#ZedShed Project Dino D

GazHyde

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A-ha, I knew I'd seen those wheels somewhere before. Pangster gave the site permission to publish a few of his write ups in our article system. Jolly nice chap he was about it too!
 

Dino D

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Yes good guy, first time I bought a car unseen or 'un'driven!
As far as I know it's still the only z with staggered Beyern Multis.
When funds allow I have plans for a nice new finish for them, lips and centers.
 
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zedonist

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Rust and springs is not a good combination, they can suffer from hydrogen embrittlement due to the salt and high hardness which can lead to fatigue failure and premature snapping as they over work harden, clean them up and cover them up, powder coating, plastidip etc.
 

t-tony

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I bow to your far superior knowledge re spring corrosion Rich, but in my opinion one thing the manufacturers could do is grind off the sharp square end to a gradual taper as it is almost always the point where a spring eventually breaks where it sits down on it's own last coil. We fit loads of these nowadays.

Tony.
 
Z

zedonist

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Tony the issue is that OEM springs are made from cold rolled wire and not heat treated, the cropping of the wire just adds to the work hardening. The best manufactures of after market parts still heat treat the parts wich creates a nice homogenous structure
 

Dino D

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So getting back to diff bushes, having never seen what new one looks like I decided to google and see and came accross this Z3M version:


Quite a difference from what mine was looking like...
Very keen to feel what it will be like once refreshed!
 

GazHyde

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Your new one will probably look like this though if @Lee has gone the same route as the other Zeds... Powerflex is a different design, but they are easier to fit as they don't need pressing in place.

image.jpg


image.jpg
 

Dino D

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Yep going with Powerflex purple too.
Will match nicely all the other purple under there already...

I've read the debate on poly vs standard vs Z3M for this bush and decided to go for poly.
 
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Lee

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Rebuilding of the rear will start tonight. If all goes smoothly it should be ready to go back in tonight.
 

Dino D

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Sound good!

Just a question @Lee:
Why does the Poweflex bush have a round hole in it and the OEM version a more oval looking hole?
 

oldcarman

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Sound good!

Just a question @Lee:
Why does the Poweflex bush have a round hole in it and the OEM version a more oval looking hole?
I think it's for adding a little vibration to the seat area for your pleasure!! BMW thinks of everything to please their drivers and passengers
Don't forget to take my 40-40 challenge. Be the first to select your date on when I lose control and post off topic. Less than 11 1/2 hrs to midnight so hurry before someone else jumps on your choice. Jim
 

GazHyde

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Much progress tonight, but not so many pictures. Nice early finish tonight with just 3.5 hours on the clock :)

The swing arm bushes have been pressed out and replaced, the handbrake cables changed, the differential powerflex bush fitted and the subframe dropped to the floor and loose fitted back on the car.

Parts galore!
2015-02-17 17.44.52.jpg


Diff bush fully removed
2015-02-17 18.24.21.jpg


Half a powerflex bush fitted
2015-02-17 18.24.45.jpg


Other half fitted
2015-02-17 18.27.27.jpg


Pressing in the new swing arm bushes
2015-02-17 19.18.00.jpg


2015-02-17 19.03.37.jpg


A lot left to connect up again, but it's back in place and held in by the diff mount and the beam bolts.
2015-02-17 21.16.07.jpg


Weight saving!
2015-02-17 21.15.33.jpg
 

Lee

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Right guys, The rear is all back together and looking very purple. Looks really smart with the EBC yellow stuff pads and brembo discs.

Got an ABS light on so that will need addressing.

Waiting on the front discs and pads to arrive. Also the aircon tensioner needs replacing. Shes nearly there.

Lee

IMG_1692.JPG
IMG_1693.JPG
 

GazHyde

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Looks like you got lots done tonight :thumbsup:

I completely forgot to take a picture of the PowerFlex beam bushes, so good to see they are included in your snaps. I was really impressed with the quality feel and coating on the Brembo discs. The Mintex ones I fitted discoloured almost immediately after fitting, and I'm not sure these ones will do that.
 

t-tony

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When we had our own spares dept. at work we used to sell Brembo. Unfortunately as the need for the almighty profit started to bite they were replaced by lesser makes.:( However re. the coating of discs one type I do recommend is Pagid. I've had them on my Touareg for 2 years now and they would readily accept a coat of paint without any prep.

Tony.
 
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Dino D

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Looking good, nice and colorful down there!

The previous discs were also Brembos (the high carbon versions with dimples) and have given me around 30k. Plus in the last year the car as stood as it's more a weekend toy which seems to shorten disc life.

They were very well priced too thanks @Lee
 

Dino D

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A little update...
@Lee got round to the front of the car and got the coil overs out and they look like this:
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1425063356.658053.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1425063891.107029.jpg

*Badly corroded.
*One damper not returning to length when spring removed.
*One top mount totally seized and causing one side adjust the height by itself (!).

These are FK Coilovers fitted in 2010 and done circa 25k miles in all weathers including winter. Half my commute used to be on a Kentish A roads so plenty of muck..

I'm not sure if this is good or bad as far as longevity goes.
The top mounts were items from an eBay seller.

So I've looked at replacements and settled on a set of BC's like these:
http://www.corbymotorsport.com/z3-c-1_205_14_86_325_342/bmw-z3-9602-bc-coilover-kit-br-p-952.html

Adjustable height and damping (quite easy apparently with little extenders for the rear damper adjustment. Comes complete with pillow ball camber adjustable front top mounts.

They get excellent reviews from BMW forums in the US.

They sound very well engineered, lots of info here:
http://www.bc-racing.co.uk/br-series-coilovers

Should arrive mid March and looking very forward to transformed ride!!
 

Brian H

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Got some of these waiting to go on the car, next day delivery from BC racing.
 
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