Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Document your Sixer project here.

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Masked Man
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Steering fix & Control arms! WHOOP!!

Post by Masked Man »

Geez,

This was supposed to have gotten done a while ago but dear old Momma Nature and scheduling conspired to put me off, so. Saturday morning bright and early, -please read- 9:30 or so- Vince and I will dive under Grace {yeah, after 3 years she finally has a name} and have at the sub-frame and the upper and lower control arms.

I've gotten conflicting input on whether or not we need to weight the car in order to properly tighten the suspension bits. Some have said, naw, while others say, you must. Opinions? Experience? I know we have to have it back on the wheels and not sitting on jack stands but what say you, brain trust?

Hopefully, I will take numerous pictures, so you all can get a good chuckle out of our labors. Oh yeah, I also plan to replace the starter while we're deep into it. God knows this job has needed doing since I purchased Grace coming up on 3 years ago in 2 weeks. Wow!

Keep the shiny side UP!

Phillip
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Post by Brucey »

definitely on the wheels, won't hurt to load up the car with dummy 'passengers' but this isn't 100% essential.

You can jack each wheel up in turn (whilst on axle stands if you like) to give the correct fender gap for the loaded condiiton before tightening the arms on that side. Be careful though....

cheers
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Post by Masked Man »

It's Saturday night and the first day of work went well, if strenuously. Disconnection went about as expected. Lowering the subframe was pretty straightforward, used the floor jack to stabilize it while lowering.

Then moved on to replacing the starter. OMFG! People? Just take the effing plenum off. No, really. Just take the damn thing off and do it that way. The work around is a PITA even with the factory box wrench. We got the bolts off with difficulty and while the new unit is from an e34 and therefore smaller/lighter than the freaking boat anchor that came OFF the car? Getting this thing back on is like putting new wings on a plane while you're in flight. IF you happen to have a double jointed spider monkey who can wrench? You're set, otherwise...

Tomorrow we will finish tightening up the starter and replace the steering box on the NEW subframe and then put that sucka back up there with the new upper and lower control arms! A suggestion for those of you contemplating this portion of the work. This is the ideal time to replace the oilpan gasket and or the oil pump. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to get a new gasket from one of the suppliers, especially considering the present one drips! ~le sigh~

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip

Edit: I forgot to mention that in order to at least partially tighten that freakin' top bolt on the starter? We carefully placed a 6' 2X14 across the engine bay and got at it from directly above. I tried lying on the roof (on a quilt of course) in order to have a better angle for my aging wrists buuuuuuuut because I've kept Grace sooooo shiny, I kept sliding down the windshield and into the engine bay, to the GREAT amusement of Vince G. and Greg B. Guys are heartless, heartless I tell you!
Last edited by Masked Man on Sun Nov 27, 2011 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Freshbread »

double jointed spider monkey
Lol they are a pain in the dick to remove. :lol:
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Masked Man
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Eff Effity Eff EFF!

Post by Masked Man »

Oh my GAWD! All the threads on doing the subframe steering box fix, gloss riiiiight over getting the splined shaft back into the steering mechanism thru the firewall. After various attempts from underneath, above and wanting to dig a hole THRU the wheel well wall, we called it quits with the sun going down.

And of course I have to work this week, sooooooo, Grace will sit out back, waiting till I have time. DAMN!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Ha Ha Ha, it is to laugh!!!

Post by Masked Man »

Okay, today -hopefully- Vince and I will get Grace put back together. Given the delay, I purchased an oilpan gasket, since I reckoned I don't plan to remove the sub-frame anytime again in the foreseeable future. Yeah, about that? Think it's just a case of removing a sh*t-ton of small bolts and then using a rubber mallet to convince the oilpan to come loose?

Guess again. Um, I hadn't realized just how much stuff is attached to our oilpans! I spent 5 minutes just gazing up at the power-steering pump, alternator and realizing that this -I'd assumed- simple task was going to take hours to complete. Alas, I didn't have those necessary hours. So, now I have a lovely new gasket for my dear Grace, which will hang upon the garage wall for, oooh I'm guessing years?

One hour until re-assembly begins. I hope to add some pictures of the process.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Operation a success, sort of, kinda, some.

Post by Masked Man »

Bloody HELL! #-o #-o #-o Okay, first the good news: The car is re-assembled. The way to get the steering booster hooked back up to the steering column is to attach the universal joint to the splined shaft that comes out of the firewall. Then using some mechanical method, (zip ties, string, what have you) secure them so they don't fall down and out of the column. Attach the subframe to the frame rails.

