Canadian 318is

[Powling]

Since last fall? I don't know if I could go that longer without an e30 "fix". Nice photo!

Our winters are long up here in Canada and there is usually salt on our roads from November until end of April. I was a little delayed with getting my steering rack finished up too.

[mike.bmw]

Since last fall? I don't know if I could go that longer without an e30 "fix". Nice photo!

[Powling]

Finally finished up the steering rack swap this past week (with only one minor banjo bolt leak) and got to drive it for the first time since last fall.

The new rack feels great! I need an alignment, but looking past that the handling feels a lot sharper. Especially when paired with new M3 CAB's, new control arms and all new tie rods.

[Powling]

I do these by hand all the time..A little soap dish, is all you need.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I tried the dish soap method and a grease method but nothing was even close to working. I think because the M3 bushings are solid rubber there isn't enough flex to get the control arm shaft into it...

...or I was just doing it the absolute wrong way.

[fresh_TD]

I do these by hand all the time..A little soap dish, is all you need.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Powling]

Small update here. Haven't had much time to finish up some of the items with the front end because of a busy work schedule lately. That being said, I have all parts I needed now and just need to finish up the rack install and it can go back on the road after a long winter cooped up!

That being said, I got the new control arms and M3 offset bushings installed today. I had my work shop press the bushings into the lolipops for me yesterday, and today I realized I didn't have the tools needed to install the bushings onto the control arms...and I couldn't go out and buy anything to makeshift the tool needed to do it, so I have to improvise with a ratchet strap. It was a bitch to do, but I got both done!

[Powling]

We went to pick up the parts we ordered from the dealer a couple of weeks ago and found out that the grille foam is back ordered. :( Will let you know when it finally arrives!

Ahh bummer. Let me know what I owe you when you get it and I'll be sure to pop over to pick it up!

A small update here. I'm in the middle doing an E36 swap which you can follow in its own thread here, so not much else has been done since I am focusing on trying to finish that up right now.

I did however get my antenna delete plug from Garagistic so I guess thats worth sharing?

[Roadrunner]

I could definitely go in on that and split the roll!

We went to pick up the parts we ordered from the dealer a couple of weeks ago and found out that the grille foam is back ordered. :( Will let you know when it finally arrives!

[Powling]

I need some foam for my M3, so we could buy a 25' roll from our parts guy and split it three ways. ;D

Done deal.

[Shock(/\)ave]

I also need to replace the grille foam. Anyone know a good, cheap replacement? Or is it best to just reorder OEM foam?

I need some foam for my M3, so we could buy a 25' roll from our parts guy and split it three ways. ;D

[Powling]

I need to order the exact same thing for my car (the foam on the grills was glued to the hood with ice and ripped off when the hood was opened :(). I was going to check this week if our buddy in the parts department could order it with some other parts I need. From what I've read, the OEM foam comes in a big roll with enough for multiple cars. Maybe we could split the roll?

Nice new daily! What do the dogs think of it? :)

I could definitely go in on that and split the roll!

They love it - more space to spread out after the park and TDI means longer road trips!

[Roadrunner]

I also need to replace the grille foam. Anyone know a good, cheap replacement? Or is it best to just reorder OEM foam?

I need to order the exact same thing for my car (the foam on the grills was glued to the hood with ice and ripped off when the hood was opened :(). I was going to check this week if our buddy in the parts department could order it with some other parts I need. From what I've read, the OEM foam comes in a big roll with enough for multiple cars. Maybe we could split the roll?

...and on a side note, picked up a new daily driver. Needed more space for hauling the dogs and couldn't pass up on the better fuel economy considering I commute 160km each day for work.

Nice new daily! What do the dogs think of it? :)

[mike.bmw]

Looks much better! I may have to try this on mine.

[Powling]

Was able to set aside some time today to refresh the set of euro grilles I picked up a couple weeks back. I used the 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and boiled linseed oil which turned out to work great.

I also need to replace the grille foam. Anyone know a good, cheap replacement? Or is it best to just reorder OEM foam?

Before.



Before (top), after cleaning with rubbing alcohol. After 50/50 mix applied and excess rubbed off (bottom).



And installed.

[Powling]

Picked up some more parts this past week. Had a friend 'donate' an Mtech 1 wheel to me for nothing. Needs a bit of love, I'm planning on doing a full rewrap but still a great score!



Also picked up an E36 rack to swap. It also needs love (mostly cleaning) but for the price I couldn't pass it up.



...and on a side note, picked up a new daily driver. Needed more space for hauling the dogs and couldn't pass up on the better fuel economy considering I commute 160km each day for work.