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#1. RE: [E36M3] Looking for Trouble - from Mel Silva
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 11:03:32 -0600 From: "Mel Silva" <melsilva@mindspring.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Looking for Trouble Doug, Having performed the alignments on M3's, 5'ers, a couple of Porsches, and some domestic iron, I will tell you that main thing I have found to reduce "twitchiness" is to check the toe, both front and rear. As little as half a degree of toe out in the rear can make the car transition in to corners much quicker for a race car, but trying to go straight down the highway with this setup will feel from skittish to downright psychotic. A similar scenario is played out on the front suspension if there is also additional negative camber (ie: lowered vehicle) in the mix. I didn't notice this until greater than half a degree total toe, but the car seemed to dance between the front wheels and since they were pointing in opposite directions, the steering wheel needed constant input to keep the car straight. One more thing to check, is to put the car on the alignment rack, and get a baseline reading or a re-alignment. Then drive the car and immediately put it back on the rack to see if the baseline and the new readings are the same. If they are not, you have worn components that need service. Mel -----Original Message----- From: The Buch [mailto:the_buch@telus.net] Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 10:33 AM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Looking for Trouble Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 08:33:17 -0800 From: The Buch <the_buch@telus.net> Subject: Looking for Trouble Having in place the E46 RSMs, BMW x-brace and UUC front strut tower bar, and now recently replacing springs (H&R OEs), struts/shocks (Koni SAs), and tires (S-03s), and re-aligning the car a couple of times to find the right spot, I am still not happy. My car just seems dangerously 'twitchy' in certain situations, particularly on ridgey or uneven pavement at higher speeds where I really get pushed around. Of course, I was expecting to have to do a bit more work as a driver due to moving from the stock configuration, but it just seems like I am missing something else which is simply wrong. This is a '99 M3 with 50,000 miles. Is there something simple I can do to observe or test the condition of other critical suspension components and bushings?? Perhaps this is as good as it gets when compromising from the stock setup in the name of performance?? Thanks, Doug ************************************************************* List Commands UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. DIR - sends a listing of files available in the list's GET directory. GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the requested file(s). To issue a command/request to the server: Send a message with the command you wish executed as the subject of the message to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. *************************************************************
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#2. re: Looking for Trouble - from andy radin
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:13:11 -0800 From: "andy radin" <fourfa@mindspring.com> Subject: re: Looking for Trouble "My car just seems dangerously 'twitchy' in certain situations, particularly on ridgey or uneven pavement at higher speeds where I really get pushed around" that sounds odd, since I have the same setup as you (plus Ground Control toe bushing inserts) and find it unshakably stable. Did you check the rear toe bushings? Try slamming on the gas and abruptly letting off at freeway speed. If the rear seems to pull to the side, the toe bushings are shot. andy r. 98 m3/2
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#3. A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble - from Steve Klein
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 11:38:27 -0600 From: Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> Subject: A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble Hello, all- A few questions, if I may: 1) The Crumble: The white quarter sections of my hood emblem are crumbling and flaking away (the blue is still intact). Tho' minor, where can one find a replacement and the corresponding method of removal and refittment? 2) The Squeak: I've begun to hear a squeaking from the steering column lately, just in front of the dash. It is intermittent but destroys the billet-solid feel of the car that I've grown to love. Any thoughts as to how I can amend? And while on the topic, what other elements of the interior/car can bear a periodic check and tightening? 3) The Grunt: An elusive suspension noise, like a squeak but lower in tone that comes from the left front wheel and only occurs once per sortie, always when I first pull away, usually when I've turned the wheel (though it occurs whiteout as well). I would guess a dry or worn bushing or ball joint, but guessing makes me nervous, and that's why I ask the collective wisdom of the group. :?D Stock '95, 102K mi daily driver, and although incredibly clean when I purchased it from the original owner, having to deal with a plastic impeller failure/replacement leads me to believe that no long term wearing parts have been replaced. I'd like to begin performing as many repairs as possible myself. Since I've been privy to the list, I've been reading and saving all the repair resources discussed and feel that most are quite within my range of ability and tool set, and shelling out $550 for a water pump replacement to a garage has left me kicking myself with the knowledge I now have at hand. All help is greatly appreciated. I'm a lurker since I've little to contribute at this point and much to learn, but I'm truly grateful for the open helpfulness and camaraderie of this list. Thanks in advance to all Steve, KC,MO '95 M3 Stock '87 Saab 900S (as in Sick tranny, the reason I got the M3!) '00 ZX-9R (also sick after a chunk of road rubbish chucked us off. Love my helm, gloves and leathers!) P.S. How can I remove the internal rear-view mirror to design a new, more convenient mount? I do 3D design and am lucky to have close access to a few CAD milling shops that I hope to employ.