NOTE: because of the outward angle of the rubber motor mount studs, you WILL have to force one or the other of the studs into place on the subframe. Snug it up into position and then reaching in from above, position the U joint on the splines of the booster, jiggle into place and put in the thru bolt. I highly recommend cleaning the holy peewaddle out of all splines and then using a lubricant to aid in sliding things into place.

The next batch of things were bloody frustrating and made us both shake our heads. I know I need tie rods but thru having to use a puller to remove them, one bolt end got deformed, precluding its reuse. I couldn't get the nut back on. ~le sigh~ Rang a local serious parts store but of course they aren't carrying 1985 BMW parts. Okay, so we figured we'd replace the fluids -coolant, oil, steering booster fluid, start Grace and put her in the garage till I could get some new tie rods. Yeah well, the heater valve (a replacement) began dripping, the radiator plug somehow shed its o-ring and began leaking like a sieve. And it seems we mis-connected the new starter because it damn sure didn't fire.

~lol~What's that quote? "But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play?" At least she's back on her wheels, in the garage and these things will be dealt with. Oh yes they will. :wink: :wink:

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Hallelujah!!

Post by Masked Man »

OMG!

Gentlemen? GENTLEMEN? We have achieved motion! Yea verily, Grace doth live! Ralph drove down from Victimville and nearly as fast as you can say, 'Bob's your uncle' the starter was sorted, the heater valve was connected and we were replacing the tie-rods and center link.
Next up, getting the front end aligned and well, she'll be ready for new shoes!!!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip

PS Thanks to Ralph, Vince and Greg for helping out



And here are Greg, Ralph & me in front of my building.
<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6497 ... 8849_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="6ers 3"></a>
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Post by Ralph in Socal »

OUCH
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

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Sweet Mother of BUDDHA it's been a while!

Post by Masked Man »

Aaaaaand ACTION!

Okay, yes I've been missing in action for quite some time. BUT that is all behind me. Once again, BMW buddies stepped up and pitched in and Grace is roadworthy, if still bent.


Ralph and Vince showed up on Saturday -Ralph fresh from buying yet ANOTHER e28!-

The first task was to get the trunk lid open. The collision had shoved the back in and pinched the lock such that there was too much torque on it to allow it to come free. Ralph managed to reach up and by quarter turns (or less) remove the two bolts that hold it place.
Once it was open, removing the spare was the next challenge. Deflation and liberal application of soapy water along with -I swear- a pick axe, finally got it out. NOTE, the pick axe was used to lever, not to destroy.

Anyway, after removal of the pretzel, (getting the nuts off of the passenger side mounting bracket proved difficult though not impossible -this is because they are up behind the petrol tank). So, one side removed and with the aid of my reciprocating saw, ~shudder~ we cut the mangled bumper away from Grace. While we all -or at least most of us- find the US bumpers less than lovely? A perusal of the Euro bumper (even WITH the required iron re-inforcing bar inside it) led me to realize that these things are decorative ONLY! Oh, I actually found some rust on Grace! That iron re-enforcing bar had a coating of oxidation! The nerve!

Next, we removed the spare. It being pinched by a slight crushing of the tire well by the collision. Deflation, soapy water and a great deal of grunting and swearing later, out it came.

Then we used the scissor jack from my Acura to 'encourage' the tail light opening to return to its original shape and PRESTO! Grace is street legal if not yet returned to her former beauty.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip


<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7101/7328 ... 39e7_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Grace w:new taillight"></a>
<a><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7328 ... 15ff_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Carrunch!"></a>
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Post by Masked Man »

So I'm not duplicating posts here, see "Grace 2.0? Maybe?" in the Saloon section for an update!!!

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Look at that ASSSSSSS!

Post by Masked Man »

Now introducing, Grace's new ass -to be- Got this from Ralph last week and when I gather the funds, it will be replacing the crumpled mess that presently offends the eye.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Ain't it purdy?
Ain't it purdy?
P1010013.jpg (76.54 KiB) Viewed 18075 times
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Post by tschultz »

Good news if you have a good bodyman to swap it!!
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Greetings and salutations!!!

