Rear Suspension Overhaul (Part Duece)

[m3f_Potenza_24b89663df]

At 160k, rear wheel bearings while apart wouldn't even be a question for me....



Hmmmm, looks like it can be a PITA job without some special toolage. I think I'll call Reggie (http://reggiesmotorworks.com/) and see what he'll charge to do it.

[m3f_shaeff_c13ce647d2]

At 160k, rear wheel bearings while apart wouldn't even be a question for me....



Yep, I did mine while I had my rear subframe apart. My car only had 100ish k miles on it at the time.

[m3f_PurduinaM3_5769f9ad51]

Hmmmm, looks like it can be a PITA job without some special toolage. I think I'll call Reggie (http://reggiesmotorworks.com/) and see what he'll charge to do it.



Once you have the RTA's apart, it's not too bad for a shop to do them with the right tools; shouldn't be terribly expensive as long as they've done it before and know the ins and outs.



Made some progress today; pulled the rear calipers and lines, disassembled the calipers completely, and painted them silver to match the front Stoptech kit. They were absolutely gross before, and look so much brighter/nicer now. I've got brand new bushings, guides, bleed nipples, pistons, seals, stainless steel lines, intermediate hardlines and all associated hardware so I'll rebuild them one night this week after the calipers have fully dried.



The machine shop and powdercoating shop have both been extremely slow with turn around time, but I will supposedly be getting everything back and ready to go by the end of this week, so next weekend should bring some major progress to this thread as I'm hoping to have it all completely finished by Sunday so I can pull the front end apart...



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_001.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_002.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_003.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_004.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_005.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_006.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_007.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_008.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_11.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_13.jpg



http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/IMG_16.jpg

[m3f_OneFastSicilian]

sickkkk!!

[m3f_shaeff_c13ce647d2]

Nice. I've been thinking about disassembling my calipers for rebuilds, and getting them powder coated black, with the ///M in dark gray for a subtle touch.


I assume you used high temp paint?

[m3f_PurduinaM3_5769f9ad51]

Yeah, I used high temp caliper paint. I would have powder coated them but I've already got quite the bill with the shop and the high temp powder that they use for calipers is almost twice the price, and would have cost $150 / side.... Just wasn't worth it to me, as I'd just buy new loaded calipers for that price, so I figured I'd give a shot at painting them... I think they came out great and I'm happy with the results.


I'm toying around with the idea of filling in the ///M logo with either colored touchup paint or black paint... :hmm:

[m3f_cracky_88af6b7d5a]

black...


did you get the stuff back from the powder coat yet? rainbow pics not loading!!!

[m3f_PurduinaM3_5769f9ad51]

black...



did you get the stuff back from the powder coat yet? rainbow pics not loading!!!



Correctly colored would look great but is just a bit harder to do. And





The machine shop and powdercoating shop have both been extremely slow with turn around time, but I will supposedly be getting everything back and ready to go by the end of this week...

[m3f_m3_858_123dcfc955]

Good job on the overhaul Bobby! I haven't posted in a while, feels good to come back and view some quality threads. :thumbsup2:

[m3f_PurduinaM3_5769f9ad51]

Thanks man! So some more progress made tonight...


Turns out that the E36 had two different brake line setups in the rear - some E36's came with a single soft line per side in the rear, and others came with two soft lines per side (4 total in the rear), separated by a S shaped hard line in the middle. My car has the latter of the two, and I just happened to strip one of the hard lines when removing it. No big deal; I'm replacing everything in the rear with new parts, so why not the two new hard lines, right?


Turns out that BMW only sells those hard lines straight however, and you have to bend them into the complicated S shaped lines that are on the car yourself after buying them. Went over to Ant's tonight since he had the proper tool and went to work... here's some pictures:


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines1.jpg


On the bottom of the picture you can see the stock hardline, and then right above it is how they come from the dealership. Above that you will find the completed new hard line connected with new hardware to the stainless steel lines, and then the broken one above that. Here's a close up of the stock vs how they come:


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines2.jpg


Our "new" line bent into shape


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines3.jpg


Old broken line


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines4.jpg


Here are the tools we used for the job:


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines5.jpg


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines6.jpg


And one more shot...


http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu76/bdbello/rear%20suspension/brakelines7.jpg


Big thanks to Ant for helping :thumbsup2:

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

Wow dude, crazy. For once, OEM fitment FTL. :shifty:


Coming along slowly dude. I hope i'm around for when the beast is woken from its winter-long slumber again. I'm sure it won't be like the open header wake up last season, but it'll be nice to see it come alive again.

[m3f_Potenza_24b89663df]

My 99 has the S style rear lines as well.



Man, you've got a friend/helper for everything, haha. Wish I had that kind of support around here. :thumbsup2:

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

how much was the brake pipe from the dealer?......interesting it doesn't come already bent.........at least you didn't have to use a flaring tool....pipe bending isnt too fun either as your hands are showing

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

preset lengths from the dealer are CHEAP. I had to run all new lines for the last 3 channel ABS setup.


Everything was done with my bear hands. Zero issues, and no crazy redness :shifty:


:laughhard:


Looks good man, good luck with everything, and glad its coming along

[m3f_Jvanmater_0ce9a41d55]

good stuff guys!