#ZedShed Project Low Rider - BMW Z3 2.2i Sport

[Bozzy]

Saturday update, which of course started with the obligatory bacon butty where we met up with @Oldguysrule for a natter.

From there, it was a trip around Basingstoke in the #ZedShed bus (Audi A2) to collect parts from various locations. Diff bush was at the main post office, and then over to GSF for some more bits, and then B&Q for a new disc for the angle grinder, and then back to pick up my car and then back to the #ZedShed. Nearly 12 by the time we started! That said, we've done this procedure soooo many times now it's down as a fine art.

New beam bushes fitted. When the old one was pushed out, the metal core came out leaving the outer part behind - this is the first time it's happened to this extent. We knew it was bad from visual inspection and the fact you could move the centre with your hand.
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The new PowerFlex diff bush. For reference we fit these as they can be installed by hand and don't require pressing in. It's purely for convenience and not that they are better than OE quality rubber for the purpose.
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Ready to drop down on to the floor and refit!
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Once we got the sub frame back up in place we stripped the rear discs off so we can make sure everything is good underneath them. Err, oops... Quick trip back to GSF to buy some new pads then
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A quick peak underneath with the sub frame refitted. The shield behind the discs are badly corroded. Annoyingly the hub has to be removed to change these, so it's not something we do in the shed as it's a real time consuming PITA!
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If you have all been paying attention so far you will remember we cut off the rear section of the exhaust with an angle grinder due to the corrosion of the front exhaust flange. The guys at the local exhaust centre suggested this, and the use of 'sleeves' to reconnect it. We'd already picked up the wrong sized sleeves from GSF (someone measured incorrectly in the dark), so went out to get some smaller ones. They didn't have the smaller ones there so a rare visit to Eurocarparts, who had the correct size. We'd already purchased some exhaust cement to make sure everything is sealed and safe.
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I had to leave just before the exhaust was refitted, and the essential test drive. Got a text from Lee to say "all good", which leads me to believe your back end issues & over active traction control are resolved now Steve . Hopefully @Lee will update the thread with his test drive verdict soon!

wow top job again,@Low Rider will be made up I'm sure.
So @t-tony when can we start booking in at the Midlands Zed Shed ltd for these such jobs .

Steve.

 

[t-tony]

wow top job again,@Low Rider will be made up I'm sure.
So @t-tony when can we start booking in at the Midlands Zed Shed ltd for these such jobs .

Steve.

I can think of 2 three week spells where you and @Grumpy could come and do all sorts. Seriously though whenever, all we need is manpower. I can soon pump the pit out.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

I can think of 2 three week spells where you and @Grumpy could come and do all sorts. Seriously though whenever, all we need is manpower. I can soon pump the pit out.

Tony.

Ooooh I can feel a plan hatching .....or is just wind....I've had beans.

Steve.

 

[Redline]

Ooooh I can feel a plan hatching .

Steve.

Get the swarfega out guys...

 

[GazHyde]

*coughs*

 

[Bozzy]

*coughs*

Sorry boss

Steve

 

[Low Rider]

Great job chaps that disc shield is a bit of a shocker

It is that Andy.

 

[GazHyde]

With regards to the shields they are all heading that way, not the best quality bit of metal and they are exposed to the elements continually!

 

[t-tony]

Constant heating and cooling kills metal far quicker than just corrosion on its own Steve.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

Constant heating and cooling kills metal far quicker than just corrosion on its own Steve.

Tony.

Nice to have back to original condition I'm sure, but, do those disc shields perform any real purpose? One side of the disc is exposed anyway. Covering up just over 1/4 of the other side seems to have any real function or have I missed something?

 

[t-tony]

I often wonder if they would be better without Ian. More often that not its the inner side of a brake disc which ends up in the worst condition, as a point of interest. I had some new front tyres on Shirley's car this morning and had a peek while the wheels were off. Both disc are getting to be in a poor state on the insides and these have splash guards.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I often wonder if they would be better without Ian. More often that not its the inner side of a brake disc which ends up in the worst condition, as a point of interest. I had some new front tyres on Shirley's car this morning and had a peek while the wheels were off. Both disc are getting to be in a poor state on the insides and these have splash guards.

Tony.

Sounds like water and more abrasive stuff gets battered inside the shield. On top of heating and cooling - add trapped water (and salt). Making them out of corrosive metal sounds a brilliant idea. Not. At least its a reduction in unsprung weight.

 

[GazHyde]

We see very little difference between the front and rear faces when they come off. Rust doesn't really play nicely though, does it?!?!

 

[Low Rider]

With regards to the shields they are all heading that way, not the best quality bit of metal and they are exposed to the elements continually!

I would imagine most Zs are the same, as you say Gaz thin metal exposed to the elements

 

[GazHyde]

I don't think I've ever seen one on any car in factory condition. It's just a general observation mainly.

Just got a message that Steve has approved the next job which is the water pump, thermostat and belts. Looks like there will be an update and more pictures on Thursday evening then

 

[Redline]

I don't think I've ever seen one on any car in factory condition. It's just a general observation mainly.

Just got a message that Steve has approved the next job which is the water pump, thermostat and belts. Looks like there will be an update and more pictures on Thursday evening then

Always a worthwhile bit of maintenance. Hopefully a simple job to do without risk of trauma.
Do you use waterless coolant at all?

 

[GazHyde]

Do you use waterless coolant at all?

No, we just stick to what's in it when it comes in. Trying stuff like that would be done on our own cars before we tried on someone else...

 

[Redline]

No, we just stick to what's in it when it comes in. Trying stuff like that would be done on our own cars before we tried on someone else...

Its one of those changes that only pays back over tens of thousands of miles. I wonder if anyone has used it. Less corrosion. Better heat transfer. Better subzero protection. Reduced sludge. It sounds too good to be true (if you're keeping your car).

 

[t-tony]

We see very little difference between the front and rear faces when they come off. Rust doesn't really play nicely though, does it?!?!

Rust is like illness it doesn't respect wealth, by that I mean even an expensive car will succumb to corrosion. If you saw as many cars as I do you would realise that the vast majority of discs have a bright outer side and a very rusty pitted inside. The ones that survive best to be honest are on Renault Meganes and Scenics which don't have a splash guard.

Tony.

 

[Low Rider]

Rust is like illness it doesn't respect wealth, by that I mean even an expensive car will succumb to corrosion. If you saw as many cars as I do you would realise that the vast majority of discs have a bright outer side and a very rusty pitted inside. The ones that survive best to be honest are on Renault Meganes and Scenics which don't have a splash guard.

Tony.

Now I thought all cars had splash guards. Interesting that some don't but car they better off because of it?