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#1. Fastest way to change front strut top hats? - from aek@pumpkininc.com
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Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:40:05 -0400 From: "aek@pumpkininc.com" <aek@pumpkininc.com> Subject: Fastest way to change front strut top hats? Hi All. I need to change the top hats (sorry, I don't remember the right name -- it's the plate that is at the top of the strut, held on via the strut not, with the three studs that come up through the body and are held in place via nuts or via a cross brace) on my LWT. I have been using those from a 3.2l car, swapped side-to-side for added camber, but I'v had it with the extreme inside-edge tire wear I've been getting (down to steel on the inside long before the outside is well worn), and so I'm going back to the stock top hats instead. Anyway, what is the _fastest_ way to do this? I figure remove the front wheels, disconnect the sway bar, and then? Is it faster to actually remove the strut, use spring compressors, etc., or just remove the nut from the top, and unload the suspension enough so that the whole thing comes apart as you lower the suspension. Any BTDT advice appreciated. I no longer enjoy working on cars, but I gotta get this done ASAP. Thanks, --Andrew -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ .
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Fastest way to change front strut top hats? - from mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:49:43 -0400 From: mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Fastest way to change front strut top hats? Hi Andrew, Not to state the obvious but, I too run more negative camber for street use then my tires like, so I have the tires turned on the rims after about 10K miles. It helps. Also, there are adjustable camber plates that are very user friendly. regards, Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe (sponsored by WCC & JT-Designs) Philly Region SCCA 2005 Philly Region BSP Champion -----Original Message----- From: aek@pumpkininc.com To: e36m3@bmw-m.net Sent: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 11:45 PM Subject: [E36M3] Fastest way to change front strut top hats? Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:40:05 -0400 From: "aek@pumpkininc.com" <aek@pumpkininc.com> Subject: Fastest way to change front strut top hats? Hi All. I need to change the top hats (sorry, I don't remember the right name -- it's the plate that is at the top of the strut, held on via the strut not, with the three studs that come up through the body and are held in place via nuts or via a cross brace) on my LWT. I have been using those from a 3.2l car, swapped side-to-side for added camber, but I'v had it with the extreme inside-edge tire wear I've been getting (down to steel on the inside long before the outside is well worn), and so I'm going back to the stock top hats instead. Anyway, what is the _fastest_ way to do this? I figure remove the front wheels, disconnect the sway bar, and then? Is it faster to actually remove the strut, use spring compressors, etc., or just remove the nut from the top, and unload the suspension enough so that the whole thing comes apart as you lower the suspension. Any BTDT advice appreciated. I no longer enjoy working on cars, but I gotta get this done ASAP. Thanks, --Andrew -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm ************************************************* ________________________________________________________________________ Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
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#3. RE: [E36M3] WTB - Front Strut Bar - from Goss, Patrick - PA
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 07:57:56 -0500 From: "Goss, Patrick - PA" <Patrick.Goss@GMACM.COM> Subject: RE: [E36M3] WTB - Front Strut Bar Dmitri and I have the rear ones, and I for one absolutely love it. John Mason is decent fellow and will very willingly explain all there is to know about his design. I would have ordered his front one too, but we both already had JTD up front. The front wasn't available last time I was in the market either. I sold a 3rd bar to somebody else on this list, and I haven't heard any good bad from them. I think the general consensus on the Mason's stuff is very big performance payoff for the dollar. Patrick Goss -----Original Message----- From: Paul Andrews [mailto:emosound@verizon.net] Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2006 10:16 AM To: E36M3 Subject: RE: [E36M3] WTB - Front Strut Bar Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2006 10:07:13 -0400 From: "Paul Andrews" <emosound@verizon.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] WTB - Front Strut Bar I've read good things about the Mason Engineering STB on BimmerForums. I've never seen one first-hand, has anyone here used one or seen one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2700110188 59 Paul Andrews 98 Alpine M3/4 -----Original Message----- From: Ivan Petrov [mailto:crazyinp@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 9:46 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] WTB - Front Strut Bar Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:39:03 -0700 From: "Ivan Petrov" <crazyinp@hotmail.com> Subject: WTB - Front Strut Bar I am waiting for my new suspension and I am looking to replace my current strut bar with one that has open ends so I can adjust my Konis. If someone has one for sale email me at crazyinp@hotmail.com. The one I know will work are Dinan, Sparco, JT-Designs and the BMW motorsport if I remove my ASC-T Thanks Ivan ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm ************************************************* ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm *************************************************
