Update and suspension sorted

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AusChris
E21 starter
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:29 am

Update and suspension sorted

Post by AusChris »

Hi all, have been a bit slack in posting anything about progress. Am just back from Philippines and spent Saturday, with help from youngest son, Patrick, replacing my worn shock absorbers with some new stock billsteins.

So here are some photos taken today - at bottom of post.

Some of you may remember my issues with the bush and washers where sway bar meets the control arm. You can see my solution in one of the photos - I left the washer out, even a new one with rubber on it still left a sizeable gap, so I used in on the other side and now the bush does what it is supposed to do.

Now the car handles and performs. Cost? - heaps - new tie rods, control arms, sway bushes, strut inserts, spring pads, top mounts. Rear is all new too, with only the H and R lowering springs reused. For height at front, I ended up using strock springs from my donor car (boy has that car saved me money!!) which I cut 1.5 links off. I know this will be a weak point, but for the type of driving I do, it won't matter. Parts alone are close to $1,200.

Have also replaced all the rubbers and seals with new ones. With new carpet stuck into the boot and in the cabin (under rear seat for example), wind noise is back to original spec and engine and exhaust noise much reduced in cabin - particularly since I had the valves adjusted.

H4 conversions in front now give good lighting and look part. Highs are H3 100W halogens - could go HID projectors etc, but doesn't seem to suit this grand old car.

Car is nearly as clean as I like it and have just put in stereo (all solid state, no discs) - so starting to feel comfortable - except for seats.

But there's always a new thing to do on the car, isn't there?

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DrGonzoPOW
E21 Pro
Posts: 990
Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 4:44 pm
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Update and suspension sorted

Post by DrGonzoPOW »

That is cleeeeean! Really nice car you have mate!
Wakefield Hellfire
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AusChris
E21 starter
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:29 am

Re: Update and suspension sorted

Post by AusChris »

DrGonzoPOW wrote:That is cleeeeean! Really nice car you have mate!
Unless you have driven a quick e21, you just can;t understand the smile on you face. Particularly when you have just spent a fraction of the amount needed to get a great smile in Philippines.

Take care all

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more here http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 3204164124
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nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Update and suspension sorted

Post by nas80 »

makes a big difference does ALL new suspension, nice work . very clean looking e21 you have too.
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
AusChris
E21 starter
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:29 am

Re: Update and suspension sorted

Post by AusChris »

Thanks Nas, I've probably put about 200 hours into it all up since it arrived in December. I will take some more photos of what I have done and post up here later.

There is still a long list of things to do, but more about touching up or repainting panels - plus some nice things like 15 inch wheels, new screen etc. The wish list never stops.
m3gaz
E21 Fanatic
Posts: 406
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:46 pm
My E21(s): looking
Location: Bexley Kent

Re: Update and suspension sorted

Post by m3gaz »

Like it alot. :thumbsup
There's one out there with my name on it.
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