lowering

shredz · Post by **shredz** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:10 am

Can anyone paste some pictures of the e21 from the side with -20/20mm
- 40/40mm -60/60mm and perhaps -60/40(20)mm drop ? never seen any comparance pics before..

J.K.jr.bad. · Post by **J.K.jr.bad.** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:32 am

Actually there already is such topic..

well anyway right way to go is 60mm drop. Looks like this on 315:

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:45 am

60/40

shredz · Post by **shredz** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:20 pm

Damn it. i've bought -40\40... should have baught 60\40 or 60\60.. daamn..

e21-Mark · Post by **e21-Mark** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:29 pm

You need to call ''ANGLE GRINDER MAN''!

shredz · Post by **shredz** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:02 pm

dont think i'll have to grind the arches or anything..205\40 17"

DrGonzoPOW · Post by **DrGonzoPOW** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:07 pm

Is that the bloke who chops clamps off peoples cars ?

rob0r · Post by **rob0r** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:10 pm

Talking of lowering, is yours sorted yet gonzo?

drjim · Post by **drjim** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:22 pm

If he's relying on me to help it won't be for a while. I am working the next three weekends and have had to cancel my days off next week. I am being paid a lot though!

murran · Post by **murran** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:55 pm

drjim wrote:I am being paid a lot though!

i hate you!

DrGonzoPOW · Post by **DrGonzoPOW** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:28 am

Unfortunately Jim i am relying on you

If i borrowed your spring compressors is it a job i could handle ?

drjim · Post by **drjim** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:38 am

Murran - your hatred is genuine and heartfelt, I don't care

Gonzo - it's very easy to do, you can borrow mine, but my top tip is to have two sets. Compress the spring with a jack under the suspension arm using the weight of the car, fit a set of compressors to hold it. I then used another set so I had all 4 sides clamped down. That was more an issue on the 635CSI which had big beasts of springs! I left the bottom of the struts fitted to the car and just worked in the wheelarch.

Jim (the hated one)

rob0r · Post by **rob0r** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:52 am

He's changing the shocks as well IIRC, I'd drop the front struts for that and do them on a bench. If I was you I'd undo the track control arm from the subframe, release the steering rod end with a ball joint splitter, undo the big ARB nut, and remove the brake caliper. Seems like more work but with fiddling with springs and shocks on a car is a nightmare (well only at the front). Often the shock collars are seized on a good'un so get the stilsons prepared (I've even used oxy-acetelene on a set before... yes, that is dangerous).

I did exactly what you need to do gonzo to pistonheader's 316 in about 3-4hours, but I do have experience and the tools.

DrGonzoPOW · Post by **DrGonzoPOW** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:23 pm

Mmmm, looks like i could use help then. Dont think i have all the tools needed

rob0r · Post by **rob0r** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:41 pm

Stilsons, any old tool shop
Ball Joint Splitter, I got mine from Machine Mart for £7. A vital tool IMO!
Spring compressors, I borrow some - borrow jims!
Jack
13, 17, 19, 22 either or a 24mm Sockets and ratchet
breaker bar
You may need some spanners
You may also want some pentrative oil like plusgas/wd40/duck oil etc to loosen things up

I think that's about it. Things can get interesting when undoing the shock collar, so if you have to use a lot of force make sure the stilsons are on straight... I learnt my lesson the hard way. I would offer to help, but I'm miles away!