Spaced out!

[SilverZed]

Well the 15mm spacers for my rear end arrived the other day and I couldn't wait to see if I'd made a mistake or not. So out I went to chuck them on.

The aluminium spacer was a much tighter fit than I was expecting having fitted many in the past. I used 3 of the new wheel bolts supplied to pull it onto the hub uniformly...


While I had my head under the arch I thought I might as well check/clean these drainage channels that I've read so much about. One 10mm and two 8mm sockets req'd to loosen the inner arch trim...


then if you just bend it downwards you can get your hand in to feel around for the rubber grommet valve that is in the end of the tube...

 

[SilverZed]

The rubber grommet acts like a crude non-return valve letting water out but preventing road spatter from entering/clogging the drain channel...


It takes virtually no effort to open the valve from the top (in the direction of rainwater flow) but it resists any detritus fired at it from below...


I used some old co-axial cable to thread up the drainage tube to check for blockages. In my case all seemed clear and nothing came out after a good reaming with at least 30cm or so up the pipe. If you do this with the hood down you will see the cable pop out the top on the drivers side. The view of the drainage channel outlet on the passenger side is obscured by the motor body.

I think if your car has been garaged when not in use you will likely have no problems but if like many Z4s it has been treated like a normal car and left outside 24/7 there is more chance of a build up of leaves/silt etc.

I think this is worth checking for peace of mind anyway - next time we are away in the Lakes for the weekend and I'm lying in bed listening to the rain at least I won't be worrying about my hood motor getting a bath!

 

[SilverZed]

Anyway here is a pic of the rear before spacer fitment...


And same (or at least similar) view afterwards...


I'm pleased with the results though I'm not sure the aesthetic effect is as impressive as it is when this is done to a Z3...

 

[GazHyde]

Looks like I need to wrestle the 15mm spacers off the Z3, because that looks spot on! As you say, not as visually appealing as on the Z3 but still worth the effort!

 

[SilverZed]

At under £50 delivered a very good value mod!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1002751128

 

[Grimstead]

When I had the wheels off mine I used this to find those valves, Cheers mate!