Roast my suspension refresh and shifter rebuild

[ManualTrans]

I’ve just picked up a 1999 M3 convertible with 146K miles for 6k. The car is a bit of a project, the previous owner told me the owner 3 owners back did a lot of mods and the guy he bought it from didn’t know anything about it. I’ve rented a lift for Thursday and Friday and will be completing the work detailed in this post. I’d appreciate if you could give me feedback on my parts list and let me know if there are any tools I’ll be needing or wanting. I need to have the car in drivable condition again before a road trip on July 2nd so I can sell my old e93.


Work to be Performed
Shifter linkage/clutch drag
In summary the car has perhaps a tiny bit of clutch drag, some apparent air in the brake fluid and I broke the gear shifter bearing trying to change the aftermarket shift knob. I’m throwing in a new slave cylinder since I’ll be under there just in case the flush isn’t enough to address the clutch drag. Steering feels lightly vague so I’ll do the coupling since I’m in there already.
- Gear shifter bearing PN: 25111220600 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ng-25111220600
- Gear shift bushing PN: 25111222015 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ts-25111222015
- 2x transmission mounts PN: 22316799331 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...nt-22316771219
- Slave cylinder PN: 21526775924 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...r-21526775924f
- Shift Lever Carrier Bushing PN: 25117507695 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ts-25111221822
- Shift Rod Circlip PN: 25117571899 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vai...ip-25117571899
- 2x Red Line Transmission Fluid D4 70W-80 1 Quart - 30504
- 1x Pentosin 1 Liter DOT 4 Brake Fluid - 1204116 (erm just realizing I might need a second bottle…)
- Steering Coupling PN: 32311092949 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...36-32311092949


Suspension refresh
I’ll be doing new front control arms, RTABs and trying to get as much rubber refreshed as possible without dropping the subframe. The PSS9s will get set to the highest possible setting and alignment done close to stock, perhaps with a bias towards spirited street driving. I’d love to hear suggestions for alignment numbers.
Front
- Control Arm; Front Left and right Lower PNs: 31122228461, 31122228462 https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/BM-31122228461 https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/BM-31122228462
- Sway bar end link PN: 33551124375 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-33551126932-1
- 2x front Sway Bar Bushing PN: 31351135805 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...in-31351135805
- 4x Hex Bolt PN: 31111137888 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...36-31111137888
- 2x Self Locking Hex Nut PN: 32216769539 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ut-32216769539
- I don’t believe I’ll be removing the struts, but juuust in case 2x Strut Mount Lock Nut PN: 31106774714 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...in-31106774714
- Control Arm Bushing Kit; Front Lower Arm for Bracket Mount PN: 31129069035U https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/31129069035U
- Left and right tie rods PNs: 32111139315, 32111139316 https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/32111139315OE https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/32111139316OE
Rear
- 2x Trailing Arm Bushing; Rear Arms; Front Position; M3 Upgrade PN: 33326770817 https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/33326770817
- Daystar Suspension Trailing Arm Bushing Reinforcement Spacer Set; Rear PM: 093031010 https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/DY-093031010
- Currently trying to find some rear sway bar bushings as I seems to have forgotten then, PN: 33552227240


Rear diff sounds like it’s making a tick sometimes when accelerated hard then cruising in gear. I’m guessing the LSD needs fluid
- Red Line Synthetic Gear Oil GL-5+ 75W-140 1 Quart - 57914
- I’m an idiot and forgot to order the crush washer, planning to just heat it red hot so it deforms again for a good seal if I cant get it at the dealer today


Tools/consumables
- E10 socket set
- Impact Wrench
- Electric ratchet
- snap ring pliers
- Lift rental spot told me they’ve got a press for bushings
- Rear trailing arm bushing removal tool -
- Tie rod removal tool - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RPS2X1Z...fed_asin_title
- Trailing arm bushing tool - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKHHPFFY...fed_asin_title
- Pressure bleeder - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081HD3CNB...fed_asin_title
- Silicon lubricant - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRBSBJS9...fed_asin_title
- PSS9 coiler spanner wrench - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8SMG33J...fed_asin_title
- 2x fluid transfer pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP4SJLY1...fed_asin_title
- A ton of penetrating oil to soak before, it’s a California car but I’d like my bolts to come out easy
- Pickle fork
- Torque wrench


The suspension has PSS9’s set too low and too stiff, I’ll be bringing them close to stock Heights and doing a front/rear bushing refresh. So far I’ve figured out the car has orange camber plates and red adjustable rear toe arms, things otherwise look stock. This car is amazing in the corners.


A complete list of the jobs we intend to do
- The shift bushing must be replaced and the shift bushing with it
- Transmission fluid
- Slave cylinder
- Brake bleed/fluid replacement
- Transmission bushings
- Steering guibo
- Diff fluid to fix the sticking noise
- Front control arms + bushings
- Rear trailing arm bushing
- Sway bar bushings


Is there any part I’ve forgotten or should get while I’m in there? Any tool I’ll need or consumable I’ve forgotten? I’m hoping to front load all the planning so the project goes as smooth as possible as I realize its an ambitious project.

[scooper]

motor mounts, diff bushings (delrin for the center one), rear shock mounts

[pbonsalb]

There are over 30 mounts, ball joints, bushings and links. Replace them all and the car will ride great. There are also suspension reinforcement parts — front subframe motor mount area, rear subframe swaybar tabs, rear trailing arm bushing brackets, rear strut tower plates, front strut tower plates.