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Laguna Seca in May? - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 09:59:42 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Laguna Seca in May? At 08:33 AM 3/29/02, twisty M3 wrote: >GGC is having an event at Laguna Seca on May 4-6. Anyone on the list going? I *may* be there, instructing. >I shouldn't really be considering it, No, you really SHOULD be considering it. :-) >but I can't help thinking that you only live once, it IS Laguna Seca, >which I've never driven before Gah!?! You've never driven Laguna?? Shame on you! <bg>. >(in real-life anyway) Is there any other kind of life? >and it's a little less expensive than other schools I've seen ($520). About right for Laguna, but more than Thunderhill or Buttonwillow (or even Sears, I think). >A few more familiar names attending and I'm sure I can sell myself on this >(since I have to get my check out today by Fed Ex to get into the April 1 >lottery). Well, according to the "Status" page at the GGC web site, there were ~80 applicants as of yesterday, so I would say you've got a pretty good shot of getting in. (Disclaimer: I am NOT an official representative of he chapter, and I don't know how many students they'll sign up - usual number is 100.) Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 KP
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#5. Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 10:10:14 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble At 09:43 AM 3/29/02, Steve Klein wrote: >1) The Crumble: The white quarter sections of my hood emblem are >crumbling and flaking away (the blue is still intact). Tho' minor, where >can one find a replacement and the corresponding method of removal and >refittment? Any of the usual BMW parts places should have them, I think: BMP Design, Bekkers, Rocky Mountain Motorworks and a couple of the mail-order dealers that seem to get good mentions: Nick Alexander & Pacific BMW. >2) The Squeak: I've begun to hear a squeaking from the steering column >lately, just in front of the dash. It is intermittent but destroys the >billet-solid feel of the car that I've grown to love. Any thoughts as to >how I can amend? And while on the topic, what other elements of the >interior/car can bear a periodic check and tightening? Is it in the steering wheel itself, squeaking when turning? Then that's a common problem, replacing the internal slip ring fixes it, I believe. (Speaking of which, anyone have a DIY set of instructions for this? I occasionally have this squeak, and my want to tackle the repair myself.) >P.S. How can I remove the internal rear-view mirror to design a new, >more convenient mount? I do 3D design and am lucky to have close access >to a few CAD milling shops that I hope to employ. Turn it about 90 degrees, either left or right. It comes right off. Hope that help, Jim Bassett
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#6. Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble - from Andrej Dolenc
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 13:45:12 -0600 From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble Steve Klein writes: > P.S. How can I remove the internal rear-view mirror to design a new, > more convenient mount? I do 3D design and am lucky to have close access > to a few CAD milling shops that I hope to employ. It's a bayonet mount, just twist the mirror and it'll come off. The adapter's already been done, surf over to here: http://www.z3mirrors.com/default.htm for some options. Andrej '97 M3
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#7. Good alignment shop in the SF East Bay - from peter@guagenti.com
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 10:42:48 US/Pacific From: peter@guagenti.com Subject: Good alignment shop in the SF East Bay I need a good alignment shop in the SF East Bay, preferably someone around the San Ramon/Walnut Creek area. My car is suffering from a really bad steering wheel shake at anything over 70mph. I want to check my alignment in the hopes that that is the culprit. Any advice is appreciated. -peterg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using HiSpeed Technologies Webmail. http://www.hispeed.com
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#8. Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble - from donna seeley
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 10:56:18 -0800 From: donna seeley <dlseeley@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble You can find these rare roundels on eBay for about $15 or at your dealer for about $3. (sorry, I couldn't help myself) Donna On Friday, March 29, 2002, at 09:43 AM, Steve Klein wrote: > Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 11:38:27 -0600 > From: Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> > Subject: A Squeak, a Grunt and a Crumble > > Hello, all- > > A few questions, if I may: > > 1) The Crumble: The white quarter sections of my hood emblem are > crumbling and flaking away (the blue is still intact). Tho' minor, where > can one find a replacement and the corresponding method of removal and > refittment? > > Steve, KC,MO >
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#9. Re: Looking for Trouble - from The Buch
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 12:00:12 -0800 From: The Buch <the_buch@telus.net> Subject: Re: Looking for Trouble Another thing I do notice, is when transitioning from deceleration to acceleration or visa versa, it feels almost like there is a bit of slack in the drivetrain somewhere ... could this be the toe (trailing arm??) bushings?? Thanks, Doug andy radin wrote: > "My car just seems dangerously > 'twitchy' in certain situations, particularly on ridgey or uneven > pavement at higher speeds where I really get pushed around" > > that sounds odd, since I have the same setup as you (plus Ground Control toe > bushing inserts) and find it unshakably stable. Did you check the rear toe > bushings? Try slamming on the gas and abruptly letting off at freeway > speed. If the rear seems to pull to the side, the toe bushings are shot. > > andy r. > 98 m3/2
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#10. Re: Looking for Trouble - from The Buch
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Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2002 12:07:44 -0800 From: The Buch <the_buch@telus.net> Subject: Re: Looking for Trouble Thanks for the advice Bob ... I am running +11minutes of toe on each side in the rear and +9minutes of toe on each side in the front, in addition to 1.75degrees of negative camber (each side) in the rear and 0.90 degrees of negative camber (each side) in the front ... I am, as you suggest, suspecting something else has gone off?? Thanks, Doug BobTunnell@aol.com wrote: > >Having in place the E46 RSMs, BMW x-brace and UUC front strut tower bar, > >and now recently replacing springs (H&R OEs), struts/shocks (Koni SAs), > >and tires (S-03s), and re-aligning the car a couple of times to find the > >right spot, I am still not happy. My car just seems dangerously > >'twitchy' in certain situations, particularly on ridgey or uneven > >pavement at higher speeds where I really get pushed around. Of course, > >I was expecting to have to do a bit more work as a driver due to moving > >from the stock configuration, but it just seems like I am missing > >something else which is simply wrong. > > Doug, > > With that suspension package your car should *not* feel dangerously twitchy. > > What toe settings are you running? I've run zero toe in front and 1/4"-1/2" > toe-IN in the rear in E36 M3's with various suspensions for many years and > have *never* encountered the kind of handling you're describing. > > As long as you're running the above toe settings and not more than -3 degrees > camber in front and -2 degrees in the rear, your car should handle like a > dream on the track and the street. > > If not, something else (worn steering rack, torn trailing arm console welds, > loose tie rod/control arm ends, etc.) is very wrong. > > --Bob