E30 Zone

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.

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.

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 !

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

paultv wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:52 am

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


NICE !!

Paul

BristolE30 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:25 pm

Noted on the copper slip!!

Just given your IG a follow. Very cool

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

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

MrBenn wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:53 am

A very well timed review. Just the info I was after