Front droplink bolts

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Piran

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This may be a stupid question, but I'm just replacing my suspension on the Z3 and I was going to replace the front droplinks - However, the bolts holding them in are corroded to the point of being more of an amorphous blob rather tham amything identifiable as a nut and bolt.

Does anyone what bolt I need to use for this?
Thanks
 
Piran said:
This may be a stupid question, but I'm just replacing my suspension on the Z3 and I was going to replace the front droplinks - However, the bolts holding them in are corroded to the point of being more of an amorphous blob rather tham amything identifiable as a nut and bolt.

Does anyone what bolt I need to use for this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
M10, but the drop link comes with the bolt itself, I think.
 
Mus Musculus said:
M10, but the drop link comes with the bolt itself, I think.
Click to expand...
I've got the droplinks but they didn't come with any bolts umfortunately - going to have to saw off the current one if I can find the difference between the bolt and the plate it goes through!
 
Piran said:
I've got the droplinks but they didn't come with any bolts umfortunately - going to have to saw off the current one if I can find the difference between the bolt and the plate it goes through!
Click to expand...
Sorry, so maybe I am talking about something else. The front drop links I know of are these, and they include both bolt and nut:

Front Anti Roll Bar Drop Link Pairs
 
Piran said:
I've got the droplinks but they didn't come with any bolts unfortunately - going to have to saw off the current one if I can find the difference between the bolt and the plate it goes through!
Click to expand...


Part no17 and 18 on this parts diag

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 3.0i Front axle support/wishbone/stabilizer
www.realoem.com

they are M8 x 45 bolts. and the bmw part number is also shown.

Just a note when you tighten these bolts up is is reccommeded that they are tightened with the weight of the car on the suspension as there is a risk of damaging the rubber bush on the new drop link.
 
Brian4 said:
Part no17 and 18 on this parts diag

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 3.0i Front axle support/wishbone/stabilizer
www.realoem.com

they are M8 x 45 bolts. and the bmw part number is also shown.

Just a note when you tighten these bolts up is is reccommeded that they are tightened with the weight of the car on the suspension as there is a risk of damaging the rubber bush on the new drop link.
Click to expand...
Thanks, tightening them with the weight of the car on them will be... Interesting
 
Piran said:
Thanks, tightening them with the weight of the car on them will be... Interesting
Click to expand...
You could drive onto some blocks to give more clearance underneath.
 
With the car sitting on its tyres and the wheels in lock you should be able to reach them with a socket on an extension.

Tony.
 
Brian4 said:
Part no17 and 18 on this parts diag

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts Z3 E36 Z3 3.0i Front axle support/wishbone/stabilizer
www.realoem.com

they are M8 x 45 bolts. and the bmw part number is also shown.

Just a note when you tighten these bolts up is is reccommeded that they are tightened with the weight of the car on the suspension as there is a risk of damaging the rubber bush on the new drop link.
Click to expand...
These are what I have ordered from Amazon... drop link x2, sway bar bush mount x 4 (same fit I think - garage says they normally cut them off rather than attempt to unfasten them as they snap easily)

 
Witchsilver said:
These are what I have ordered from Amazon... drop link x2, sway bar bush mount x 4 (same fit I think - garage says they normally cut them off rather than attempt to unfasten them as they snap easily)

Click to expand...
Brilliant thanks. The BMW ones I've found so far based on the part number are either £9 each or £17 postage
 
Witchsilver said:
These are what I have ordered from Amazon... drop link x2, sway bar bush mount x 4 (same fit I think - garage says they normally cut them off rather than attempt to unfasten them as they snap easily)

Click to expand...

Personally, I wouldn't use fully threaded bolts where the load is acting on the threaded section. The valley of every thread is a potential stress point. Go to a fastener company and buy some that are the same pattern as the OEM ones. It would be sensible to use zinc plated high tensile steel grade 8.8 rather than stainless.
 
I always get bolts and fasteners from BMW just for the piece of mind of getting the right thing, even for non-critical stuff like trim and covers. I don't ever recall thinking they were priced extortionately for what they were, to be fair :thumbsup:
 
Jack Ratt said:
Personally, I wouldn't use fully threaded bolts where the load is acting on the threaded section. The valley of every thread is a potential stress point. Go to a fastener company and buy some that are the same pattern as the OEM ones. It would be sensible to use zinc plated high tensile steel grade 8.8 rather than stainless.
Click to expand...

Following your advice I have placed an order for https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362217874580?var=631431514078
 
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