Front Struts and Rear Hubs - Page 2

GreatOldOne · #21 7th March 2006, 22:19

Cheers Peter.

Patrick · #22 8th March 2006, 07:18

I've not seem KMS before nice one

Another place to go for parts - thank you.

GreatOldOne · #23 9th March 2006, 14:17

Guys - trailing arm bushes (two per arm). Replace? They look crudy and worn, and perished on the ends sticking out from the arm, but the metal sleeve in the rubber (where the bolt passes through) looks OK...

I'm obssesing, aren't I...

I'll get me coat.

Patrick · #24 9th March 2006, 14:20

I replaced mine - was quite easy to do after dealing with the front wishbone bushes. (Appart from getting the damn things out)

I used OEM bushes, but the other option would be powerflex.

peterux · #25 9th March 2006, 21:27

I replaced mine too, but the when i got the old ones out, there wasn't much wrong with them. (Those BMW guys know how to build a well designed car).

I'm glad I did, though, as they weren't expensive and its unlikely i'll need to do them ever again!

I devised an easy way of getting the old ones out.
Pass a length of thread rod through the centre of the bush and then place a washer and nut one end. Then place a large old socket over the threaded rod the other end followed by more washers and nuts. Then just keep tightening the nuts and the rubber bush wil be pushed out of the wishbone into the socket. (It's easier to do, than write a description!)
Even easier if you put some grease on the threaded rod.
(You can get cheap threaded rod from your local Wickes building shop, but don't use it permantly on the car because it's pretty soft)

To install the new bushes, use the same technique in reverse. I used Silicon spray on the new bushes to help them slide in. Don't use normal grease as this can rot the rubber.

Good luck!

GreatOldOne · #26 31st March 2006, 12:07

Yay!

Just grabbed myself two brand new e30 rear bearings with replacement circlips for £20 of eBay.

Yeah, I know I said I'd give it up, but you know... I have eBayitus....

GreatOldOne · #27 5th April 2006, 12:20

Hmmph. Well, they're going straight back on eBay.

So much for the distilled wisdom of the e30zone forums. "There's no difference between the bearings for an ABS car and a Non ABS car" they said. Oh yes there is. They're too fudgin' small! The hub won't fit in the center race, and the outer race would just fall into the carrier on the arm!

Ah well, ce la vie.

BTW - I'm about to start work on cleaning up the front struts. How much does Marlin cut off the top? I know that the modification is a bit more involved than that, but they obviously get shortened. What I want to know is whether I can cut the top couple of inches off (essentially the bit with the spring seat on it) so It doesn't have to be / get in the way when I'm cleaning the strut.

Ta,

Jason

MartinClan · #28 5th April 2006, 12:57

I think someone might have sold you a pup there. According to ETK the trailing arms seem to be exactly the same no matter which version you have.

I chopped the top of my struts (can't remember why) before sending them to Marlin. Once Marlin modify them they are only about 6 to 8" long.

Robin

Patrick · #29 5th April 2006, 13:18

I did a very rough clean up of the front struts and then finished the job properly after Marlin made the modification. I couldn't get the dampers out of mine!

GreatOldOne · #30 6th April 2006, 11:42

Well - that's sorted. Apparently non ABS cars do have smaller bearings. I talked to the chap who sold them to me - initially to confirm that the correct ones had been sent - and he's agreed to take them back (less his ebay relist fee). So that's saved me having to resell them.

Now all I have to do is source some correctly sized ones! GSF prices look reasonable...