I am getting funny looks from people living nearby as a fairly decent looking 3 Series is being reduced to a pile of scrap. With no wheels and the load space full of removed parts, mainly interior trim it looks a poor old sight.
However, I have booked a scrap merchant to come and get it next weekend so hopefully I will avert a complaint. I did toy with the idea of putting it on ebay to see what would sell but thought it better to get shot of it. The only parts I have I do not need are a set of 15 inch wheels. I will keep these so that I can move it around if required.
So, diff all bright and glossy I decided to get it installed. I have to say it was straightforward, the rear mounts lined up perfectly and the front bracket fitted very well after drilling the holes. If this sets the standard for fit I will be very happy.
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I am still thinking over the fuel tank. I have received a lot of comments on the Blog and on the GKD Owners Club site for which I am very grateful. I am really pleased people are happy to share their experiences with me. Thank you all.
Whilst on the subject of help, I needed to order some parts from our local BMW dealership, Sycamore BMW in Peterborough I was a little apprehensive about how they would deal with somebody who is desecrating one of their cars to make something very different. I have to say, all the guys in the parts department have been very helpful, interested in what I am doing and knowledgeable. The final positive is the price, old 3 Series parts are very well priced!
Good to see you're making progress. From the pictures I can tell that the diff. mounting has changes somewhat, looking decent.
ReplyDeleteTwo questions would remain, very difficult to see in the picture.
1. What's the alignment of the diff like? Does it run parallel to the chassis? Does the bolt go straight through at the backside or is it angled (as in mine, which causes it to leak)
2. What bolt arrangment did you use? I had the same bushings as for the rear suspension. These are 1/2" ID, which is quite far off when using the BMW size M12 bolt.
The dealers are great. If you take the part numbers off of realoem or something, they are even happier ;-)
Looks good. Agree with Marc, the front diff mount changes do look like a substantial improvement. Don't forget to change the diff oil while it's still easily accessible (this also applies to the gearbox).
ReplyDeleteMarc, the alignment was spot on "out of the box" I mounted the rear bolts first and then bolted the front mounting to the diff case, measured the centre of the pinion relative to the chassis to make sure it was central and the drilled the bottom mounting holes with a 1/8 drill
ReplyDeletebefore drilling them out with I think a 12.5 drill. I then did the two vertical holes in the same way. I checked the alignment after and was still correct. The rear mount bolts are 90 degrees to the chassis mount so everything is square. I can take some close up pictures if they would help?
I used the two bolts supplied by Peter for the rear mountings, the are not M12 so a English thread (UNC?). They are a good fit in the metalastic bush in the rear diff cover.
Dave/Marc the front diff mounting is a lot stronger than the earlier kits that I have seen. I assume that some failed at some point?
ReplyDeleteIf mine fails it will take the whole diff out!
Currently both the diff and gearbox are empty. I might just fill the diff before the tank goes in finally. Thank you for the idea.
They didn't fail, just bent a little bit. Since getting it modified mine has been absolutely fine.
ReplyDelete