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed - from Jamie Howton
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:10:09 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <jhowton@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed > I drained and refilled my coolant this morning on my '99. When I > refilled it, I filled it to the top until fluid emerged from the bleeder > hole. Then I ran the engine until warm, checked for leaks, replaced the > underpanels, then took it for a 15 minute drive (all this with the > climate control set to 90). Everything appears normal. Then I let it > cool (all day) and checked the reservoir. The procedure says to top off > the reservoir, but mine is still pretty much completely full. Should I > take some out down to the Kalt/Cold line? Or is it OK with this much > fluid? I usually take it down to the Cold mark when it is actually cold and overfilled. You can use a turkey baster (don't use your wife's good one) or a large syringe. -- Jamie Howton 2006 M Roadster 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:10:01 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed On Sun, July 23, 2006 7:35 pm, Sean Dowd said: > Should I > take some out down to the Kalt/Cold line? Or is it OK with this much > fluid? You can remove some if you want, but according to one of my mechanics (Ramon at Bavarian Motorsport) it'll be OK with more than "Cold" level. Any excess will bleed out through the cap. (I just replaced the thermostat & housing gasket on Sat - in 112F heat, no less, yuck - and went through the fill/bleed procedure. Cross-checked everything with a phone call to Ramon. Car is good to go.) Hope that helps, Jim Bassett - DIY-er, but also has excellent back-up :-) 1998 M3/4 - next, new exhaust hangers 1993 325is #44 JP - needs new A/C compressor for Thurs/Fri
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed - from Jason Knight
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:08:06 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason Knight <knight2244@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed Ummmm...are you at minimum weight? Jason --- Jim Bassett <jim@jimbassett.com> wrote: > 1993 325is #44 JP - needs new A/C compressor for > Thurs/Fri >
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Fastest way to change front strut top hats? - from Andrew Kalman
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:09:33 -0700 From: Andrew Kalman <aek@pumpkininc.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Fastest way to change front strut top hats? Thanks to all who replied -- I'll do it my usual way (full strut removal, spring compressors, and special nut tool) just because that way there are no surprises. -- ______________________________________ Andrew E. Kalman, Ph.D. aek@pumpkininc.com
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:15:35 -0700 (PDT) From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed On Mon, July 24, 2006 11:08 am, Jason Knight said: > Ummmm...are you at minimum weight? Ummmmm...yes :-) With (soon-to-be) working A/C and sunroof, even. I drive the car to/from the track, so I need the former. Of course, in Prepared it's weight with driver, and since I weigh a whooping 133lbs <g>, the car can be "heavy". Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 JP - Class min: 2900, last official weight: 2932 w/a bit more fuel on board than usual :-)
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed - from Mark D.
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Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:05:49 -0400 From: "Mark D." <mdlkml@atari-source.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed On Mon, 2006-07-24 at 13:17 -0500, Jim Bassett wrote: > Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:15:35 -0700 (PDT) > From: "Jim Bassett" <jim@jimbassett.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Coolant Level After Replace and Bleed > > On Mon, July 24, 2006 11:08 am, Jason Knight said: > > Ummmm...are you at minimum weight? > > Ummmmm...yes :-) > > With (soon-to-be) working A/C and sunroof, even. I drive the car to/from > the track, so I need the former. > > Of course, in Prepared it's weight with driver, and since I weigh a > whooping 133lbs <g>, the car can be "heavy". You can have some of my 235 pounds. Around 65 pounds should be fine :-P Thanks, Mark
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#10. OEM body parts source: Local to PA NJ DE MD - from Goss, Patrick - PA
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Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:26:50 -0500 From: "Goss, Patrick - PA" <Patrick.Goss@GMACM.COM> Subject: OEM body parts source: Local to PA NJ DE MD Anybody have a good source relatively local to southeastern PA, looking for a supplier that wholesales (or close to it, something better than dealer) for NEW oem parts for bumper, front panel, related baggage etc. Thanks, Patrick Goss 97 M3/4