DIY: E46 M3 S54 detailed rod bearing replacement and front suspension refreshment

[Phoenix///M3]

Author: bimmerfan08
Date: 10/29/2016

I have a PDF of this but when I hit "Upload Attachments" I get an error saying error uploading image. It's 300 pages and 27MB so maybe over the limit or can we not upload docs?

Here's a shareable link to the file...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pLmaagppKMehpCgdw32cjcaZ0iCMuZDo/view?usp=sharing

[bimmerfan08]

Thanks for linking this! Glad it's still accessible.

[BMWE46M3]

Thanks for documenting this! That must have taken a crap-load of time.

[WestBankM4]

Thank you so much, I'll be doing my soon so this is EXTREMELY helpful!

[y2k_o__o]

Bookmarked and saved !
I am doing the rod bearing at the end of the season in my garage. This is gonna be a great resource along with the FCP Euro Video guide ! SALUT !

[Slideways]

There are two DIYs that suggest to put RTV around the perimeter of the oil pan gasket. It is only necessary to use RTV (Drei-bond) on the joints where the block meets the front timing cover and the rear main seal. This will create much less unnecessary mess and potential for getting loose RTV sucked into the oil pump screen.

Use two or three zip ties to hold the gasket in place on the oil pan during reinstall.

[E46McVert]

I lack the words to properly express my gratitude for providing this. The detail is stellar, such a gift. Exponentially beyond your average DIY... thank you!

-Random guy in Florida who owes you big time

[rickybobby]

Saving this for when I attempt to tackle this in the next few thousand miles

[Rokoz]

This is awesome stuff - well done

[beemer_guy]

I'm just starting the rod bearings now after doing a whole bunch of other stuff, I've noticed a lot of the online video guides tend to skip steps and magically get to another stage due to poor editing, so I'm extremely grateful to have found this now. I've already gotten around to dropping the front subframe but will be utilizing this the rest of the way, and will report back on how it goes!

[bimmerfan08]

I'm just starting the rod bearings now after doing a whole bunch of other stuff, I've noticed a lot of the online video guides tend to skip steps and magically get to another stage due to poor editing, so I'm extremely grateful to have found this now. I've already gotten around to dropping the front subframe but will be utilizing this the rest of the way, and will report back on how it goes!

Glad to hear this. It's been about a decade since I did this maintenance, so some of what I did step-wise may not be the preferred method, but overall, the DIY should get you through the procedure.

[Casa de Mesa]

I owe a lot to the folks who documented all these various DIYs.

My M3 ownership would be a lot different (aka, more expensive and frustrating) without the folks who put in the time to document DIYs like this.

[beemer_guy]

I owe a lot to the folks who documented all these various DIYs.

My M3 ownership would be a lot different (aka, more expensive and frustrating) without the folks who put in the time to document DIYs like this.

I agree, I've been following this forum for a while and only recently created an account, but without the resources here and all the guides online by other enthusiasts I don't think I would've had the courage to get this car.

This is my first BMW, and my first time working on a vehicle aside from basic oil changes etc., so it's been a learning experience, and I've been doing everything on jack stands, although I'm lucky enough to have a garage to let the car sit for an extended period of time.

These rod bearings are the last major job I'm doing after a slew of other things, so I can't wait to finish it and finally get the car put back together.

[Casa de Mesa]

Man you jumped from oil changes into headlong into the deep end, lol

[beemer_guy]

Man you jumped from oil changes into headlong into the deep end, lol

Oh brother I know, I feel it every time I work on the car, and all the items I've added onto the maintenance list due to the "while I'm in there" aspect. While I think it'll be worth it in the end, the scope creep has me exhausted with how many diagrams and parts I am keeping track of and trying to remain organized.

I think today I'll finally be able to check the status of the bearings, which were claimed to have been replaced at 75k miles (18k miles ago), but I suspect I'll find them to be original since the engine mounts looked to be from the factory and pretty worn, along with not being able to find the proper service records for them.