I know I need to get some photos up, but I've been flat out since last weekend, physically sorting the car out.
I finished the majority of the work yesterday afternoon, and fitted the coilovers (BC) thus morning. Then it came to drilling out the exhaust studs...OMFG, what a mare. If anyone else has to tackle this, please, please, please, get some uber good drill bits - it took me the best part of two hours to get through them.
Fitting the new drop links wasn't great either - I ad to remove the ARB from the subframe (easier with bolts made from metal, not cheese), and then squeeze the links onto the ARB in a vice. I need a 13mm ratchet spanner, as attaching the links to the upper wishbone was tiresome.
Fitting the exhaust wasn't entirely straightforward either - one of the hangers slipped out of the rubber mounting, landing on me, then on the floor, denting one of the tips :-(
Adjusting the handbrake was new to me as well - BMW really should get with the programme and fit calipers that have an integral mechanism. I adjusted the shoes, but the lever was very high - it turns out that there is a yellow spring under the handbrake itself, and in the middle of this spring us a clip that pokes out. By shifting the clip with a screwdriver, the clip sits back inside the spring, and permits auto adjustment of the handbrake lever - sorted! I also had to rewire the on/off wire, as it had come out during installation - not easy, but doable with a long screwdriver and thin long nose pliers.
Whilst fitting the front struts, I snapped tje headlight level sensor, so I'll need a new one of those. First of all however, is an alignment - the car feels less bumpy than before, but it's quite nervous. I'll allow the ride height to settle thereafter, and revisit the settings.
Photos will follow idc!
I finished the majority of the work yesterday afternoon, and fitted the coilovers (BC) thus morning. Then it came to drilling out the exhaust studs...OMFG, what a mare. If anyone else has to tackle this, please, please, please, get some uber good drill bits - it took me the best part of two hours to get through them.
Fitting the new drop links wasn't great either - I ad to remove the ARB from the subframe (easier with bolts made from metal, not cheese), and then squeeze the links onto the ARB in a vice. I need a 13mm ratchet spanner, as attaching the links to the upper wishbone was tiresome.
Fitting the exhaust wasn't entirely straightforward either - one of the hangers slipped out of the rubber mounting, landing on me, then on the floor, denting one of the tips :-(
Adjusting the handbrake was new to me as well - BMW really should get with the programme and fit calipers that have an integral mechanism. I adjusted the shoes, but the lever was very high - it turns out that there is a yellow spring under the handbrake itself, and in the middle of this spring us a clip that pokes out. By shifting the clip with a screwdriver, the clip sits back inside the spring, and permits auto adjustment of the handbrake lever - sorted! I also had to rewire the on/off wire, as it had come out during installation - not easy, but doable with a long screwdriver and thin long nose pliers.
Whilst fitting the front struts, I snapped tje headlight level sensor, so I'll need a new one of those. First of all however, is an alignment - the car feels less bumpy than before, but it's quite nervous. I'll allow the ride height to settle thereafter, and revisit the settings.
Photos will follow idc!
