Not something I want to do again

[davidt]

Over the years I have done most jobs on my facelift 325i car and got to wonder what was the most challenging, for me renewing brake pipes and hoses above the rear beam.

[Cloggy Saint]

Hmmm, never tried that job but I can think of a few I don't want to do again.

[hennabm]

When I did my rear pipes etc I had the prop off and the tank out - which made it easier. Otherwise it can be quite challenging.

[steve_k]

you can replace the rear lines without dropping the rear beam.

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showth ... p?t=346029

that's the guide i used but used all braided steel lines instead.

when i replaced mine i went with braided steel all the way from the bias valve on the inner front wing to a joiner near the fuel filter (single continuous line),

then braided steel (again) from there to a new T piece then a single continuous line to the calipers on each side.

i removed all remains of the old copper lines under the car (no point leaving them there) & when i changed the T piece i cut out & removed the old lines back there as well.

so all in all 4 lines of braided steel, all the joins/union/connections are stainless steel -AN fittings.

not cheap by a long shot but less chance of leaks & i know they wont need doing again for a very long time.

[davidt]

Another issue on my E30 325 was a snapped exhaust manifold stud this happened some years past but I never forgot it luckily it was at the front but still a pain to remove. so if it happens again I have had a jig made by a Toolmaker E30 owner friend, the main problem with drilling the stud out is making sure the drill is dead centre. The jig consists of alloy bar with three holes in it, with steel inserts for fixing and to take two different size drills, pilot drill to centre and main drill that will remove the stud apart from the threads, a tap is then used to clear the threads. Drills and taps are machine shop quality. I appreciate it will be harder to do in the car but getting the drill centred will be a lot easier.

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The jig with steel inserts.

[steve_k]

Another issue on my E30 325 was a snapped exhaust manifold stud this happened some years past but I never forgot it luckily it was at the front but still a pain to remove. so if it happens again I have had a jig made by a Toolmaker E30 owner friend, the main problem with drilling the stud out is making sure the drill is dead centre. The jig consists of alloy bar with three holes in it, with steel inserts for fixing and to take two different size drills, pilot drill to centre and main drill that will remove the stud apart from the threads, a tap is then used to clear the threads. Drills and taps are machine shop quality. I appreciate it will be harder to do in the car but getting the drill centred will be a lot easier.
S1035040.JPG
S1035049.JPG
S1035053.JPG
S1035062.JPG
S1035070.JPG
The jig with steel inserts.

thats near enough the same sort of thing i made up a while back,
makes the job so much easier, i also i use a spring loaded centre punch to make a small "dent" in the stud to help centre the pilot drill bit.

[flybynite]

Replacing the rear bearing on a 245 dog-leg gearbox. So determined was I not to do it again the box was chucked and an overdrive 260 fitted.

Wouldn't mind but the back bearing went in the 260 soon after

[martauto]

Loving that little jig
Good to see us toolmakers are still lurking around .lol

Mart.

[davidt]

Loving that little jig
Good to see us toolmakers are still lurking around .lol

Mart.

Toolmakers are very sought after down here Mart.

[martauto]

Loving that little jig
Good to see us toolmakers are still lurking around .lol

Mart.

Toolmakers are very sought after down here Mart.

As up`t north as well I`m glad to know.

Mart.