New Z shed world record

[windym]

Another trip to the Zshed this weekend to sort out a rather sloppy rear end (enter pun here). The rear bushes on my Z, being the originals at 16 years old were well past their best. These had been on the list to do so very happy they were being done. The guys had done a few rear beam and bush replacements before, this time the plan was to do the whole thing in a day.

Must say an absolute pleasure meeting @Rha who came down for a visit, and stayed until his freedom pass had expired. Both @Rha and myself were quite early, for once the M25 was behaving which makes a rather pleasant change.

First order of the day, slutty breakfast, after trying 3 different burger vans (all being closed) went back to the default cafe and found it open. Thanks to @Lee,s Dad, Trevor for the breakfast, where we stood around looking at the Z,s parked up and admiring @GazHyde new wheels.

I digress, so back to the shed and one member down @pgunter had other, rather urgent business to attend to. A 10:30 start saw my car being reversed into the garage and up on stands, then came the job of stripping the rear subframe out. My sills at this point decided turn to dust on the ends so these will need to be replaced next spring.

So just about 2 hours in, we had everything disconnected and the rear out sitting on a jack at the back of the car.

The handbrake cables were goosed, so a trip to GSF for some new ones and back for a tea break. Next was to lift the rear onto the bench and start stripping it down. @Rha has more pics stripping it down so hopefully will add them later.

Next stage was separating the rear beam and removing the old bushes followed by new bushes, hand brake cables and re-mounting the rear beam. After this we dropped the rear end onto the jack and re-assembled the whole thing for a 17:30 finish. I was knackered, running on Mars bars and biscuits for most of the day, so in all about 5 hours work with picking up parts and tea breaks making up the rest.

After cleaning up the work space took the car for a drive, a huge improvement I could feel the difference straight away and the drive home was fun and somewhat faster than normal.

went for a quick spin this morning the car is very tight now but not uncomfortable, in fact with the back end not moving around I would say ride comfort has improved as well as stability.

So another big thanks to the guys @Lee @GazHyde @Rha @pgunter and most importantly @Shortie_gal and Trevor for the breakfast.

Cheers guys

Andy

 

[BMBabe]

Nice works chaps
Must handle really well now
@windym Trevs forum name is @Oldguysrule

 

[andyglym]

Another great job Zed shed team

 

[Shortie_gal]

I got one of @Rha getting stuck in with the refitting of the arch liners....

 

[DavidM]

GreaI work!!

 

[windym]

Nice works chaps
Must handle really well now
@windym Trevs forum name is @Oldguysrule

I thought it was @gentlemenpreferbeige

Andy

 

[GazHyde]

Nicely done chaps, sorry I had to split early but you seemed to manage ok without me

 

[Shortie_gal]

Gutted i missed seeing your new wheels @GazHyde

 

[Rha]

I got one of @Rha getting stuck in with the refitting of the arch liners.... View attachment 43373

.

How dare you @Shortie_gal, better check the lens on that camera of yours, make sure it survived.
Now here's what you missed at breakfast not including the Southern Z Shed's famous baguette.

And of course the other two.

Rha, Roy.

 

[Rha]

Nicely done chaps, sorry I had to split early but you seemed to manage ok without me

Don't worry Gaz, I more than made up for your departure, talked the ears off em, and even heard em whistper that they would rather have you there than three of me, and what a lightweight I was at breakfast not eating all of my baguette. Oh well at least I made them laugh, with me or maybe at. Shame cos you never can tell with these Z people..

Rha, Roy.

 

[Rha]

Sorry to disappoint @windym Andy but it seems I can't upload most of the pics I took for some reason or other, tried for two hrs last night and had to give up, having another look see what I can retreave, put something up later if it works. Like your write up.
Roy.

 

[Low Rider]

Excellent work guys.
I remember the Comradery as we dropped the rear end out of my Zed

 

[Uncle_Clanger]

Brilliant... Nice new purple poly bits! It's on my list. Good work chaps

 

[Grumps]

I got one of @Rha getting stuck in with the refitting of the arch liners.... View attachment 43373

Is he OK getting back up on his own!

 

[Grumps]

Excellent work guys. These zed sheds really are the bees knees! What's the average age of the staff at Zed shed Southern lol!!

 

[windym]

Excellent work guys. These zed sheds really are the bees knees! What's the average age of the staff at Zed shed Southern lol!!

If you take @pgunter out of the equation the number really drops

Andy

 

[Shortie_gal]

Is he OK getting back up on his own!

Well he did have to jump for the blue roll to wipe his hands!

 

[Rha]

So glad when @Lee invited me to Basingstoke to watch Andy's beam bush replacement and of course to taste the famous SZS huge Baguette. ( not to mention a drive of the lovely blue coupe)
I'm still amazed how this job can be done in such a small garage and with the ease that's been accomplished over time and obviosly through dedication. To watch them get the car up and get stuck in and get the sub frame out and on the trolley jack ready to lift onto the bench in just under 2hrs, is something you have to see to believe.
It's now transpired that they may have done something in the regeon of forty Zs and I would hazard a guess that the mechs in the garage industry would have no where near the experience these guys have accumulated. When you think how old this model is it's a good bet many have been scrapped before anyone's noticed the beam bushes have all but failed.

