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[udubfl]

It's a puzzle and there's an order to put it all back together. For example, I remember you have some push pins/fasteners you need to before adding the black trim piece.



Here's...

[udubfl]

Here's the bumper pieces.

The gray is original piece that cracked. The white/cream colar version to the right is the new OE piece.







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[udubfl]

Here's how the body looked after taking off the bumper, lights, and grill for initial inspection. The plastic bumper brackets that holds the bumper also broke, so needed to replace those parts.
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[udubfl]

Ahh. yes, the bumper took a while. It is now completely restored. You are correct. It does take some time to collect/source the parts.

The inner fiberglass bumper cracked with the accident....

[udubfl]

Regarding the chassis and body. Underneath the 318is wheel well looks great. It didn't really live in any rust belt area. So, it was great to see no rust or any issues. Not even in the strut tower bolt...

[udubfl]

Added new ATF fluids, bled it, etc. The new system seems to work great! The steering feels little heavier with the new-to-me E36 rack vs. OE E30 rack. The wheels are still off the ground. Lock to lock...

[udubfl]

Just going back...Here's the control arms I used.


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[udubfl]

Here's the original rack and part number. After cleaning it up, I think I will save the OE rack too or sell it. It wasn't leaking and looks to in good condition.


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[udubfl]

Here's how it looks all bolted up underneath the car...I did have to raise the engine up a little up more since the new engine mounts are little thicker than the old tired compressed engine mounts....

[udubfl]

Bolting up the the whole system (subframe and rack) at once was easier (at least for me) vs. piecing it together on the vehicle. I did few dry fittings (i.e. steering shaft couplings, firewall hole, etc.)...

[udubfl]

Before mating the rack to subframe.





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[udubfl]

Here's old vs. new.

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[udubfl]

Tested, cleaned up and prepped the sterering rack further (splines and exterior) and begin assembling. Purchased and used BMW grease as I didn't have other stuff laying around.


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[udubfl]

Ordered E36 TieRods, boots, etc.

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[udubfl]

Here we go with steering rack selection....So many choices. So many youtube videos watched, etc. Most say to go with E46 yellow, etc.

I ended up going with E36 1996+ rack (3213-1-096-280)...Steering...

[udubfl]

PSA...When receiving new parts from vendors, this is a good reminder to double check everything before installing.

Normally, FCP Euro is great. I received a new hose that was much shorter...

[udubfl]

For steering system hoses, I used all 318is hoses except the hose that goes from steering pump to steering rack. Knowing that I needed to do some bending because of the new banjo connection/location on...

[udubfl]

Steering Pump Number: 32-41-1-141-205


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[udubfl]

When ordering for steering restoration/upgrading work, I spent some times (hours/days) researching what I wanted to do to upgrade but also recondition/restore it for another 35+ years.

At...

[udubfl]

The condition of the subframe, control arms, bushing, etc. were good. No rust or anything. Just years of dirt and grimes. Previous owner did replace the control arm/bushing. I did order new OEM control...