.

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[g8jka]

That looks awesome

 

[Jack Ratt]

Great work Adrian, when I see someone working on gravel it sends a shiver down my spine. Kneeling on sharp pebbles/stones have contributed to the current condition of my knees. Wished I had worn knee protectors in my younger days

 

[Duncodin]

Great work Adrian, when I see someone working on gravel it sends a shiver down my spine. Kneeling on sharp pebbles/stones have contributed to the current condition of my knees. Wished I had worn knee protectors in my younger days

Yeah. But back then, when we were youner, it wasn't cool to be seen wearing the proper safety equiment. A bit like many kids nowerdays don't want to loss their street cred wearing helmets and elbow pads on the skateboard park.

Did a lot of mig/spot welding back in the day. No mask. Just closed my eyes and turned my head away before pulling the trigger. Back then I offen had suntan down one side of my face and now I've got a strange looking mole on the side of my head.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Wow, fantastic job you're doing there Adrian.

 

[t-tony]

Yeah. But back then, when we were youner, it wasn't cool to be seen wearing the proper safety equiment. A bit like many kids nowerdays don't want to loss their street cred wearing helmets and elbow pads on the skateboard park.

Did a lot of mig/spot welding back in the day. No mask. Just closed my eyes and turned my head away before pulling the trigger. Back then I offen had suntan down one side of my face and now I've got a strange looking mole on the side of my head.

Me too, daft really but it saved time, and when self employed time literally was money.

Tony.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Althulas]

The bolts are 10.9, but was not available when I was replacing mine but also wanted to replace with hex bolts to save the next custodian the hassle of the oem ones. I also did pre buy A2 stainless untill I reviewed the specs and bought some 10.9 in yellow zinc finish.

Great progress btw.

 

[t-tony]

The thread is different anyway so you can't mix them?

Carrying on from brake pipe unions, this type is the old SAE type and is not compatible with the DIN flare:

Tony.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Synclare]

.

 

[Jack Ratt]

As the rear 15mm drop BMW Sport springs on the 1.9 had snapped their little piggy tails off (probably through over exertion due to tatered dampers) they needed changing. Now unobtainable new I resorted to my spares (the main reason for breaking one or two zeds - future proofing).

The 2.8 always had an excessively high ride height in my opinion at the rear so elected to ditch those springs and raid the spares for a 2nd set of Sport 15mm drop springs. I think the general consensus around BMW springs are they're crap. Being dual rate puts more load on the end coils. When I first had the 1.9 I had to buy a new front spring and that was around £110.

So shot blast and powder coating at a company that operates to BS to ensure proper fusion of the coating. You need to be aware a lot of companies just bake until the coating 'melts' and do not bake long enough in order to cut costs. Result? Poor fusion and flaking.
View attachment 232017
The part number shown on the coil above.
4 springs done, two for the originally equipped 1.9 Sport and two to replace the stock springs on the 2.8. As the front springs on the 2.8 had sagged with age they are about the correct height to match the rear. My opinion is the rear sport springs would out perform the front so I don't see the issue - others probably disagree.

Anyway, back on the topic of suspension bushes which probably led to the high ride height of the rear.
Never, never, never tighten wishbone trailing arms with the arms hanging down. When the car is lowered the trailing arms pivot upwards as you would expect. This excessively twists the rubber bush until it tears away from the central metal sleeve, I think this is what the fate was of the relatively new ones I removed from the 2.8:
View attachment 232019
I cut the rubber away in this photo just to examine the inner metal sleeve the bolt goes through.
A chat with the MoT guy let me use their 4 poster ramp to tighten suspension up, including the dampers, with the vehicle weight sitting on the suspension prior to MoT. As I had an empty tank I put a 56lb weight in the boot to bring the wheel to arch gap to the usual 2 fingers (side by side!) gap that is normal on sport springs.
It is also important to fit the rear ARB drop links at the correct angle or they can fight the springs and up the ride height a little. Spring pads also play a part and the ride height will settle a little with use anyway.
A few sundries:
View attachment 232020New ARB rubbers always help (above)
View attachment 232021
New Lemforder/BMW ARB links from Febi with BMW logo ground off (above).
View attachment 232022
The amazingly cheap set of handbrake springs (above) showing the part number on the box, from BMW and a tad over a tenner!
View attachment 232023
I use gasket paper between the shoe anchor post and brake back plate - I consider it good practice.
View attachment 232025
The 1.9 taking shape with new rear brake piping for chassis and trailing arms.View attachment 232028
Rear diff mount with spacer washer at rear to fill the gap as per @Pingu suggestion IIRC.View attachment 232029
The 1.9 sporting snazzy new brake piping all around the rear.
View attachment 232030
The 2.8 similar but original brake piping. Discs now correctly fitted to appropriate sides. New top plates fitted to beam mounts - vanity mostly!

Edit 21.38
One more shot of 2.8 taken same as 1.9
View attachment 232037

You'll need to put your shades on when you go under this one Adrian

 

[TaffDaddy]

That's a superb job. Will be a shame to get them dirty

 

[Pingu]

The best I've seen - museum quality

 

[Stevo7682]

A lot of work there Adrian you have done a first class job on both the zeds and made a fiji that was already a very nice zed into a pristine one

Stephen.