E28 - the long slog
Discussion
Started pulling the M535i LSD apart - looks to be in reasonable condition inside. The casing needs blasting and painting, and all the seals need renewing.
For anyone who hasn't seen the inside of a diff:
And for those who haven't seen the outside:
And the all important tag:
You can just about see it says S307blahblah. BMW LSDs are marked with an S, and it's a 3.07 ratio. Should work nicely once it's cleaned up and in.
I'm still looking for a good write-up on how to change the plates in it. If I can do it myself without needing specialist tools then I'll have a crack, otherwise it may have to go to a man who can. We shall see.
For anyone who hasn't seen the inside of a diff:
And for those who haven't seen the outside:
And the all important tag:
You can just about see it says S307blahblah. BMW LSDs are marked with an S, and it's a 3.07 ratio. Should work nicely once it's cleaned up and in.
I'm still looking for a good write-up on how to change the plates in it. If I can do it myself without needing specialist tools then I'll have a crack, otherwise it may have to go to a man who can. We shall see.
Right - Sunday's update:
Fought through the snow to get to Northampton this morning to collect a pair of replacement rear trailing arms. They're not pretty, but they'll do.
To goal today was to get the rear axle on, rear struts on, front arms and struts on and then get it back on the ground on its wheels. Didn't quite happen, partly due to time, and partly because I'm missing some nuts and bolts - annoying.
Anyway, front struts on. Just need some bolts to mount the struts to the plate underneath:
Rear beam is on, driver's rear trailing arm is on, strut is on:
The thread on the bottom of the subframe mounting pin has seen better days, and needed some attention before I could get the nut on:
And for the first time in a long time, it's wearing a wheel again!
Almost looks finished
You can probably just about see the brake disc behind the wheel - it's a 300x10 E34 535i item, and these 14" steelies will just fit over it, so I can keep it mobile on these wheels until I get to the point of fitting the calipers.
My job for tomorrow involves ordering the missing bits I need, and getting the other trailing arm fitted.
I should add, this is all fitted temporarily - once the engine is out and the replacement is test-fitted, the rear end will be coming apart again so that the cosmetics can be sorted. But it'll do for now...
Fought through the snow to get to Northampton this morning to collect a pair of replacement rear trailing arms. They're not pretty, but they'll do.
To goal today was to get the rear axle on, rear struts on, front arms and struts on and then get it back on the ground on its wheels. Didn't quite happen, partly due to time, and partly because I'm missing some nuts and bolts - annoying.
Anyway, front struts on. Just need some bolts to mount the struts to the plate underneath:
Rear beam is on, driver's rear trailing arm is on, strut is on:
The thread on the bottom of the subframe mounting pin has seen better days, and needed some attention before I could get the nut on:
And for the first time in a long time, it's wearing a wheel again!
Almost looks finished
You can probably just about see the brake disc behind the wheel - it's a 300x10 E34 535i item, and these 14" steelies will just fit over it, so I can keep it mobile on these wheels until I get to the point of fitting the calipers.My job for tomorrow involves ordering the missing bits I need, and getting the other trailing arm fitted.
I should add, this is all fitted temporarily - once the engine is out and the replacement is test-fitted, the rear end will be coming apart again so that the cosmetics can be sorted. But it'll do for now...
Output Flange said:
The thread on the bottom of the subframe mounting pin has seen better days, and needed some attention before I could get the nut on:
I should add, this is all fitted temporarily - once the engine is out and the replacement is test-fitted, the rear end will be coming apart again so that the cosmetics can be sorted. But it'll do for now...
E30M3SE said:
Get new studs for the rear beam mount, they are use once items, should be changed when you change the beam bushes.
Yep, they're on my list entitled "parts I'm sure I've ordered, but can't find anywhere", along with the bolts I needed to finish fitting the front struts today 
Four wheels on my wagon, and those wheels back on the ground.
This is still cool, right?
Back on Terra Firma, there's now enough headroom to get an engine hoist to lift the engine and box out, so will get one hired.
