New owner, BMW 325iX Touring

[D.Martijn]

Today after work I stopped by the BMW dealer to get my new rear brake lines and the T case bushing.
I then started with disassembly the front strut housing. Still needed to remove the ABS sensors which were stuck, I left them soaking in some AF and acetone the day before. I finally got them free. They are in a whole lot better condition that the rear sensors. the rears are not cylindrical anymore.. Might look to get them replaced with good used ones.

Finally I will know what springs are fitted since there is a BMW part no printed on the front springs, I just couldn't read it fully. I've wanted to know this because mine sits a whole lot lower than my uncles iX Touring.


After being done with the sturts, I started with the transmission. I used some 450mm and 600mm long extensions and a 3/8" joint to get the torx bolts loose. I noticed the top bolt was missing, looks like someone already removed the transmission before. This made it pretty easy for me though :)

It'll need a degreasing and some new seals, other wise I'm gonne leave it as it still shifts nicely


And finally I removed the clutch and flywheel. The clutch was once replaced before as there is a LUK branded clutch set installed. There is still quite some meat left but I'll go ahead and replace it anyway since I have already bought a brand new Sachs kit.


Flywheel will need a resurface since there is some heavy grooving. Could this explaing the judder I have when slowly releasing the clutch?

[D.Martijn]

hahaha I'd just rather have strict smog laws and sunshine year round rather than snow and salt eating away at everything but be able to run a catless turbo whatever

anyways...good work! You may have mentioned it earlier, but are you upgrading the diff or just rebuilding to stock spec?

Oh yeah, that does sound good :)

Thanks, just a rebuild. New seals, bearings.. not sure if there is a whole lot to upgrade?

[wworm]

Thanks man! I don't understand what rust has to do with emissions though? :)

hahaha I'd just rather have strict smog laws and sunshine year round rather than snow and salt eating away at everything but be able to run a catless turbo whatever

anyways...good work! You may have mentioned it earlier, but are you upgrading the diff or just rebuilding to stock spec?

[D.Martijn]

Finally received my order from Leebmann.
Some OEM bushings, spacers, flywheel bolts...


After work I started on the teardown of the front suspension. Only thing to remove it the transmission. However I'm waiting on some long extensions I've ordered


Meanwhile I'll start sandblasting parts that need to be plated and disassemble things futher.

Also got my diff packed up in a wooden crate, ready to be send out to Hardeman Motorsports, a company in the Netherlands that is well known for their diff rebuilds.

[D.Martijn]

It really is unbelievable how badly that's rusted

I know right, coudln't believe it myself at first. Luckily the housing is a pretty thick chunck of metal :)

This is such a rad car/color combo.
That rust makes me so glad I live in the lovely land of strict emissions laws.

Thanks man! I don't understand what rust has to do with emissions though? :)

Good work!

Thanks!

[jeenyus]

Good work!

[wworm]

This is such a rad car/color combo.
That rust makes me so glad I live in the lovely land of strict emissions laws.

[econti]

It really is unbelievable how badly that's rusted

[D.Martijn]

Finally got started with the teardown of my suspension.
Still waiting on a few bits but should arrive soon, I first need to sandblast, plate/repaint the parts anyway.



In only a couple of hours, the whole rear suspension was fully dissasembled.
Still need to press out the wheel flanges, get the ABS sensors out and the rubber bushes.


While my brother help getting the rear brakes undone, I started removing the driveshafts and the finally the T-case itself. The previous owner made it pretty easy for me as the two top bolts were only snugged down :)


And a picture of my diff, looks like it was once used as a boat anchor..
The other side, where there is an oil leak looks pretty good.


Under side of the car so far. Tomorrow after work I'll start on the front suspension.


Also the bushings for the gear linkage and brass clutch pivot point arrived form Condor speed shop. Unfortunatly I had to pay some customs..

[D.Martijn]

Some more parts have arrived today. I made an order for all new bearings and seals unfortunatly one bearings is back ordered so they didn't send the package yet.

I also found a guy who's selling the inner ball joints for the front LCA.

Mainly parts for the front suspension, shocks, CV boots, outer ball joints...
Also the rear plates for the parking bake, brand Metzger autoteile. Very nice quality stamping.


New rear subframe


I also got a oil seal driver kit and blind hole bearing puller for when I refresh the T case

[jeenyus]

Nice Special Blend outerwear sticker on the table - been a LONG time since I've seen one of those haha

LOL this is exactly what I was thinking to myself! glad someone else caught it too!

[D.Martijn]

I'm so glad we don't have rust like that in Australia.
Those calipers have had it by the looks. I don't think there will be enough metal left to make them work properly once they are blasted

While the underside of the caliper does look pretty rusty, there's still plenty of meat left. The carriers themselves are better. I can always use my original housings and the other carriers. I'll decide one they are blasted and plated.

Nice Special Blend outerwear sticker on the table - been a LONG time since I've seen one of those haha

Well... That 'table' is actually the hood of a Golf mk1 GTI we bought recently. :)

[Powling]

Nice Special Blend outerwear sticker on the table - been a LONG time since I've seen one of those haha

[econti]

I'm so glad we don't have rust like that in Australia.
Those calipers have had it by the looks. I don't think there will be enough metal left to make them work properly once they are blasted

[D.Martijn]

Smallish update.

Hit a new milestone a few weeks back, 253000km and still going strong.


My uncle, brother and I are planning a roadtrip to/in the Alps. I was already planning on refurbishing the rear end a while ago but this made it an even bigger priority. I already started ordering parts. While ordering, I decided to also order parts to redo the whole front & rear suspension, clutch, transfer case. Rear diff will get send out to a specializedcompany.

A couple of pictures of some parts that arrived;

OCAP tie rod assemblies


Almost everthing for the rear suspension (bushings, CV boots bearings...) and brakes (guide pins, pistons & seals, hoses...)


I also ordered a new middle console panel but unfortunatly it arrived broken. I might be able to epoxy it since it's in an easier place to repair than the one that's currently fitted in the Touring.


Finally also a Z3 1.9 DSSR, turns out this one is also fitted to the E46 325/330xi. After some searching on ebay I got one for 40€ shipped to Belgium. Didn't want to spend +100€ for a new one..




I also disassembled the spare rear iX Touring brake calipers I have. The brake pad carriers are in alot better shape than the ones fitted now. I'll go ahead and get them all plated anyway.


Bore itself also looks good


I also got a new (used) rear subframe, only the beam. Mine is a bit rusted on the flanges at the opening for the diff.