Suspension rebuild/upgrades (updated 03/07/07)

[jmc330i]

Great work Ian, as always

Was thinking about ordering the complete reinforcement kit from Turner Motorsports, but I much prefer the aluminium rear ARB mount you have, it looks more up to the job.

Im just wondering how the rear ARB mount is fitted - does the floor need drilling for the top bolt?

Cheers

[ian332isport]

Any chance it'll be finished for tonight? Wouldn't mind a pre-pub see at how well it goes after all this work.

Ste,

I'm afraid it won't be ready for tonight. I'm waiting for a pair of new front brake hoses to arrive before I can bleed the brakes

Later,

Ian.

[ian332isport]

Im just wondering how the rear ARB mount is fitted - does the floor need drilling for the top bolt?

James,

You do need to drill the boot floor I'm afraid. There's actually 2 bolts on the top. One you can see with a nut on the end, and the other screws directly into the aluminium block. There's also a strengthening plate that goes on the inside of the boot to spread the load.

Ian.

[buster]

Ian,
any chance of some pictures of your front brakes ? They look awesome,but only seen them from behind the wheel (and in a photo !).

Good work as always mate,is it still a daily driver ? Its very clean under there if it is.Or does your new job entail undercar cleaning

[Andy335Touring]

Top work as ever, every thing looks new !

By the way, which country are you working on your car because thats way to dry for old blighty at the mo !

[Gwynleym10]

Arhh damm you - makes my work look like poo!

[ian332isport]

Ian,
any chance of some pictures of your front brakes ? They look awesome,but only seen them from behind the wheel (and in a photo !).

I'll take some piccies, but the discs are nasty and rusty from sitting around for a while without use. The calipers are still sexy though

Or does your new job entail undercar cleaning

It's still a daily driver (when it's not up on stands). The new job will entail whatever the customer asks for (within reason)

[buster]

Come on Ian ,lets have those pictures
We dont mind if theres a spec of rust on the disks

[1an]

how much do i wish my car looked like that underneath.

im just converting my car to rear discs and powerflexing the lot but it is no where near as clean as yours.

good thread btw

[dj888]

so clean you can literally lick it!

[slinky2000]

oh my! I wish mine looked like that, lol

[ian332isport]

Come on Ian ,lets have those pictures
We dont mind if theres a spec of rust on the disks

Okay, seeing as you asked so nicely







The measurement in that last picture is a bit deceptive. The discs are actually 322mm in diameter (32mm thick). The calipers are about 11 inches from tip to tip

Ian.

[1an]

bit rusty ian , when ya gonna make the front look like the back?

how many pistons in them calipers then?

[ian332isport]

bit rusty ian , when ya gonna make the front look like the back?

All in good time

how many pistons in them calipers then?

4 pots (from a Porsche 993 Twin Turbo).

[Kos]

brembos then ??

i'm guessing you had to "space" out the disk to clear ball joints and track rod ends when thses first got fitted ??

[ian332isport]

brembos then ??

They are made by Brembo for Porsche. I believe Porsche specify bigger bolts to secure the two halves together, but apart from that, they are pretty much standard Brembos.

i'm guessing you had to "space" out the disk to clear ball joints and track rod ends when thses first got fitted ??

Nope, it bolted straight on. It's bloody tight to the rod end, but it's been fine for around 6 years now. Mov'it designed the kit to be a bolt on conversion, and it pretty much was.

Ian.

[tbmw]

absolutely stunning ian

any links to where you got the front arb links please?

[ian332isport]

any links to where you got the front arb links please?

The links are just standard BMW ones. Do you mean the ARB clamps ?

Ian.

[tbmw]

yea sorry i do mean the clamps

[buster]

thanks Ian ,they look awesome
Id love something like that but i really dont think anything will fit behind my wheels
I've still got a pair of new 4 pot brembo's sat here,just need a bigger disk and wheels that will clear.

[ian332isport]

yea sorry i do mean the clamps

The clamps and bushes are made by Ireland Engineering in the states (http://www.bmw2002.com/). They are normally supplied as part of one of their ARB kits, but I got Dan from Flying Brick performance (http://flyingbrickperformance.com/) to order me just the clamps. You need to specify the bar size to get the correct bushes though.

Ian.

[tbmw]

thanks ian

[Simon13]

i take a big bow! wow my rear axle is now the proper tits. I've got one all clean like that to go on my alpina too

Love it. So now thats all done i take it you can go up to your local tyre place get the tracking done with the 4 wheel laser job and then adjust the rear end to your spec.

You can never have to much neggy camber! which only comes into it's own on track in the dry going flat out round a bend, the rest of the time it's eating tyres i suppose

[ian332isport]

So now thats all done i take it you can go up to your local tyre place get the tracking done with the 4 wheel laser job and then adjust the rear end to your spec.

Yep, after I take it for an MOT (Friday), and get some Tax, It's off down to get the alignment sorted.

Should be fun watching the MOT man trying to find something wrong underneath

Ian.

[ste]

Couldn't get me an MOT while you're there could you?

[Demlotcrew]

Looks really good mate, but i have to ask why you didnt opt for Mcoupe arms and half shafts plus the added reinforcement would be of benefit.

Did you have any problems with the bolts from the E39? I always thought they were too short when i did mines.

So i ordered E34 M5 ones from BMW

[ian332isport]

Did you have any problems with the bolts from the E39? I always thought they were too short when i did mines.

As the kit was originally supplied, the bolts were a little short. You could put a nut on the end of the bolt, but it would not quite go all the way on. To remedy this, I had the thickness of the plates reduced, and this gave full engagement on the nut. There's not a lot sticking out of the end of the nut, but it is on completely.

Ian.

[gareth]

just to drag this up to the top again... where it belongs!


Andrew, are the E34 M5 bolts you refer to the offset ajustable type? eg, as an alternative to the E39 offset ones for rear camber / toe correction?

E39 - item 11 - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=30
E34 M5 - item 3 eccentric - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=33&fg=30

are these the two types? the E34 ones are quoted at 1mm shorter but twice the price

[gareth]

aannddrreeww?
i'm putting an order in for some bits at bmw tomorrow, can you let me know if i have the right p/n for the E34 M5 ones please dude?

[Dave_M3]

I was reading this the other day when I stumbled across the 24 valve site.

Loos great form all the pics etc
When I went home again to put back the bits of my rear beam I felt depressed looking at my rusty looking arms and beam

One day, I'll do the same as you...one day

[Gunni]

Ian your work is amazing,
it really is the standard everybody else should go by.

[brian325i]

now i feel like getting in my car and driving it to the scrapyard.

Hats off to you fella,unbelievable quality of work,

Whats better is that it isnt a trailer queen,its a king of the road

I'll sell you my 24v and my organs for your car,im only 20 so they are in good nick

[fuzzy]

that sure is a clean ,well built set up.
if i had a hat on id be taking it off in respect of your top quality work.
if you have any spare time could you do mine

[StefanAnghel]

this is dedication and passion
good topic fella!
thanks for the pictures

[DanThe]

Bump to the top just to let you all know there is a group buy being arranged for sets of these rear adjuster plates, they will be made to the same spec as Ian used