Next steps:
- bonnet off
- engine & box out
- remove fuel tank, fuel pumps and lines, brake hard lines
- strip underside
- send for welding to underside
- underseal like a mofo
In the meantime I'll pull the LSD cassette out of the casing. As standard it's a 3.07, but I'm thinking of swapping in a 3.23 CWP from an M3 to make it a little more spritely. The case will then go for blasting, then I can paint it and get it all refitted - new gaskets, seals and bolts arrived yesterday.
Onwards...
This is still cool, right?
Back on Terra Firma, there's now enough headroom to get an engine hoist to lift the engine and box out, so will get one hired.
Next steps:
- bonnet off
- engine & box out
- remove fuel tank, fuel pumps and lines, brake hard lines
- strip underside
- send for welding to underside
- underseal like a mofo
In the meantime I'll pull the LSD cassette out of the casing. As standard it's a 3.07, but I'm thinking of swapping in a 3.23 CWP from an M3 to make it a little more spritely. The case will then go for blasting, then I can paint it and get it all refitted - new gaskets, seals and bolts arrived yesterday.
Onwards...
I've got an M52 2.8 due for delivery once the snow has gone. I'm going to start off with that, but reserve the right to change my mind and put an S50 in at any time
Two things worry me about using an S50, though - firstly, it'll need the M50 sump to clear the steering arms. That can only run a single pick-up, which is probably fine, but not ideal. Secondly, the car won't have massive rubber on the rear, so traction may be an issue.
However, 310bhp, RWD, no TC or ABS and circa 1200kg could be fun...
Two things worry me about using an S50, though - firstly, it'll need the M50 sump to clear the steering arms. That can only run a single pick-up, which is probably fine, but not ideal. Secondly, the car won't have massive rubber on the rear, so traction may be an issue.
However, 310bhp, RWD, no TC or ABS and circa 1200kg could be fun...
Update:
Diff is almost apart - need a bigger hammer for the pinion, as it's not budging. Had thought about swapping to a 3.23 crown wheel and pinion set from an M3, but apparently one has M12 threads and one M14, and I don't fancy faffing about with it, so that's out. The LSD unit will go to a man who can for a refresh, and the case will be blasted and painted. Somehow in taking the back cover off I've managed to break the speedo sensor, so I'll need to order a replacement - £60
Some pics:
Stubborn pinion:
Grotty case:
An M50 sump arrived t'other day. Despite repeatedly saying that I need the oil pickup, there's no oil pickup. There's also no oil level sensor, so that's another £65. And then a new sump gasket, bolts etc etc.
Anywho, the sump:
The benefit of having such a small engine is that there's enough room in the engine bay to stand in while working on it.
What was this:
Got attacked by this:
To become this:
And end up like this:
So, with the engine out the subframe can come out, the fuel and brake lines can come off, the control arms can come off and the whole thing can get tidied up.
More pics for your delectation:
Right, must dash - need to hit something with my precision hammer.
Diff is almost apart - need a bigger hammer for the pinion, as it's not budging. Had thought about swapping to a 3.23 crown wheel and pinion set from an M3, but apparently one has M12 threads and one M14, and I don't fancy faffing about with it, so that's out. The LSD unit will go to a man who can for a refresh, and the case will be blasted and painted. Somehow in taking the back cover off I've managed to break the speedo sensor, so I'll need to order a replacement - £60
Some pics:
Stubborn pinion:
Grotty case:
An M50 sump arrived t'other day. Despite repeatedly saying that I need the oil pickup, there's no oil pickup. There's also no oil level sensor, so that's another £65. And then a new sump gasket, bolts etc etc.
Anywho, the sump:
The benefit of having such a small engine is that there's enough room in the engine bay to stand in while working on it.
What was this:
Got attacked by this:
To become this:
And end up like this:
So, with the engine out the subframe can come out, the fuel and brake lines can come off, the control arms can come off and the whole thing can get tidied up.
More pics for your delectation:
Right, must dash - need to hit something with my precision hammer.
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