Did you edit those from your soft top install vids?? JIM
Opinions? Help needed
- Thread starter SteveZ3
- Start date
I couldn't possibly use my normal language on the vids because this would restrict the viewing audience to NSFW.
Hi Steve if you would like some help let me know and I will be able to help next weekend. We are away until Wednesday so will check in after thenThanks for the heads up. I'm not really looking forward to changing it if i'm honest!
Brian
Me also Frankie, the only ones to complain would be the fishes in the lake next door. Luckily, for me, the old lad who lives the other side is as deaf as a post.
Tony.
Well the guy from facebook didn't follow through with getting me the trailing arm. Not to worry, i've phoned another guy from Essex today and he's got a trailing arm complete with drive shaft still inserted.
I got it for £100 and £30 postage. Pretty pleased tbh.
It's being sent out on Thursday, so I'll post some pictures up when it arrives.
Thinking about getting it fitted at a local garage, just because I don't really have ramps to properly get under the car.
Car is handling really quite badly at the moment so I'm looking forward to it's arrival!
I got it for £100 and £30 postage. Pretty pleased tbh.
It's being sent out on Thursday, so I'll post some pictures up when it arrives.
Thinking about getting it fitted at a local garage, just because I don't really have ramps to properly get under the car.
Car is handling really quite badly at the moment so I'm looking forward to it's arrival!
Don't forget Steve the offer is still there and I have stands and ramps. With the drive shaft in place the Hardest part of the jobs is saved. I did also think that if the arm is bent quite possibly the drive shaft could be damaged as well.
Don't know if you have them in the UK but over here there are DIY garages that rent you the lift and the tools?
There are some about but few and far between. Will have a check though.
Thanks Brian. I'm definitely still considering your kind offer. I will see how much my local garage quote me for the work and if it's ridiculous money I'll be giving you a bell.
Nice one Steve, hope all goes well.
Tony.
Tony.
Now there's a useful contact for you. Hope all goes well.
Fitted the new trailing arm yesterday with the help of a good friend. It took all in all about 6 hours (with a few breaks etc).
The car feels a lot better now but I still need to get the alignment checked properly. There is still a slight pull to the right on acceleration. I don't know if the different tyres on the back are contributing, or even worn bushings?
Some pictures from yesterday?
Car on jack stands in my mates unit - wouldn't have been able to do this at home. Some large breaking bars were needed for the differential Torx bolts!
Strut and caliper removed. Cable tied the caliper to something, no need to remove and plug pipe.
Releasing the drive shaft from the diff
After the removal of some more bits the last two bolts were ready to be removed. Access is restricted but not too bad!
Old trailing arm and hub.
New trailing arm - It's only the steel guard thats bent!
Quick photo of everything out
Side by side pic - New arm on the right.
New trailing arm attached.
We even had time to a bit of work on my mates e36 318i !
Engine and gearbox oil change.
There is quite a lot of the work missing from the pictures but as you can imagine, its sometimes hard to stop work and take photos - you just want to get on with it!
The car feels a lot better now but I still need to get the alignment checked properly. There is still a slight pull to the right on acceleration. I don't know if the different tyres on the back are contributing, or even worn bushings?
Some pictures from yesterday?
Car on jack stands in my mates unit - wouldn't have been able to do this at home. Some large breaking bars were needed for the differential Torx bolts!
Strut and caliper removed. Cable tied the caliper to something, no need to remove and plug pipe.
Releasing the drive shaft from the diff
After the removal of some more bits the last two bolts were ready to be removed. Access is restricted but not too bad!
Old trailing arm and hub.
New trailing arm - It's only the steel guard thats bent!
Quick photo of everything out
Side by side pic - New arm on the right.
New trailing arm attached.
We even had time to a bit of work on my mates e36 318i !
Engine and gearbox oil change.
There is quite a lot of the work missing from the pictures but as you can imagine, its sometimes hard to stop work and take photos - you just want to get on with it!
Attachments
Good news Steve, glad you got it changed ok. Nice to have a mate like that one eh? Should be good when you get the front end re aligned to the new rear arm. May be you might have a tyre issue? But if so easily sorted.
Tony.
Tony.
Had a proper look at the front of the car today to try and diagnose why the steering just seems to wander all the time.
The rack is definitely loose. How do I tighten it up? It seems as if there is play in both wheels when I put pressure on the fronts, the rack moves.
The rack is definitely loose. How do I tighten it up? It seems as if there is play in both wheels when I put pressure on the fronts, the rack moves.
First time I have heard of this, but it is bolted onto the front subframe in two places.
Are you sure it is the rack and not the front control arms as the rear bush on these usually wears and allows the front wheel to move front to back?
Are you sure it is the rack and not the front control arms as the rear bush on these usually wears and allows the front wheel to move front to back?
Ok i've found a video which illustrates whats happening perfectly. This isn't my car but it is the exact same symptom. I'm fearing new rack?
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeF6zlxIPio
The other possibility Steve is that the joints on the end of the steering rack (inside the gaiters) may be worn. A very common things these days but I have to say not so much on older cars but we do change quite a few on BMW's and Mercs at work. As Brian said first culprit are the lower arm rear mounting bushes, these are oil filled and can lose the oil fill and become loose.
Tony.
Tony.
The link doesn't work Steve.
Got it now, that's definitely wear in the rack and pinion in my view. There may be an adjustment on the pinion, but you have to consider the all the wear on a steering rack occurs in the centre and it lessens as you move to the outer reaches of the rack so if you try to adjust it be careful not to over tighten or it will "stick" in the full lock positions even though it's "free" in the centre. I hope that makes sense?
Tony.
Tony.