1989 E30 Sedan - Suspension refresh - Need help

[Zackemcor]

Search under strut. Find a yard close to you, then call them to indicate your needs and confirm that they still have it.

To your last post about tie rods. I've notice that parts suppliers come and go pretty fast. Here today, gone tomorrow. I'm just happy a new part is available. If multiple suppliers, then I select the most appropriate.

Ok thanks. Going to start dialing for the struts. Hopefully the housings will be available around me.

I was luckly enough to find a set of by Lemforder from Greece on Ebay haha.

Cheers !

Zac

[superj]

try A&J's autoparts in von ormy texas. 210-622-5212

they still had 5 or 6 e30s last time i was up there. if not than try bimmerz n benz in san Antonio. they are actually right next door to a&j but show another town in their address. my kids like bnb better but i have used a&js since 2002 or 2003

[Zackemcor]

try A&J's autoparts in von ormy texas. 210-622-5212

they still had 5 or 6 e30s last time i was up there. if not than try bimmerz n benz in san Antonio. they are actually right next door to a&j but show another town in their address. my kids like bnb better but i have used a&js since 2002 or 2003

Thank you Sir.
Will keep this post going once i get all the parts i need.
I cant believe how active this forum is for E30 communities.

[Zackemcor]

Does anyone have any DIY writeup for the suspension refresh? I am looking to do some of the work myself. And struts, springs by the shop.


Have a nice weekend!

Zack

[Zackemcor]

Good morning,

I am planning to have the subframe dropped. Can someone advise what part number I need to purchase if i want to change the brake lines for the rear? I was told i would need (4) lines. But i am having hard time locating the correct part number.

Zack

[82eye]

just look them up on real oem. grab some steel braided lines if you do.

[Zackemcor]

WOW. Thank you Sir !

[82eye]

WOW. Thank you Sir !

do yourself a favour and do a search for some steel braided brake lines. they are not that expensive are are a great upgrade over stock rubber. garagistic has a good set which is not so pricey.
you can do the struts and springs yourself as well. it's not too bad of a job. might be good for you to give it a try.

[bluptgm3]

Finally, I'm back to the E30 community. Our family recently picked up a 1989 E30 325i sedan and shipped it back to Long Island, NY from the west coast.

just look them up on real oem. grab some steel braided lines if you do.

Use the last seven of the VIN to drill into a fairly precise part listing for you VIN/car.
Use the last seven characters of the VIN.


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[Zackemcor]

Hi good afternoon all,

Can you someone let me know which part this is? Need name of the part and part number. Please see picture.
We are in the middle of the install at the shop.
And we are missing the part that's screwing into the housing. (for the front only)
The strut housing we originally bought didn't come with "the cap". I am now hunting for the parts to finish up the shocks replacement.
Please help.

Pic.jpg

Thank

Zach

[richardodn]

That's just a dust cover #12 https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0211
PN 31331134314

[Zackemcor]

That's just a dust cover #12 https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=31_0211
PN 31331134314

You are correct.

Also i found out i need both the dust sleeve and thread rings. Both x2.

[82eye]

perfect time to install some billies / konis, and h&r springs.

[Zackemcor]

perfect time to install some billies / konis, and h&r springs.

Yes sir!

While I’m there, I am having a shop to do the water pump and timing belt same time. Now the shop running to a minor issue. They are saying that the factory water pump has only one outlet the new water pump that I got as a kit has two outlets. The shop it’s able to cap one of the outlets so it doesn’t leak.

Is this a common issue?

[82eye]

it's the wrong pump. that would be a pump for an early model 325e. you have a late model 325i. the engines are quite similar but a little different from each other.
i suppose you could plug the extra one but it would not be ideal.

also you have to watch your brands like a hawk. get a cheap pump and you could be doing the job again or shopping for an engine within a wk after install. there are some very bad brands out there selling exceptionally poor replacement parts.

the next question is why are you getting a shop to do simple basic maintenance that you can easily accomplish for less than a third of the shop charge with basic tools ?

[Zackemcor]

it's the wrong pump. that would be a pump for an early model 325e. you have a late model 325i. the engines are quite similar but a little different from each other.
i suppose you could plug the extra one but it would not be ideal.

also you have to watch your brands like a hawk. get a cheap pump and you could be doing the job again or shopping for an engine within a wk after install. there are some very bad brands out there selling exceptionally poor replacement parts.

the next question is why are you getting a shop to do simple basic maintenance that you can easily accomplish for less than a third of the shop charge with basic tools ?

I think I would change it out myself when i get it back. I ordered the whole timing belt kit from FCP. Apparently I ordered the wrong kit.
beside the water pump, am I able to use the remaining parts? I really messed this one up.

[82eye]

everything else in the kit is fine.
changing it out yourself is repeating the exact job you are paying the shop for. bolt for bolt. either do the whole job yourself or get them the right pump.

[bluptgm3]

When selecting parts, it is best to first use the *** last seven characters *** of the VIN in www.realoem.com. Browse the parts diagrams and use the supplied part number to purchase replacement parts.


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[Zackemcor]

everything else in the kit is fine.
changing it out yourself is repeating the exact job you are paying the shop for. bolt for bolt. either do the whole job yourself or get them the right pump.

indeed.
i am going to speak with the shop Wednesday.

[Zackemcor]

So, here is some update. Everything has been installed and corrected.
I have to say going with the H&R and Koni was probably the best decision. The ride was nice and comfort but at the same its responsive around corner. I don't know if it has something to do with the other new suspension parts.

Now I will start looking for the correct wheels with correct tires. The way it sits now, doesn't look right. Previous owner had BC Coilcover and used 205 45 16 with 16" BBS style 5. Also installed 42 Draft designs 5 lug adapter(15mm front, 18mm rear). The front sits a little far out. the rear looks good.

I am thinking about square set 16x7 alpina Rep 28mm offset(4x100, that will remove the 5 lugs adapters) and some DWS06 205 50 16 all around. Do you guys think that will complete the look?

[Zackemcor]

Here are some pictures.





IMG_7244.jpgIMG_7271.jpgIMG_7469.jpg



Zac

[bluptgm3]

Looks like you could benefit front a pair of E30 ‘drop hats’ p:n 31336764093




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[Zackemcor]

Looks like you could benefit front a pair of E30 ‘drop hats’ p:n 31336764093

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That may work actually. I need to look into that.
But i still think the existing tire size 205 45 16 is a size smaller. maybe 205 50 16 would look better since it has taller sidewall.

Thank you.

Zac

[82eye]

there's a thicker rear spring pad you could use to offset the lower rear arch a bit. you'll find folk running one, the other, or both depending on how they prefer the stance.

[bluptgm3]

But i still think the existing tire size 205 45 16 is a size smaller. maybe 205 50 16 would look better

Original factory diameter was 14” and the recommended tire size was

Care must be exercised when changing the wheel diameter. To maintain the same tire circumstance the width and profile changes as well. Google “Plus One” concept and there are several “Plus One” calculators online.

TireRack (now under the Discount Tire ‘umbrella’) “Plus One” internal calculator offers a finite selection of alternate sizing






Rear Spring Pad part numbers
SPRING PAD LOWER 33531135420
UPR SPRING PAD 5MM 33531136385
UPR SPRING PAD 7,5MM 33531136386
UPR SPRING PAD 10MM 33531136387
UPR SPRING PAD 15MM 33531094754
UPR SPRING PAD 21,5MM 33531091599

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