first response to the front right coilover was "uhmmmmm.....thats not good? that definately shouldn't be like that."

lol

he kinda raised more questions than answers.

[ill4noreason]

Why downgrade to JOM? anyway just fix it and move on all cars are fucked when you buy them especially 25+ year old cars. As long as there is no major rust or frame damage everything else is easy read a manual or go on forums learn and do it. If you want a new car with perfect suspension brakes electronics cupholders lol buy a new bmw. if not buy it fix it drive it and enjoy it. but if all that seems like too much an e30 is not the car for you... at least you had a chance to see under the car. I know plenty of people who looked on the outside of a car and bought it. They didn't look underneath, check oil for blowby, look for rust major body/frame damage Or even take it to a knowledgeable mechanic. my first e30 had about two inches of play in the steering, front suspension was shot, leaked oil like a pig, brakes were shot, exhaust was a honda exhaust... but a month after I bought it all the major issues were fixed and from there on my e30 obsession has taken off... Save another e30 to many ppl part out good ones cause there afraid of hard work... Do it fix it be proud.

[DRTSRFR]

yeah thanks guys, even the GC rep thought this whole thing was weird...his first response to the front right coilover was "uhmmmmm.....thats not good? that definately shouldn't be like that."

lol

he kinda raised more questions than answers.

Heh, I was trying to be gentle. The fact that someone used a yogurt cup for a rear spring locator...:(

And you DO have at least one blown damper. All of the gritty build-up on the gland nut is from leaking shock oil.

[Van Westervelt]

I have said it in every post, as has everyone else and straight from GC.

Shitty install. Unsecured/blown shocks. Failed spring locators. Improper sleeve install. The list goes on, this is just from your crappy cell pics.

Something that major half assed is likely a sign of the rest of the vehicles maintenance and 'mods.' Offer him what its worth, $400. Otherwise run the other direction, fast. And dont go mobbing in his/her car with them. Chances are you will hit a tree and catch on fire.