Lets list speciality tools that make work easier on the E30

[noid]

This set saved my ass on some stripped cap screws when I changed cv axles.

Worth their weight in gold!

+1 the bolt extractor set I bought has saved my ass so many times, paid for itself time and again.

A couple (tool and a technique) I will add for today:

Inner tie rod removal:

A tool that can be picked up at your local parts store, or amazon. It tightens around the inner balljoint (where steering rack and inner tie rod meet), and allows you to use a 3/8 ratchet to loosen the inner tie rod from the steering rack.



Technique to confirm a bad wheel bearing: even if its not making noise yet, is to lift the car, and hold the spring as you spin the wheel by hand, even the smallest graininess or roughness will be felt in the spring. It should feel smooth (in the spring).

[flyboyx]

+1 the bolt extractor set I bought has saved my ass so many times, paid for itself time and again.

A couple (tool and a technique) I will add for today:

Inner tie rod removal:

A tool that can be picked up at your local parts store, or amazon. It tightens around the inner balljoint (where steering rack and inner tie rod meet), and allows you to use a 3/8 ratchet to loosen the inner tie rod from the steering rack.



Technique to confirm a bad wheel bearing: even if its not making noise yet, is to lift the car, and hold the spring as you spin the wheel by hand, even the smallest graininess or roughness will be felt in the spring. It should feel smooth (in the spring).

all of the inner tie rods i have had to deal with had a nice little flat area that you can just put a wrench on.

they wheel bearing tip sounds pretty amazing. i had never heard of that one before and i can't wait to try it.

[iwantspeed]

all of the inner tie rods i have had to deal with had a nice little flat area that you can just put a wrench on.

they wheel bearing tip sounds pretty amazing. i had never heard of that one before and i can't wait to try it.

The e30 does have 2 wrench flats but the problem is you have to have a large wrench that's thin enough to fit between the inner tierod and the actual rack.
On steering racks with the locking plate you have less room until you are able to hammer and bend the lock plate out of the way.
I milled down a wrench to fit in there.

[noid]

all of the inner tie rods i have had to deal with had a nice little flat area that you can just put a wrench on.

they wheel bearing tip sounds pretty amazing. i had never heard of that one before and i can't wait to try it.

You're right inner tie rods have the two little flat areas usually, however they usually only accept thin wrenches and depending on where those two flat spots are, a wrench is sometimes a pain to get into place for proper leverage.

Yeah I learned the wheel bearing tip from a long time mechanic who specialized in suspension/bearing work. It works like a charm, the spring amplifies the roughness in the bearing making it very easy to feel. Its a good way to catch a bearing before it gets bad enough that it starts making noise (and possible chews up your hub), or to identify which side is making noise for those hard to pin point situations.

[TobyB]

Holy mother of God- a square drive exhaust clamp! That is brilliant! My life may now be compl3te!

t

[noid]

A couple more I will add for today:

Tool for making control arm bushing installation and removal a 10 min job.

The shorter looking device removes the control arm bushing lollipop from the control arm, and the other one presses it back on.



Technique for reconnecting the rear shocks and sway bar links: put the wheels back on and lower the car slowly, at a certain level the extended disconnected shock and trailing arm shock hole will align (same with the sway bar link). Remember to always hand thread before doing final tightening, if you cant hand thread it in, that means you need to go up or down a little.

No need to use the jack under the trailing arm, or try to compress the shock.

[noid]

This seems like a pretty ingenious exhaust hanger reinforcement.

Aftermarket hangers are pretty weak now-a-days.

[rzerob]

Subscribed.

[jeffnhiscars]

This seems like a pretty ingenious exhaust hanger reinforcement.

Aftermarket hangers are pretty weak now-a-days.

Seems that would defeat the purpose of having a rubber hanger since it wouldn't give.

[noid]

Seems that would defeat the purpose of having a rubber hanger since it wouldn't give.

The band would only be tight enough to prevent over extension.

[bmwman91]

Regarding the rear subframe mounts, which tend to have the aluminum center become corroded into the chassis, they are SUPER easy to deal with. This handy little diagram of mine should get the point across. A 5/8" tap would also work if those are cheaper or more easily available than M16.

[TimeMachinE30]

The price is settling at 49.99 these past few days. I received mine and have had fun cleaning up every nut and bolt I come across. The front end especially, with the many suspension components, benefit from being chased and restored.

[jeffnhiscars]

The price is settling at 49.99 these past few days. I received mine and have had fun cleaning up every nut and bolt I come across. The front end especially, with the many suspension components, benefit from being chased and restored.

Are those long enough to chase a head bolt ?

[noid]

Are those long enough to chase a head bolt ?

With the head off, they are plenty long enough. The head bolt block threads are probably the most important threads to clean on the whole car.

[noid]

One of the best gifts I had ever received for working in the garage was a head light. Frees up a hand and lights up whatever you are looking at.