What tools are needed to rebuild an e30 top to bottom?

[Bigguns]

Just like the title says, i want to rebuild my e30 325i cab top to bottom, as much as i can do anyway.

Im not going to start any time soon, as i want to get all the money i'll need and read up on everything i can.

Ideally i'd like the a list of the main tools needed and then tools which would 'help'.

Also if you have any idea on the cost of the tools that would be great too.

Has a complete rebuild ever been done, and has it been documented?

Does anyone know the best picture-tutorials to follow or look at.


thanks guys.

[karaokebykris]

varying sizes of hammer are a must lol

[choppa7]

13mm and 17mm Spanners/Sockets

Selection of Torx sockets and driver bits

Large flat head screwdriver

[diamondblacke28]

is the m10 gearbox a straight forward bolt on for the m30.
and does it match up with the m30 fly wheel

[march109]

varying sizes of hammer are a must lol

tut tut - its a variable momentary pressure applicator.

well off the top of my head:

welder
trim remover
metric spanner set (possibly x2 with ring ends too)
hex key set
phillips and flathead screwdrivers assorted
viscous coupling spanner
long length of pole
ramps/axle stands
at least 2 trolley jacks
torque wrench (or two)
multimeter
monkey wrench's
plastic zip tie bags/blank labels and lunch boxes for nuts and bolts and stuff
rivet gun (naughty me!)

added:
brake bleed kit
flaring tool kit
funnel
pans for catching fluids
gloves
old rags


I'll add and edit the list as I think of more

[diamondblacke28]

bigguns.

checkout the articals section at the top of the page.
then click on technical menu.
and then click heading. stripping/rebuilding cylinderhead

[karaokebykris]

Yeah M10 manual gearbox does line up with M30 engine bolt for bolt, not sure which flywheel you use tho probably m30.

sorry for hijack

[cliffybabe]

A hammer


And lots of chrome polish

[Rosc0PColtrane]

p38?

[munky30]

varying sizes of hammer are a must lol

tut tut - its a variable momentary pressure applicator.

well off the top of my head:

welder
trim remover
metric spanner set (possibly x2 with ring ends too)
hex key set
phillips and flathead screwdrivers assorted
viscous coupling spanner
long length of pole
ramps/axle stands
at least 2 trolley jacks
torque wrench (or two)
multimeter
monkey wrench's
plastic zip tie bags/blank labels and lunch boxes for nuts and bolts and stuff
rivet gun (naughty me!)

added:
brake bleed kit
flaring tool kit
funnel
pans for catching fluids
gloves
old rags


I'll add and edit the list as I think of more

Bush removal/fitting tool thing
ball joint splitter
spring clamps
engine hoist
a mechanic

[Bigguns]

Thanks guys for your input so far.

diamondblacke28 - i've looked there and read everything, i was just hoping for more guides, as it helps to see different angles and different ways of explaining it.
i've just bought a book called BMW E30-3 Series Restoration Bible, hopefully it will be good.

[Bigguns]

Bush removal/fitting tool thing
ball joint splitter
spring clamps
engine hoist
a mechanic

a mechanic, yea tell me about it! i'd like to do everything myself but i just dont think i'll be able too.

[munky30]

Well to be honest... its not a necessity.

I'm a proper mechanical retard and I managed to do an engine swap and assorted other things on my tod. The mechanic I had to help me caused more problems than he fixed.

But I did have a good mechanic (not the same one) on the end of the phone a few times to help me with some bits.

Oh and one more essential tool.... The technical help section of this forum.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

varying sizes of hammer are a must lol

tut tut - its a variable momentary pressure applicator.

well off the top of my head:

welder
trim remover
metric spanner set (possibly x2 with ring ends too)
hex key set
phillips and flathead screwdrivers assorted
viscous coupling spanner
long length of pole
ramps/axle stands
at least 2 trolley jacks
torque wrench (or two)
multimeter
monkey wrench's
plastic zip tie bags/blank labels and lunch boxes for nuts and bolts and stuff
rivet gun (naughty me!)

added:
brake bleed kit
flaring tool kit
funnel
pans for catching fluids
gloves
old rags


I'll add and edit the list as I think of more

Bush removal/fitting tool thing
ball joint splitter
spring clamps
engine hoist
a mechanic

The patience of a saint or a suitable chemical substitute!!!

