Saturday was Bilstein day

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BristolE30
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Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:43 pm

It was a big day on the wrenches today as my Bilstein B12 pro kit arrived. I purchased new ARB links for front and rear, new top mount for front and rear (Coreco OEM) as well as some ARB bushings for the rear.

I thought about getting new spring pads for front and rear but with having to get them from BM and their being two types (red and blue tagged springs?) I took the risk and the current ones were fine.

It was all smooth sailing until I encountered my first ball joint that was firmly rusted/stuck. No amount of hammering could get her off. A Trip to machine mart and two snapped ball joint tools later I decided to get out the flame torch. A minute of heating and a couple wacks and she popped right out. Without a doubt I’d use fire from the get go next time. Although I did destroy my trailing arm bush boots so I’m going to need to swap them out later. Word of warning if anyone is attempting this.. buy new trailing arms as well!! You’ll likely destroy the boots of the joints in the process unless it was really recently installed.

Getting the rear springs out was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, I had to pry them from the front upwards to get them to violently pop out. Use a bit of force here

9 hours in and done she’s driving better than I’ve ever experienced her before! Firmer, smoother and a more planted feel. Couldn’t recommend the B12 kit to anyone more! It’s not stiff at all compared to coil overs (bad ones). I was a little worried at first after reading around, people saying too stiff etc. It’s literally not. It’s firm but there is plenty of damping for street driving.

Anyway thought I’d just pop my thoughts on here for anyone considering. I’m very happy and so is the 325😎
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BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
BristolE30
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Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:44 pm

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BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
rix313
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Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:34 pm

Heat always helps. For future though use a lever type ball joint splitter as they dont destroy the boots and are much more efficient.

I've supplied a few of these B12 kits and have a set on one of my track cars and it's a very competant kit indeed.
BristolE30
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:09 am

rix313 wrote:
Sat Mar 27, 2021 9:34 pm
Heat always helps. For future though use a lever type ball joint splitter as they dont destroy the boots and are much more efficient.

I've supplied a few of these B12 kits and have a set on one of my track cars and it's a very competant kit indeed.
Yea one of the tools from machine mart was a lever type bit it also snapped! Maybe it was just the brand but I was a little disappointed !
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
Andyboy
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:17 am

If it was Clarke it was made from Chinesium.

Why do so many people say ‘swap out’ these days? It sounds so strange. 😂
BristolE30
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:52 am

Andyboy wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:17 am
If it was Clarke it was made from Chinesium.

Why do so many people say ‘swap out’ these days? It sounds so strange. 😂
Hah do you mean because it’s definitely not a ‘easy quick’ swap?

Tbh now that I’ve cracked the nuts and joints it should be fairly easily replacing the trailing arms
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
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paultv
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:52 am

There's definately something wrong with your car - it's far too shiny :mad: :mad: :mad:


NICE !!

Paul :-)
4th May 1990 325i Convertible.

BMW E30 Cabriolet Best Mod Ever:

https://bmwe30cabriolet-wdm.blogspot.com/
MrBenn
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:53 am

A very well timed review. Just the info I was after :cool:
rix313
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:57 pm

BristolE30 wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:09 am

Yea one of the tools from machine mart was a lever type bit it also snapped! Maybe it was just the brand but I was a little disappointed !
Oo La la they must have been tight!! The other thing I do when re-assembling, is add a bit of copper slip to the tapers. It just means in future if you need to change anything else you shouldn’t have to wrestle it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221845288613
BristolE30
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:25 pm

rix313 wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:57 pm
BristolE30 wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:09 am

Yea one of the tools from machine mart was a lever type bit it also snapped! Maybe it was just the brand but I was a little disappointed !
Oo La la they must have been tight!! The other thing I do when re-assembling, is add a bit of copper slip to the tapers. It just means in future if you need to change anything else you shouldn’t have to wrestle it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221845288613
Noted on the copper slip!!

Just given your IG a follow. Very cool
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
BristolE30
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Posts: 532
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 7:43 pm
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:26 pm

paultv wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:52 am
There's definately something wrong with your car - it's far too shiny :mad: :mad: :mad:


NICE !!

