Toughest job in an e30?

[AdironRider]

I think one of the shittiest jobs I've had to do on an E30 yet was changing out the heater core valve in my wife's 89 325i. You have to be a complete contortionist to get in there, and getting tools onto the hardware and fasteners that hold it all together is a fucking nightmare, not to mention trying to get the 2 pipes back through that rubber butthole in the firewall without actually pulling the grommet itself out, because it's impossible to get back in. On top of that, if you're replacing it, it's probably because it blew, which means you're laying in coolant on the floor.

Other than that, as long as you've got the right tools and a few friends to help, I haven't run into anything that was so horrible I wouldn't do it again.

I second this. I had to do this to my ix in my colleges parking lot and hated every second of it.

[nando]

I think it's more along the lines of "what are you most afraid of doing."

there's really nothing that difficult, it just seems that way when you haven't done it before. even my transfer case doesn't scare me at all now - I know I can have it out in an hour with hand tools and jack stands, it just requires a technique you'd only know if you've done it before.

the only way I can see something being really difficult is if your car is from the rust belt..

[franco90]

///meric, fretburnr, franco90, and I can vouch for that

Good Times
Any time Bill

[2002maniac]

fuel tank

[Apex381]

Subframe.... oh my god the subframe and TA bushings. Just did the rear wheel bearings and they were a walk in the park compared to the subframe job.

[markseven]

I haven't done that much, but the dash swap was a pain in the keester.

[george graves]

I think one of the shittiest jobs I've had to do on an E30 yet was changing out the heater core valve in my wife's 89 325i.

Word - but subframes are the most daunting.

[nando]

Word - but subframes are the most daunting.

why? drop it out of the car, and the bushings are pretty easy to press out. and urethane slides right in.

[e30 gangsta]

We did a dash swap in less than 2 hours 2 day. Its not that bad. Id say

Reinstalling a full carpet with putting the carpet under the heater core. Also
fixing a snapped rocker while keeping the head on the car.

[matt]

fuel tank

It's easier when there's only half.

[mspiegle]

The first thing I ever did on my car was replace the automatic transmission. It had about 150K on it and was toast (partially from some abuse on my end). I only had $500 to work with, so I got a used tranny for $250 along with another $250 in tools.

During the removal process, I didn't realize that I needed torx sockets and couldn't find them at the time. I tried using regular 12-pt sockets and rounded off most of the bolts. I resorted to sawing most of the bellhousing off.

Once I got that all done, I reinstalled the new tranny improperly and had to do the whole process again a year later.

If I remember correctly, It took me an entire week of working 8 hours per day on it. The second time, I did the whole thing in less than a day.

I'd say that was the hardest...

[Hick]

Heater core is a peice of cake. Gas tank is not fun.

Worst, id imagine replacing the O-rings to convert from R12 to r134-a. I did mine but the dash was out at the time.

One that i hate is dropping the rear subframe. Changing diffs is a PITA too, but after doing it atleast 10 times im getting pretty good at it

[golde30]

rear subframe + brake lines above it. also gas tank, that was a pita.

how much are new windshield wiper motors anyways? maybe i will change it while i have the motor out, seems like it would be easier to access...

[Justin B]

I'm surprised you didnt say swapping an M42 into another M42 car. LOL!!! That was the worst, most pathetic swap, EVAR. :D I can't come close to saying I didn't have fun with it though.

[Hick]

you can swap out the wiper motor without removing the wiper assembly. just be sure to install the motor, cycle it once and then, and only then, replace the wiper arms.

reason: if the motor is out of sequence the the arms will turn down and gouge the paint.