tjts1

[Alpine003]

Great progress.

How hard is it to replace a control arm bushing? I need new ones but didn't know if I needed a press or something to do it right.

Depends on your mechanical skill level, tools, amount of rust on your car, etc. As for a press, you don't need one if you're going aftermarket bushings. The stock OEM ones will need a press.

[tjts1]

This afternoon we took the car out for its first real flogging after the suspension work on the Azenis tires. OMG that was fun. Seriously if you haven't tried them before, drive these tires and mount them on a second set of wheels for special occasions. They are amazing. No understeer, no oversteer, instant turn in and the grip level is way beyond anything you could do on a public road. Sure they probably wear fast (200 wear rating) but you don't life forever either. These wheels and tires are some of the best $200 I've ever spend. Well, next to the $12 impact wrench I picked up at Sears a few months back so I can swap wheels in 10 minutes.
The steering feels very tight with the new control arms, no more clunks or weird noises. My only concern thus far is the way the rear suspension likes to tuck when accelerating. I'm pretty sure I need a new diff mount. I'll probably go poly. Any good recommendation?
This engine with the 4.1 differential is a match made in heaven. Sure it sucks on the highway but thats what I have the Volvo for. On roads like this it keeps the engine in its power band. The torque multiplication is fantastic.
I was all gung ho about getting rid of the PS but now I'm not so sure. I'm coming from a NEON with manual steering and at first the BMW just felt sort of artificial and numb. But on  really twisty road it comes into its own and I feel like I can drive faster with less effort. One of the roads that I was on has more than 100 corners in 5 miles and I can feel the difference in my arms after a while.

I love these tires.


Look familiar? Bet you've seen this road on TV once or twice.




Yum.




Looks knackered to me. Should I replace it with poly?


I wasn't kidding when I said 100 corners in 5 miles. The road is so far out of the way that there is no traffic, no cops, no cell phone service and no center line


I also had an opportunity to check the speedometer vs a GPS device. With the 195/60 tires, the speedometer is exacly 10% too fast. When the speedo shows 70mph, the GPS says 63mph. This also means that I need to reduce my fuel economy calculations by 10%. 3000rpm at 60mph is kind of silly. But its all for the acceleration right? I might start looking for a 3.91 in the near future. Since I have 2 sets of wheels (one for the highway commute and one for fun) I think I might install 195/70R14 tires on the steel wheels. This should bring the speedometer within 2% of the actual speed and reduce highway fuel consumption.

[Alpine003]

Awesome roads. There's something similiar in the midwest but I'm sure you have the better scenery out there.

[ecpreston]

sounds like fun! Hey, the sore arms are a reminder of all the fun you had! Power steering sucks.  :p  

Azenis DO rock.

The diff bushing looks ok to me, that gap is supposed to be there (similar to the front control arm bushing design), as long as there aren't big cracks, it's probably fine. How are the subframe and trailing arm bushings?

[gearheadE30]

I think I need a new diff bushing as well, although I haven't talken a close look yet. The rear end makes a loud thunk whenever I shift remotely hard, but the car tracks great, so I don't think it is the subframe or anything.

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/e30products.html

AKG sells a delrin diff bushing, that is what I will probably end up with.

[tjts1]

I don't get any strange noises or clunks from the back end. In fact the suspension feels smooth but I feel like the rear suspension squats too much when accelerating from a stop or when i engage the hand brake on a hill for example. I  haven't inspected the sub frame mounts but I have looked at the trailing arm bushings. They all pretty much look like this.

I was hoping I could get away with just doing the diff mount because I don't want to take on another big project right now.

AKG sells a delrin diff bushing, that is what I will probably end up with.

I read that derlin bushings are even harder than polyurethane and not really appropriate for a daily driver. I have some experience with poly bushings on my volvos and I liked the results. The poly bushing in this article looks good to me but the author doesn't specify a manufacturer or vendor.
http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_polydiff.php

[gearheadE30]

Thanks for the info, and possibly saving me from another large project

Those bushings don't look like they are going to have an imminent failure, but the cracking isn't good. Needless to say, I bet the handling and peace-of-mind would improve with replacements.

[tjts1]

I went on a little shopping trip at the JY for the 1/2 off sale. I found this cover on an 85 318 with a 3.91 diff.


M3 Z3M bushing? This is going to save me a lot of time and money. Even though the standard bushing in my car is not cracked, I can move the diff up and down with one hand and it also clunks when i shift gears. Cost $10.


Also found a Volvo 940 turbo 17" two speed cooling fan with relay. This is going to replace both the clutch fan and the aux fan in the BMW. The fan will be activated through the existing temp switch in the radiator. I'll have to cut down the shroud a bit but otherwise its a direct fit. Cost $12.


And finally the fiberglass under hood insulation matt from an ETA. Mine didn't have one so I figure this should cut down on the noise a bit.

[tjts1]

Holy cwap my poverty spec 318i was equipped with an LSD from the factory.

[jpod999]

How'd you find a 4.10?  I found a 3.91 today but didn't want to pull it because I want a 4.10.  Got some euro grills though.  

[tjts1]

How'd you find a 4.10?  I found a 3.91 today but didn't want to pull it because I want a 4.10.  Got some euro grills though.  

The 4.1 LSD came in my car from the factory. I just figured out it was an LSD while swapping out the diff cover for the one with the solid bushing I pulled yesterday and discovered the LSD.

[jpod999]

The 4.1 LSD came in my car from the factory. I just figured out it was an LSD while swapping out the diff cover for the one with the solid bushing I pulled yesterday and discovered the LSD.

Whoa that's cool.  That means someone ordered it from the dealer.

[tjts1]

Whoa that's cool.  That means someone ordered it from the dealer.

Yeah I don't know. It was either standard equipment or an option. Did your car come with an open diff from the factory? Either way I'm happy.

The solid diff mount made a world of difference. No more clunky shifts and maybe its just my imagination but I think the rear suspensioun sits about 1/2" higher. I think at this point I have the suspensio where I want it. Now I just have to change the brake fluid and transmission oil. Then I can focus on some cosmetic stuff. Speaking of which.

[jpod999]

No, the LSD didn't come stock on any 4 doors.  The original buyer definately opted for it.  Lucky you!

[tjts1]

I was going to install my newly purchased H4/H1 headlights but then I saw that the headlight brackets were a bit rusty so they had to come out for a quick spray, one thing leads to another and I find myself trying to cut the AUX fan in half with a dremel because it won't come out in one piece. There must be something wrong with me.


Old non functional clifford alarm was hidden behind the passenger side headlight. 2# of weight had to go.


Familiar sight.


They so purdy