A nice summer project

[Silent running]

Hi all,
Always had BMWs as main car and recently alongside this, an MX5 for the summer for a bit of fun. But now they're all so rotten, it's not even worth paying three figures for one. Hence this summer's daily/project is an S reg 1.9 MOT failure that needs a bit of suspension work basically, picking it up next week. Only annoying thing is the American Haynes I've bought doesn't show the spanner rating! Jobs will include:

- replacing front wishbones/drop links (MOT failure, easy fix and cheap)
- maybe replacing o/s/r trailing arm - need to get it up in the air to have a look at how rotten it is (MOT failure)
- maybe clutch (get mechanic mate to do!)
- a few niggly electrics (easy)

While I'm under there refreshing the suspension, assuming the struts are OK (we'll see) I might well change the rear ARB. Before anyone chips in with advice, it's just something I always tend to do with rwd/awd cars. All I really need to know is, are all Z3 roadster ARBs the same width i.e. left to right, not thickness. Will they bolt in at the same place, as I want to stick a 2.2 rear ARB onto a 1.9. I'm sure someone will correct me but the 1.9's the thinnest, then you've got the 2.0-3.0 ones, then the M. Does the wide body of the later Z3s make any difference to where the ARB locates, in other words.

And where can I source a cheap trailing arm if I need one? Front control arms seem cheap as chips on eBay, but rears are almost impossible to find except from breakers.
Cheers!
Nick

 

[t-tony]

Hi Nick, welcome from me near Lincoln, yes you’re correct regarding rear trailing arm availability. We have some people on here who do break cars so you will hopefully find what you need. I saw a MOT “failure” last year on a car where the tester had knocked a flat blade screwdriver through a rusty scab, you could see the perfect shape of the screwdriver blade, this is not how they should be assessed (I’m a retired MOT tester of 42 years experience).
Anyway talk to these guys, @spurs fan in a coupe , @mrscalex , @Synclare @BillyHughesZ3UK

Tony.

 

[Silent running]

Ah great thanks. That clears it up. So it’s a repair and tidy up, or replace from a breaker. The previous owner seems to have converted the back end to wide body (panels, bumper, skirts, right? although not sure whether it’s got the wider rear axle or just spacers. If the arms too far gone might be better to replace the rear with the wide body stuff from later. Any idea about the ARB pick up points for future reference?

 

[Jjim]

Hi, welcome from Mansfield

It was my 2.2 that had the screwdriver hammered through the rear trailing arm. The arm was actually very solid and you could see where the idiot had actually hammered a flat head screwdriver through
I got the arm welded up good as new and painted it.

The ARBs are different sizes for different engine sizes. I recently replaced mine (front and rear) with H&R ones, and they come with their own bushes.

 

[Nodzed]

I am guessing the 1.9 is shorter as the track is narrower and the others are longer. You may even find the M is the same as the 1.9??

 

[Silent running]

Probably jumping the gun, just doing my homework before I set about the work! On a more valuable car I might well get the fancy stuff on there, done all the whiteline gear to a Subaru in the past but this z3 is more of a runabout to see how I like it... hence wondering about a straight swap for a bigger arb from a breakers. If it’s worth sticking with I’ll probably cut my losses and go 6 cylinder. Can’t forget my old e36 323i. Why did I sell it so cheap! That lump was so smooth!

 

[Shelly]

 

[Mint]

Hi @Silent running, to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.

 

[Mazza]

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bognor Regis

 

[Keet]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[FRANKIE]

Hi all,
Always had BMWs as main car and recently alongside this, an MX5 for the summer for a bit of fun. But now they're all so rotten, it's not even worth paying three figures for one. Hence this summer's daily/project is an S reg 1.9 MOT failure that needs a bit of suspension work basically, picking it up next week. Only annoying thing is the American Haynes I've bought doesn't show the spanner rating! Jobs will include:

- replacing front wishbones/drop links (MOT failure, easy fix and cheap)
- maybe replacing o/s/r trailing arm - need to get it up in the air to have a look at how rotten it is (MOT failure)
- maybe clutch (get mechanic mate to do!)
- a few niggly electrics (easy)

While I'm under there refreshing the suspension, assuming the struts are OK (we'll see) I might well change the rear ARB. Before anyone chips in with advice, it's just something I always tend to do with rwd/awd cars. All I really need to know is, are all Z3 roadster ARBs the same width i.e. left to right, not thickness. Will they bolt in at the same place, as I want to stick a 2.2 rear ARB onto a 1.9. I'm sure someone will correct me but the 1.9's the thinnest, then you've got the 2.0-3.0 ones, then the M. Does the wide body of the later Z3s make any difference to where the ARB locates, in other words.

And where can I source a cheap trailing arm if I need one? Front control arms seem cheap as chips on eBay, but rears are almost impossible to find except from breakers.
Cheers!
Nick

Welcome to the forum from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey..........................Frankie

 

[Althulas]

Hi and welcome from me in Oxfordshire.