[march109]

Bush removal/fitting tool thing
ball joint splitter
spring clamps
engine hoist
a mechanic

a mechanic, yea tell me about it! i'd like to do everything myself but i just dont think i'll be able too.

honestly don't see why not, as long as you have a spare car for those days when things don't go so well!

[Bigguns]

well to put it in context the only engine i've ever really looked at is a lawn mower. So i've got loads of learning to do, but it something that im hoping i'll enjoy - tbh i do like learning new 'skills'.

i've got an e60 for my day to day driving i just want this to be my weekend car.


btw whats the safest way to get under a car and remove the the rear and front ends?

[munky30]

Before I got my e30 the most I had ever done to a car was top up the coolant.

These are great cars to learn on.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Before I got my e30 the most I had ever done to a car was top up the coolant.

These are great cars to learn on.

Fair play mate!!!

I need a second one to tinker with!!!!

[munky30]

btw whats the safest way to get under a car and remove the the rear and front ends?

Ramps. A pit... a 4 poster lift.

Failing that, axle stands.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

btw whats the safest way to get under a car and remove the the rear and front ends?

Ramps. A pit... a 4 poster lift.

Failing that, axle stands.

Or dig a big hole in the floor and drive over it!

[Bigguns]

lol ok so in reality in my garage, axe stands. i've only seen pictures but they look so weak and pathetic, wont the car fall off them someone pushes the car?

[Rosc0PColtrane]

lol ok so in reality in my garage, axe stands. i've only seen pictures but they look so weak and pathetic, wont the car fall off them someone pushes the car?

Not if the hand brake is on (when the front is jacked) and where do you live for this scenario to be a serious consideration?

[JohnnyThunders]

lol ok so in reality in my garage, axe stands. i've only seen pictures but they look so weak and pathetic, wont the car fall off them someone pushes the car?

Yeah possibly but that can be avoided by not letting anyone in your garage who requires you dead.
You will also need
200 lambert and butler
large jar of nescafe
post to lean on

well thats what all the mechanics i know use.

[munky30]

I've never liked the look of axle stands but they are up to the job at hand.

One on each front chassis rail thing and jobs a good'un.

There was a very handy pic of where to put them posted up recently but I dont know where...

As to it falling off... bmw's come with a handy wheel chock in the boot

[charlE30]

Axle stands are better than they look, got all the suspension of one of mine and it's rock solid



This photo might also help with getting the car up did you mean this one munky??

[Bigguns]

Thanks for that, thats a good picture.
Can you really use a jack on the LSD? i would have thought the pressure on it would damage it.
The only thing i really worried about is, when your trying to take a stiff bolt off, the force you apply to the spanner, will push the car off the stands.
charlE30 - any chance you could take a picture of the exact part of the car is coming into contact with the stand. i'd just like to see what it looks like when it sitting correctly.

thanks.

[munky30]

Axle stands are better than they look, got all the suspension of one of mine and it's rock solid



This photo might also help with getting the car up did you mean this one munky??

Thats the jobby.

[charlE30]

charlE30 - any chance you could take a picture of the exact part of the car is coming into contact with the stand. i'd just like to see what it looks like when it sitting correctly.

thanks.

I can but will have to be tomorrow or saturday

Charlie

[Bigguns]

if you could please that would be great.

[--alpina--]

So munky, you got so fed up and thought F--K it and just pushed the car over to its side with a few mates and started to work under it?? LOOOOOOOOOOL ill give you a call when im ready you could give me a hand too!!!




j

[munky30]

eh?

[e30bmlover]

oxygen acetylene tourch is a must!!!

[Bigguns]

Yea i dont get that, why is a wielding tool needed?

[munky30]

To cut out and weld the inevitable rust.

[Bigguns]

lol, me and fire, well have a history - should i give up now