saved another E30 today

[Harv]

When I was going to redo the suspension on my e30 I was going to go with Billy HD's and used M3 springs. After a short search for a set of springs I ordered a set of H&R sports and Billy Sports. At first I thought it was too stiff but today, I wouldn't change it for anything. Even Jen says its comfy. And she thought the WRX was too stiff.

John

[M3M3]

and it rides even better with all new bushings in the rear! completed the maint this afternoon. the left subframe bushing had failed completely..not the rubber...the metal sleave at the to had sheared off in the body. no wonder the car wandered and made clunkinig noises.

major thanks to jim...work completed.

new muffler hangers, brackets and bolts

new tranny bushings

new rear rubber brake lines in back

both rear calipers rebuilt

new rear subframe bushings

new TA bushings

new diff hanger bushing

brakes bled.

this is why you are supposed to change brake fluild regularly...

[Harv]

Just did the brakes on mine yesterday. (Thanks Blunt) I also replaced the hoses with braided lines. I wussed out on the ones on top of the subframe. I'll do those when I need to rebush the rear end.

John

[jgerock]

I wussed out on the ones on top of the subframe. I'll do those when I need to rebush the rear end.

John

I can tell you it is MUCH easier to replace those little hoses without the subframe in the car.

Jack rear of car up really high and put a plastic bag under the brake fluid reservoir. TIP that Marshall showed me: Remove the E30 reservoir cap (with float) and use a 2002 cap over the plastic bag.

Pulling the rusty e-brake cables from the body tubes is also really fun!

[M3M3]

i neglected to post pic of our high tech TA bushing tool...

threaded rod, nuts, washers and a piece of radiator pipe.

[M3M3]

as if the last installment wasn't enough. with the subframe noises subdued, new sounds were heard. hmmm...cv joints?

yep. nasty. time for clean out and repack of inner and outer on both sides. and of couse, while i am in there....rear wheel bearings.

the right tools are wonderful on this job.

think these were due.

gone

needs help

gotta get bearing races off the hubs.

all back together...with a few less noises. alas, now i can hear something else..hey, it is 25yrs old...i will find them all eventually!

[bjbarbieri]

You don't happen to have the old strut inserts, shocks, and strut mounts do you? I'm looking for a really cheap set, regardless of condition, to try to test fit on my '67 2000 tilux project. Direct replacements for the tilux are ridiculously expensive, and I've been doing some research and have found a few instances where people have used e30 components with little to no modification. I would like to test fit some used ones before shelling out the cash for new ones. Let me know if you hung onto yours when you replaced them, and if you'd be willing to part with them for a low price for my project.

http://rustandtiluxation.wordpress.com/

Like I said, I'm just looking for the strut cartridges, strut mounts, and rear shocks.

Thanks!

[M3M3]

Upper strut mounts went in trash, but may have all the shocks. Will check tonight.

[bjbarbieri]

Upper strut mounts went in trash, but may have all the shocks. Will check tonight.

Awesome! Thanks so much.

[M3M3]

how about these?

[M3M3]

time to rebuilt front calipers...

crusty old seals

piston out

piston in with new seal

new seals, guide pin bushings, brake hose

then replaced front sway bushings and swaybar end links.

will it ever be done? ;-)

[Kidasters]

will it ever be done? ;-)

Old cars are like houses. When you get to the end of the maintenance, you have to go back to the beginning. Either that - or by the time you are done, you've replaced everything, and it's for all practical purposes a new one....

[M3M3]

this should make all the recuring maint easier...

installed lift and got operating today!

[Raccoon]

Nice lift. Where did you pick it up from? I am finally moving to a place in Feb. that has a garage with enough room to walk around my car and would this lift would be great.

[M3M3]

it is an old Rotary brand mid-rise lift i got from a friend who surplused it. it is perfect for oil changes, brake work, suspension stuff, etc. not good for engine changes or tranny work as it blocks that area under the car. it is also not very low profile so i have 2x12's on either side of it so when i drive bmw's up on it the undercarriage does no hit the lift pads.

i installed it in my main garage (instead of my shop) and park my daily driver on top of it. makes for very easy (5min) tire changes when i need to put the snow tires on!

funny you should bring this up today as when i read your post my e30 was up on the lift for an oil change!

and the e30 has seen 19k miles in last 12 months since i saved it. great commuter car!