Paul :-)
When there’s nothing mechanical to do on the weekend I’m left with no choice but to wax wax wax!!
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
rix313
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:26 pm

BristolE30 wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:25 pm

Noted on the copper slip!!

Just given your IG a follow. Very cool
:thumb: :thumb:

When I removed my front struts the other week to do my overhaul, they use flew apart. Last time I had the struts off was over 5 years ago.
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Cypriotgeeza
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Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:36 pm

BristolE30 wrote:
Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:43 pm
It was a big day on the wrenches today as my Bilstein B12 pro kit arrived. I purchased new ARB links for front and rear, new top mount for front and rear (Coreco OEM) as well as some ARB bushings for the rear.

I thought about getting new spring pads for front and rear but with having to get them from BM and their being two types (red and blue tagged springs?) I took the risk and the current ones were fine.

It was all smooth sailing until I encountered my first ball joint that was firmly rusted/stuck. No amount of hammering could get her off. A Trip to machine mart and two snapped ball joint tools later I decided to get out the flame torch. A minute of heating and a couple wacks and she popped right out. Without a doubt I’d use fire from the get go next time. Although I did destroy my trailing arm bush boots so I’m going to need to swap them out later. Word of warning if anyone is attempting this.. buy new trailing arms as well!! You’ll likely destroy the boots of the joints in the process unless it was really recently installed.

Getting the rear springs out was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, I had to pry them from the front upwards to get them to violently pop out. Use a bit of force here

9 hours in and done she’s driving better than I’ve ever experienced her before! Firmer, smoother and a more planted feel. Couldn’t recommend the B12 kit to anyone more! It’s not stiff at all compared to coil overs (bad ones). I was a little worried at first after reading around, people saying too stiff etc. It’s literally not. It’s firm but there is plenty of damping for street driving.

Anyway thought I’d just pop my thoughts on here for anyone considering. I’m very happy and so is the 325😎
20200330_095545.jpg
Everytime I have one of those days I think of this picture 😂😂
Check my M30 build threads:
Project Frankenstein: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=194154
Headgasket: viewtopic.php?f=55&t=165704
Clutch issues: viewtopic.php?f=55&t=172482
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Cypriotgeeza
BristolE30
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Posts: 532
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 7:43 pm
Location: Bristol

Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:11 pm

Cypriotgeeza wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:36 pm
BristolE30 wrote:
Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:43 pm
It was a big day on the wrenches today as my Bilstein B12 pro kit arrived. I purchased new ARB links for front and rear, new top mount for front and rear (Coreco OEM) as well as some ARB bushings for the rear.

I thought about getting new spring pads for front and rear but with having to get them from BM and their being two types (red and blue tagged springs?) I took the risk and the current ones were fine.

It was all smooth sailing until I encountered my first ball joint that was firmly rusted/stuck. No amount of hammering could get her off. A Trip to machine mart and two snapped ball joint tools later I decided to get out the flame torch. A minute of heating and a couple wacks and she popped right out. Without a doubt I’d use fire from the get go next time. Although I did destroy my trailing arm bush boots so I’m going to need to swap them out later. Word of warning if anyone is attempting this.. buy new trailing arms as well!! You’ll likely destroy the boots of the joints in the process unless it was really recently installed.

Getting the rear springs out was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, I had to pry them from the front upwards to get them to violently pop out. Use a bit of force here

9 hours in and done she’s driving better than I’ve ever experienced her before! Firmer, smoother and a more planted feel. Couldn’t recommend the B12 kit to anyone more! It’s not stiff at all compared to coil overs (bad ones). I was a little worried at first after reading around, people saying too stiff etc. It’s literally not. It’s firm but there is plenty of damping for street driving.

Anyway thought I’d just pop my thoughts on here for anyone considering. I’m very happy and so is the 325😎
20200330_095545.jpg

Everytime I have one of those days I think of this picture 😂😂
Haha literally. The thought of doing those trailing arms now.. ffs
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
BristolE30
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E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 532
Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 7:43 pm
Location: Bristol

Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:11 pm

MrBenn wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:53 am
A very well timed review. Just the info I was after :cool:
Do it!
BMW E30 316 ‘87
BMW E30 325i ‘88 :bmw:
Bristol, UK
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