Here's just a couple of what I've been adle to salvage pic wise out of at least 15 pics of the under 8hrs beam bush repair.
Pic of Beam removed from the rear subframe leaving the H/B cables to be done after the bushes are out and new ones fitted.

After trying so many ways of DIY bush removal Lee and Gaz had to resort to getting a local engineering firm to remove bushes but learned that they couldn't get them out with a 12ton press and had to burn them out. With the over secretive BMW not disclosing any info that might help Z shed bought there own press and found by heating the bush carrier made all the differance, so now the secrets out, no thanks to BMW. Well done Lee and Gaz cos now they've saved money and a load of precious time. Seen it with my own eyes, they had them out in no time at all.

Here's a pic of the gloved up Trevor waiting for an eventual heated moment, his son Lee being carefull not to trigger It.......
You can see the red press in the corner purchased by them through donations from the owners having work done at the shed. Goes without saying how lucky we all are to have so many who'll give up their free time just to save us some cash and untold grief trying to do these jobs ourselves, not forgetting @t-tony of the Midlands Shed.

L
Here's what a lot of us are dreading, the worn out hard to get to beam bush x2 that could IMO add to rear steer and the dreaded tram lining not to mention tyre wear.
Look hard and you'll see the crack R/H side of pin that's allowing the pin to move without any resistance, plus with rubber deteriation over 16yrs it's not helping the cars wheel alignment at all. Easy to see why the poly bush is so popular.

No more pics from me I'm afraid that's all I could salvage.
Just like to say thanks to Lee, Shortie,Gaz for showing us his new wheels and joining us for breakfast, @Oldguysrule Trevor for paying for the breakfast and great conversation. Made my day even though I couldn't finish famous baguette it was great to see you again, to meet Andy for the first time, enjoyed every minute but not enough time in the coupe @Lee....
Rha, Roy.

 

[andyglym]

So glad when @Lee invited me to Basingstoke to watch Andy's beam bush replacement and of course to taste the famous SZS huge Baguette. ( not to mention a drive of the lovely blue coupe)
I'm still amazed how this job can be done in such a small garage and with the ease that's been accomplished over time and obviosly through dedication. To watch them get the car up and get stuck in and get the sub frame out and on the trolley jack ready to lift onto the bench in just under 2hrs, is something you have to see to believe.
It's now transpired that they may have done something in the regeon of forty Zs and I would hazard a guess that the mechs in the garage industry would have no where near the experience these guys have accumulated. When you think how old this model is it's a good bet many have been scrapped before anyone's noticed the beam bushes have all but failed.

Here's just a couple of what I've been adle to salvage pic wise out of at least 15 pics of the under 8hrs beam bush repair.
Pic of Beam removed from the rear subframe leaving the H/B cables to be done after the bushes are out and new ones fitted.

View attachment 43391
After trying so many ways of DIY bush removal Lee and Gaz had to resort to getting a local engineering firm to remove bushes but learned that they couldn't get them out with a 12ton press and had to burn them out. With the over secretive BMW not disclosing any info that might help Z shed bought there own press and found by heating the bush carrier made all the differance, so now the secrets out, no thanks to BMW. Well done Lee and Gaz cos now they've saved money and a load of precious time. Seen it with my own eyes, they had them out in no time at all.

Here's a pic of the gloved up Trevor waiting for an eventual heated moment, his son Lee being carefull not to trigger It.......
You can see the red press in the corner purchased by them through donations from the owners having work done at the shed. Goes without saying how lucky we all are to have so many who'll give up their free time just to save us some cash and untold grief trying to do these jobs ourselves, not forgetting @t-tony of the Midlands Shed.

View attachment 43392 L
Here's what a lot of us are dreading, the worn out hard to get to beam bush x2 that could IMO add to rear steer and the dreaded tram lining not to mention tyre wear.
Look hard and you'll see the crack R/H side of pin that's allowing the pin to move without any resistance, plus with rubber deteriation over 16yrs it's not helping the cars wheel alignment at all. Easy to see why the poly bush is so popular.
View attachment 43415
No more pics from me I'm afraid that's all I could salvage.
Just like to say thanks to Lee, Shortie,Gaz for showing us his new wheels and joining us for breakfast, @Oldguysrule Trevor for paying for the breakfast and great conversation. Made my day even though I couldn't finish famous baguette it was great to see you again, to meet Andy for the first time, enjoyed every minute but not enough time in the coupe @Lee....
Rha, Roy.

Top write-Up Roy

 

[Grumps]

Super write up Roy. They are cracking guys at both zed sheds, giving up there personal time to help other members not so handy with the spanners.
@Lee how you fixed for a quick vanos seal change?? 20 minutes do it!