I really hate my "new to me" 325is right now!!

[reelop9]

I'm basically replacing the whole front end except shocks and springs. I'm doing the control arms, tie rods, rotors, pads, and hubs with bearings. Sure she will handle better and feel better when I'm done but not a single part has come off easy. Yeah its 20 years old but come on this bitch will not cooperate. Then when this is done I still need to fix my odometer, figure out why my front door won't lock, install a radio, and figure out which sender in my gas tank is bad. I'm wondering if this thing is ever going to get on the road. If anybody is near Fort Myers, FL and wants to come help, please be my guest.

[thejlevie]

Having the right tools makes this job a lot easier. To me that includes a stubby 22mm box end wrench, a heavy duty ball joint press, a two or three jaw puller (for the inner bearing race) and lollipop, and either access to a press or a bushing kit for CAB.

The fuel level sensor problem should be easy to diagnose. Pull a sensor and check its resistance with the sensor upright (should be 60 ohms) and upside down (should be 0 ohms). If the door won't lock/unlock with the key, the operator on the cylinder is probably broken. If it works with the key and from inside, but not electrically, the operator or wiring is at fault.

The odometer probably just needs new gears.

[reelop9]

Yeah I basically know how to fix everything but its pissing me off. Just wanted to rant

[moberg12]

Tell us what exactly is giving you a problem and we might be able to give you a few pointers.

[tjmonsen5]

Do you have a pickle fork? It helps BIG TIME for removing ball joints from the car.

If your ball joint is spinning with the nut, put a jack underneath it and let all of the weight of the car sit on it. It will stop spinning and you can get the nut off.

The passenger side inner ball joint is a pain, but just take it slow. The only way to do it seems to be removing the passenger side engine mount bolt, and lift the engine a few inches. Then turn it with a 22mm wrench. Maybe you can find a ratcheting 22mm wrench that is slim enough to fit over the bolt, yet have clearance from the motor mount.

[bmgjet]

My 2 most important tools are hammer and blow torch. Alot of bolts come off easy as once they have been heated up a bit. And with the bushes you are replacing them anyway so just melt them out.

[Cha Ching]

My 2 most important tools are hammer and blow torch. Alot of bolts come off easy as once they have been heated up a bit. And with the bushes you are replacing them anyway so just melt them out.

Hahaha...a "BFH" is a must for every e30 owners tool box! Also, I have no wrenching skills to crow about, but I hear that a cordless-impact wrench is also a big time-saver. Get a no-name brand off eBay, Autozone/Kragen/O'Reilly's or Harbor Freight.

[MattH]

It just sounds like the usual old E30 stuff. Just quit bitching and grind through it all. When you get it straightened out it'll be worth all the trouble.

Matt

[billschusteriv]

Right after I bought my car, I decided the change out the brakes and it took me a weekend or two to get the car straightened out. It takes some time to get any used car's maintenance straightened out to a point that is known and you're comfortable with.

Agree with MattH - one thing at a time and it'll be worth it in the end.

Good luck!

[87Cabrio89is]

Quick question re: Passenger side control arm. My '89is has easy access to the center 22MM nut, but my '87 vert does not. Saw mention of a stubby wrench. I was thinking bigger would be better to ensure that the new one would be good an tight when I put it back together. Is space limited for a longer open end wrench? Can seem to gain access even with short socket and bunch of extensions. May lift engine if needed.

Thanks!

[nick325xit 5spd]

My 2 most important tools are hammer and blow torch. Alot of bolts come off easy as once they have been heated up a bit. And with the bushes you are replacing them anyway so just melt them out.

BMW Special Tool 001: Mini-sledge
BMW Special Tool 002: Blowtorch
BMW Special Tool 003: Big ****ing prybar

[flyguy91318]

Ah the joys of fixing things ourselves. OP just take a break have a beer because when you do get things done and take it for a nice little drive all your cares and frustrations will all go away!

[genocide98]

The easiest way to avoid this trouble is to simply not do all the crap unless you have to.

I see a lot of e30 owners go out, buy a car, and do a whole bunch of maintenance that they don't have to for what appears to be no reason whatsoever.