Front shock replacement

[Gremlin]

Hi
I am new on the site, I know the subject has probably been talked about on the forum but what I wanted to ask is when replacing front struts on my Z3 should I replace the rubber pad that the spring sits on and if so where can I buy them from? I've searched on eBay and ask all my local motor parts people and can't seem to get them. Is it a main dealer part only?. I've all other parts covered bump stop's and dust boots. Any help would be greatfully appreciated.
Cheers Roger

 

[Jack Daw]

Hi Roger (Gremlin)

I can not help with the question but I'm local to you and keen to follow your progress. Welcome,someone will be along soon to help.

Jack

 

[Gremlin]

Thank you I've only just got the car at a good price with the intention of it being a project but useable while doing it. I've already replaced all disc and pads. And now have moved onto suspension going to do all 4 corners. But these rubber pads the springs sit in are proving difficult.

 

[GazHyde]

I think you are looking for part #9 on this diagram? You don't have to replace them, but I ran a 1997 1.9 through RealOEM.com and that gives 31331128523 as the part number.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Front...007467?hash=item280a178d2b:g:nxwAAOSwwbdWHYZd

 

[Gremlin]

Thank you for that I just did not want to start a job with out all the correct parts and wasn't sure if it was going to need replacing. My car seems to be a bit of a mess underneath for some reason. But I am enjoying restoring it. Many thanks
Roger.

 

[Gremlin]

Hi again Gaz
I've taken both front struts off now in a really bad state oil running down both one has no bump stop or protection cover and the other side the bump stop has started to break up. All so the rubber pad the Spring sits on has pushed out to side so the spring is sat on the metal shock plate. So have used the information you supplied to order all new bits. Any idea where I can get new back plates for brakes mine are none existent an I thought while I had it all apart I'd do them. Best I could find on eBay had to come from Poland. Thanks again. Roger

 

[GazHyde]

Hi Roger, No cheap alternatives for these if I recall. You could try getting a price by phoning Soper BMW Parts dept. in Lincoln. They offer a forum discount if you mention our name, and tend to be cheaper than most dealers.

 

[Gremlin]

Hi yes I was just reading there post on here I will give him a call tomorrow. I think I've got my work cut out with this car. But then it wouldn't be fun if it was easy. Thanks again

 

[5harp3y]

These aren't that expensive from bmw.

 

[Gremlin]

Ok thank you I was going to give them a call tomorrow as well as the guys in Lincolnshire.

 

[Gremlin]

This is the state of what I took off today no wonder it was all over the road.

 

[windym]

Well worth replacing the anti-roll bar bushes and the front drop links, if your ball joints are in good condition then just replace the wishbone bushes. This will seriously help the cars handling, plenty of info about and welcome to the forum for spare parts try @spurs fan in a coupe or @Synclare they both break Z,s and have a lot of parts.

Andy

 

[Nodzed]

Hi - I had the same issue, if the rubber is already disfigured then it probably wont sit correctly once put back together (as mine didn't) worth replacing while its apart IMO

 

[Gremlin]

Well I've now finished it was a long job that seemed to keep going on one thing lead to another. I replaced shock absorbers bump stops and protection covers plus top bushes, replaced lower wishbones hub's and bearings and brake back plates. Ended up having a bent rim straightened and a crack in it welded by platinum alloys Swindon in all job cost just over £600 God knows what it would have cost labour if I'd not done it myself. Anti roll bar bushes look OK as did the one's on rear of wishbone's, but will replace when I've saved a few quid for the neoprene one's. Moving on to back end next.

 

[Gremlin]

From this mess to this not brilliant but a lot better still a lot to sort on this Z3

 

[Nodzed]

From this mess to this not brilliant but a lot better still a lot to sort on this Z3 View attachment 41976 View attachment 41967

Hmmmm nothing like new shiny bits