Parts supplies

[Triode]

Hello,
My first post! I've just recently had the ABS warning light come up on my 2001 z3 2.2 dashboard, just before then I had the rear tyres replaced and thought, aha, might just be a case of cleaning the ABS sensors. Jacked up the car at the weekend and took off the rear sensors, all looking okay but gave them a clean anyway, (managed to get them off fine) then moved onto the front, took one of the wheels off and the whole area around the transmission is rusted, callipers, ball joints, steering knuckle - the whole lot plus I reckon the ABS ring has corroded away.

So, only being a "causal" tinker of cars I don't think I'm up for sorting this out myself and am thinking of taking to my local garage to strip down and replace. I was thinking of getting the parts myself, ready for the garage, but there does not seem to be many places to buy z3 parts from or are they all standard - in particular, the steering knuckle? I can't find that anywhere, the other option is to ask the chap at the garage to strip it down and I'd take it back and clean up / paint if it's salvageable.

Also, as things get replaced, it would be good to know what is the best parts to get, my z3 does seem to like to follow lines in the road, the steering does not inspire confidence, once the tyres have warmed up it's a lot better but not perfect. The control arms are in very good condition and I've heard that changing the bushes on these can help although I heard about that when I first got the car 10 years ago. I tend to use her in the summer and put her to bed in the winter.

Any advice very much appreciated, since I've had her this is the first major work that I'll be having to do and I think there will be more coming as she gets older, I love driving her and I love that straight 6 engine, my Dad had a Triumph GT6 and she kinda reminds me of those days

 

[t-tony]

What's known as "Tramlining" and main cause is very tired front suspension joints and rubber components. Car is likely running original suspension from new regardless of how they look.
Aftermarket parts are plentiful. Good brands are Meyle amongst others. Front shock absorbers, if they've never been changed will be shot for sure. Where are you located? How old are the tyres?

Tony.

 

[Triode]

Hi Tony,
Tyres are about 5 years old but loads of tread, when new the tramlining - (thanks for the proper explanation) was the same.
I'm about 25 miles west of Shrewsbury, Montgomery Mid Wales

 

[t-tony]

I think that a visit to the Zedshed Cymru is in order. @colb will point you in the right direction. If you were nearer to me (Lincoln) I would've offered to do the same at ZedShed (Midlands).

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

Hi if you look on the Zedshed project you can get an idea on what’s involved in doing a front end refurb it’s not as daunting as it appears but getting all the bits a good move. Easiest bush replacements are to go poly but cost more than standard rubber. The knuckles should be serviceable after a good clean up and repainting or powder coating. Mele hd tie rods seem good quality and leamfounder wishbones are oem. Some people fit ///M standard bushes as they are more solid without voids to tighten the feel up. Best to shop about from your dealer, eBay, eurocar parts for prices. Realoem will give you all the part numbers you need.

 

[Triode]

Thanks for all the responses, just been reading the 'Rosie' thread, very inspiring, am thinking about getting some axel stands and having a go. Will use the weekend to (obviously watch the coronation) look at parts and make room in the garage to see if I can tackle this. If I do I'll create a post on the progress with pictures. If there's any special tools I need for any of this work please shout out, I have basic Halfords socket sets & spanners, toque wrench and guess I can prise apart the ball joints, do I need anything special for the suspension or will that fit in easily once everything is disconnected and ready to put back together - I've got the workshop manual as well - was a birthday present, very clean and never used

 

[colb]

Welcome from South Wales, down here we do have a Zedshed Cymru Group running on Whats App to keep in touch off the Forum. We do meet up to do jobs on our cars, usually at my home garage as I have a Car Lift which makes things easier, member supplies parts and job gets done up to the individual if they make a donation that gets used to replenish consumables.
Probably not viable to do the front jobs on yours due to distance and time to do the work as my Z gets garaged over the lift. Always up for you to make a visit so you can have a good look at the underside and see what needs replacing so you know what to order.
PM me with your phone number and I will add you in to the Zedshed Cymru Whats App Group if you fancy joining in.
Just seen your latest post, seems you are heading in the right direction and having a go yourself, advice always available on here, looking forward to seeing your progress and pictures.

 

[Althulas]

Some rod and pipe housing for pressing out bushes on the control arms and maybe a vice to squeeze new bushes in unless you already a have a set for this job.

worth getting a set of Irvine bolt grip removers in case you have a knackered nut, available on eBay, Amazon and I’m sure Halfords sell a set but most likely cheaper on Amazon. You should be ok with hand tools but I do love my impact gun.