Yep, I'm baaaaack! Howdy folks! At present, Grace is in the capable hands of Kapo Koshkarian who is resurrecting her as I type these words. She should be road ready by the end of September. And then I have to get the A/C working and and do half a million other bits and bobs. And yes, it HAS been 5 years. Never you mind.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by GRNSHRK »

OMG, be still me beating heart =D>

Hard to believe that after 5 years you have returned to the fold, but welcome back \:D/

We obviously need to hear more [-o<

:mrgreen:
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Hey Bobbo!

After a seriously low ebb in my pecuniary fortunes, things are looking UP. With an infusion of outside funds Grace is (like the proverial Phoenix) arising from her crumpled rear end. That wasn't nearly as poetic as I envisioned it being. ~le sigh~
So, the plan is this.
1. Get body repair & respray -due for completion 9/15 + or -
2. restore A/C to functionality
3. replace (or have replaced) headliner
4. Get the DAMNED speedo/odo working
5. re-shoe the beast & get new shocks for all 4 corners


[attachment=1]Grace#1.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=0]Grace#2.jpg[/attachment]




Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
Attachments
Grace#2.jpg
Grace#2.jpg (156.77 KiB) Viewed 16015 times
Grace#1.jpg
Grace#1.jpg (143.03 KiB) Viewed 16015 times
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by songzunhuang »

Masked Man wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:12 am Hey Bobbo!

After a seriously low ebb in my pecuniary fortunes, things are looking UP. With an infusion of outside funds Grace is (like the proverial Phoenix) arising from her crumpled rear end. That wasn't nearly as poetic as I envisioned it being. ~le sigh~
So, the plan is this.
1. Get body repair & respray -due for completion 9/15 + or -
2. restore A/C to functionality
3. replace (or have replaced) headliner
4. Get the DAMNED speedo/odo working
5. re-shoe the beast & get new shocks for all 4 corners


Grace#1.jpg

Grace#2.jpg




Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
Haha, I'm enjoying your posts.
Oh, Grace is missing quite a bit of her rear! It'll be interesting to see this one come together.
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Thanks Song Huang!

I'm catching up on your 6er and it looks like quite the journey so far. =D> =D> Kapo explained that because of the way Grace was hit, the only way to get back to square and straight was to remove the back-end and left quarter panel and then bring the metal back to its original shape. Hey, he's the expert. I'll keep posting pics.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Two more pics of Kapo's work.


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2nd shot
2nd shot
Butt #2.jpg (158.68 KiB) Viewed 15842 times




Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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New Butt
New Butt
New butt.jpg (168.42 KiB) Viewed 15842 times
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by dlvad »

Thanks for the update.
Great thread..
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Okay then!

Here are a few more pics of the work so far.
Attachments
fitment looks close and consistent
fitment looks close and consistent
Left taillight.jpg (140.22 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
I'm liking this
I'm liking this
Left quarter.jpg (237.17 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
BMW makes em solid!
BMW makes em solid!
Interior brace.jpg (221.56 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
Goodie goodie!!
Goodie goodie!!
Brazed corner.jpg (139.83 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Here are a few more.

Attachments
Spare Tire bay.jpg
Spare Tire bay.jpg (171.28 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
Right taillight.jpg
Right taillight.jpg (227.57 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
Loooook!!.jpg
Loooook!!.jpg (171.46 KiB) Viewed 15672 times
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Okay then!

It's taking a BIT longer than I had hoped, to get to this point. (The job was supposed to be done in 6 weeks and now we're up to 12 weeks. But regardless, here are a few more images of the progress.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
Attachments
Side.JPG
Side.JPG (245.25 KiB) Viewed 15543 times
rear quarter.JPG
rear quarter.JPG (250.88 KiB) Viewed 15543 times
Back end.JPG
Back end.JPG (251 KiB) Viewed 15543 times
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by hornhospital »

To paraphrase Ron's signature: "It always takes longer than you thought".

I see someone's tasked a shower stool for a shop stool. I did the same thing. It's great to be able to adjust it to the exact height you need. All the other shop stools around here were too low for my arthritic knees.
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Re: Good things begin on Jan. 12, 2009!!

Post by Masked Man »

Yes Ken,

Longer than I'd wanted or hoped but it surely does take more time.
Kapo is a couple of years my junior I'm 65 and so I'm sure the shower chair is exactly that. An aid for aging knees. I'm going up tomorrow (Thursday Nov. 2) to see how things are going. More pics then.

Keep the shiny side up

Phillip
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