monty23psk

[monty23psk]

Getting back to the e30 m3 suspension installation. It's time for the rears. I have rebuilt the used calipers after having them powder coated in gloss black to match the front. Rebuilt with new ATE seals and cleaned up the piston with #0000 steel wool and some CRC brake clean. They were much easier than the fronts. I now have all the main parts to start on the rear. AKG subframe bushings, as well as AKG rear TA bushings. I have new AKG rear show months, Porterfield rs-4 brake pads and new Balo rotors. Will see how the diff is. I do have new seals and fluid for it.  Waiting for some new jack stands to do this inside my garage, instead of in the driveway.

[monty23psk]

Finally got to install something I have head for a few years in my hoarding days. I had bought a driver side euro mirror that includes the outer wide angle strip for better visibility. Here is a picture of my original one on the left which was basically useless. The new one is on the right with the box above. I believe they can still be purchased for about $40. I think I paid $20 as it was like 5-6 years ago. There is no wide angle for the passenger side. I did also buy a perfect used wide angle mirror with the heating element. I wanted to use it but my car is not pre-wired for it, got to love the base m42 cars. I will be selling it, but need to figure out how much. If interested, let me know.

[monty23psk]

Received my MarkD 93 octane chip. Installed and noticed a smoother idle, more power in the mid range and overall a great decision.

Here is a pic of the chip prior to installation.

[monty23psk]

After having my front german license plate for 18 years and its probably older as I came from previous owner, I decided to get a new one from z-plates. Came quickly and looks great. Just getting the car prepped for the Vintage.

[monty23psk]

More prep for the Vintage, finally getting to finish my front seats to match the rears with mtech fabric and micro suede bolters. I first needed to clean up the rails on the passenger seat. A good wire wheel and then a few coats for SEM trim paint to make it look new. Here is one side done and the other still to go. Passenger seat rails are still in much better condition compared to the driver seat.

[monty23psk]

More prepping for the Vintage. I started on the rear end rebuild and got all the brake items removed. Next is to remove the diff/subframe.

I basically finished the passenger seat after all these years. Life and kids came in right after I finished the rear seat. I still need to prep and and paint the hinge covers and levers to recline seat forward for backseat entrance. Seat should go in this week so I can start the same on the driver side.

Here are the rails and even the rod(freshly painted with SEM) ready for the bottom seat. I decided to paint bar to remove the metal finish which showed a little oxidation.



Here is a freshly painted side molding. My original had 2 small cracks so I took it from donor seat. I want to get new stickers but having a hard time finding PNs. Might be NLA and only using reproductions is the way to go. Used SEM prep soap and then the BMW black color from Colorbond.


Here is the bottom put together with the molding, hinge and rail. I installed 4 brand new shocks.


Here is the final view before the trim pieces get installed. Took picture at a weird angle it seems.


I need to rebuild seat belt receptacle or will buy a new one from BMW.

[monty23psk]

Here is the seat installed. Waiting for a new seatbelt receptacle from BMW and waiting for some more suede material to recover the rear panel and change the vinyl.

[E36-italia]

wow, the difference is night and day compared to the drivers seat!
looks super nice!

[monty23psk]

Got a few parts today to complete the passenger seat. New screws for the back panel and the seatbelt receptacle. BMW only makes it with the electrical connector. Not needed on the passenger side.

[monty23psk]

Got the subframe removed today. Very happy that the subframe bushings did not get fused to body like last time. It has been about 10 years since replaced. While I prep to move the items over to the e30 m3 subframe, I decided to get shocks mounted up with the new AKG poly rear shock mounts. Very nice quality and used a BMW supplied gasket. It of course is not a BMW made product but Elring which can be obtained via the aftermarket world. But its a nice to know for next time and that BMW trusts this brand.  I know this is the sought after brand for gaskets but sometimes hard to obtain. Victor Reinz and can't remember the other common brands are crap.

Here is the mount and new gasket.



Here it is installed.


Gave the shock and protector a new cleaning and both are now installed ready for subframe. The old version were Meyle HD and they had some good deep cracks on the bottom side. Nothing where it was loose but it would get there sooner than later. Got a good ~10 years out of them.

Moving on to subframe mounts.

[monty23psk]

Here is a picture of the e30 m3 subframe. From what I can tell, the only difference besides the PN and cost, is that there is an extra bracket for what looks to be an exhaust hanger. You can see it in the picture and it is very close to where the diff mounts. I am going to use this part as well because the owner that I bought it, had installed the tabs from AKG to slot the TA bushings to allow for toe and camber adjustment with BMW OE bolts.

Aerial view of subframe, you can see the AKG subframe bushings. I went with the softest option. Left shows top of bushing exposes and right has the washer on top.


Here is a closeup of the bushing and you can see the tabs that were welded on with the slotted hole.


AKG rtabs with the eccentric bolt through it. The inside of the poly bushings have grooves to apply grease to keep things quiet. I will add ATE plastilube.

[monty23psk]

Currently working on cleaning the diff now that it is out of the care. Also, one TA has the new bushings installed, need to to the passenger side. I also just got new sway bar links as my current ones are 7 years old. Also got AKG rear tow hooks.

[monty23psk]

getting closer to putting it back together.

Using AKG tool removing OEM rubber ones from these e30 m3 rear TAs. The rubber even has the BMW logo


Got all the rtabs installed.


Here is one of the ta arms installed with the eccentric bolts. I tighten them in the middle, to match stock. Will get a 4 wheel alignment when its all back on.



I then decided to replace the rear brake valve T. They call the this the proportioning valve but it is just a T. Single line goes int from the front of the car and then exits out to both rear calipers. Here it is and for $15 dollars new, I decided to do it while I was in there.


The brake fittings has surface rust but nothing major. Key to removed for any of these fitting, flare nut wrenches to prevent stripping. Also lots for grim due to 27 years of use.


Here it is installed but need to get a new mounting bolt. The old one is too rusty for my taste.

[monty23psk]

Ready to install the subframe. Here are all the new parts to make it happen.The original parts just has a little too much surface rust. The subframe bolt and nut are recommended to replace with new ones.




I got it installed. One thing to note, if you are using the AKG bushings, and the eccentric slots and bolts, you need to take a small slice from the top of the bushing and washer to fit a 18mm wrench to adjust. I notice they were touching during the install and then reading online confirmed what I did. I will take a picture of it.

[monty23psk]

Got the driver rear side button up with the brakes. I got the ebrake items installed. I also installed a new rotor with the rebuilt powder coated rear e30m3 brakes to match the front in gloss black. I also added the Porterfields brake pads as well to match the front. Here is a picture of it installed. Just need to bleed it after I do the other side.



Here is another angle. You can see the UUC brake lines after a good cleaning as well as the AKG tow hook.