Look forward to your progress over the weekend.

 

[Triode]

Some rod and pipe housing for pressing out bushes on the control arms and maybe a vice to squeeze new bushes in unless you already a have a set for this job.

worth getting a set of Irvine bolt grip removers in case you have a knackered nut, available on eBay, Amazon and I’m sure Halfords sell a set but most likely cheaper on Amazon. You should be ok with hand tools but I do love my impact gun.

Look forward to your progress over the weekend.

Brill - thank you

 

[Triode]

Righto - working on one side at the mo. Just looking at shocks on autodoc.co.uk, there are so many but none for the front by Meyle, would anyone recommend anything in particular, they range from £30 to £200 each, the Ashika seem to have 5 stars on the site but I've no idea really, do I need to consider the shocks brand to fit in with the springs or are all springs created equal? Thanks

 

[Althulas]

Do you have the sports springs? Sachs dampers are oem fitment but also some members have used Monroe shocks as another oem replacement and offer something that is a like for like swap at reasonable cost. I certainly would not fit some cheap brand I’ve never heard of but up to you if you want to take the risk of trashy ride but depends on what you want to spend. https://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/steering-suspension/shocks-components/shock-absorber

Bilstien, Koni make good replacements oem replacements but also offer some sportier upgrades if you want to add some slightly lower springs from H&R for example. https://www.bilsteinsuspensionstore...year=2001&model=Z3&car_id=2.2+E36/7|2000|2003

If your really feeling flash and want the adjustability of coil overs KW or BC racing are the two manufacturers of choice.

 

[Triode]

Hello Althulas,
I've been looking at this forum site to see what others have done, sorry, should have done that before posting the question and many thanks for your reply. Also trying to cram in as much reading as possible before people come round for a coronation lunch I've seen some members here using these: https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/sachs-shock-absorber-635110200 I've also realised that my posting is on the z3 M category, mine is a standard z3 2.2i hope that's not mislead anyone! Just trying to work out now if it's just the shock I need to order or extras as well (bolts, fittings etc). Happy to spend some cash on the car to get her right and not looking to cut corners - so quality components are the name of the game - plus I'm learning all of this as I go along as well, pity some Youtube guides on this are USA as they use different names for some things

 

[Althulas]

Never a bad idea to buy new nut, bolts and washers, those shocks will do you fine, it worth changing your top mounts as the rubber will have most likely be knackered by now and are not too expensive for the Z3

 

[Triode]

Right, I have been busy but not been managing to find the time to pay as much attention to her as I'd like. I've dismantled the off-side front suspension - yay! Need to order the parts now, get this side done then go round the rest. Unfortunately I only have room to work on one section at a time, so will have to put back together, turn the car round then work on the rest but it's manageable.

I'm going to clean the knuckle and all metal parts as she's pretty corroded but it looks to be surface mostly, anyone recommend a paint to use for the metal parts, anything that will protect and last a while? Thanks.

 

[t-tony]

A product called Vactan is very good on rusty steel. Available on eBay.

Tony.

 

[Triode]

A product called Vactan is very good on rusty steel. Available on eBay.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, just been watching YouTube videos on it - looks just the job, will get some - thanks

 

[Triode]

Any recommendations on shocks? CarParts4less offer Sachs here: https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/shock-absorber but I don't know why the left and right shocks differ in price so much? Then Autodoc only have a limited range and Monroe look to be the best on that site but I can't see any reviews if they are any good for the z3, I've seen comments on here that the German Blitzin are a rough ride. The Monroe shocks are M-Technik - does that mean anything do you think? Thanks

 

[t-tony]

A good few people have fitted Monroe shocks and are happy with them. Most, if fitting original style use Sachs which are OEM .
Strange how the different sides are more/less expensive but often are on many vehicles to varying degrees.

Tony.

 

[Triode]

Finally getting the front done although I've only managed the off side suspension. Just installed the Monroe struts, fitted a new wheel bearing and have just now tried the ABS sensor, odd though that when rotating the bearing it seems to be rubbing on the sensor. I went for Bosch ABS sensors and they both look the same, I wonder if there is a left and right - should the sensor rub on the bearing ring notches or have I ordered the wrong sensor? I've not fully tightened up the bearing yet just hand tight via a long wrench, maybe when it's fully tightened it may make a difference?

 

[t-tony]

Yes you need to fully tighten the hub bearings before fitting the ABS sensor. IF it still rubs you can "space" it out by fitting a slim washer between the sensor and the hub.

Tony.