My most recent need for speed has presented itself as an orgy of sports car debauchery at Summit Point called "Hyperfest."

Why not run the BMW, I thought to myself? I'll just swing by Grady's shop to let him put it on the lift and make sure it will pass Tech. I've been throwing money at it since March so it couldn't need much, right?

So what I first thought was going to be 'replace front lower control arms, balljoints and bushings, replace tie rods, bleed brakes, align front end, then go outside and drive' has turned into:

-replace front lower control arms, balljoints, and bushings
-replace tie rods and steering rack boots
-replace weeping brake master cylinder
-bleed brakes & clutch hydraulics
-replace front hub assemblies and wheelbearings
-replace worn motor mounts
-replace worn transmission mounts
-replace leaking power steering bottle
-replace worn clutch disc and pressure plate
-replace pilot & release bearings & pivot pin
-replace leaking rear main seal
-replace leaking transmission seals
-replace worn shifter bushings
-replace worn throttle cable
-service/lubricate driveshaft
-replace broken strut mount stud
-tension accessory belts
-align front end
-go outside and drive

Maybe some of this work is slight overkill - but I won't go on track in a car unless I'm 100% sure it's 100% up to the task. And to be fair, I've already gone this far with the car since March (tuneup/t-belt/wheels/tires/brakes/suspension/etc) so I can't possibly stop spending money on it now... right?

Long story short - the bitch is gonna be track ready this weekend if it kills me. I can't afford to eat until next payday, but at least I'll get a chance to hit the go-fast crack pipe at Summit Point this weekend! Until the car breaks, that is...

Misery loves company,

Jon

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about the guibo (driveshaft flex disc.) It needs one of those too.

Dammit...

Jon

 

Edited for brevity it reads like this to me:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...need for speed ...orgy ...debauchery ...throwing money at it ...right?...first thought...turned into: slight overkill ...I've already gone this far ...so I can't possibly stop spending money on it now... right?

Long story short - the bitch ...kills me. ...at least I'll get a chance to hit the go-fast crack pipe ....Misery loves,

Jon


</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

LOL - that, Scott, was one of the funniest, shortest () post you've made yet.

 

Hahahaha perfect, thanks!

 

Sorry to hear man!

P.S.- Are there gonna be open time trials this weekend!??!? Or are you thinking about the drift event?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh yeah, I forgot about the guibo (driveshaft flex disc.) It needs one of those too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

HA! I read some stuff on how to change the clutch on the E36 and they mentioned the guibo. I said, "What the hell is a guibo?" No one I talked to knew either.

And now I have an extra one of those because the junkyard sent me a guibo instead of the rear differential cover that I asked them for. Because they're so close.

Andy - who's SE-R has developed a very similar list in the past year or so...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSiTurbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry to hear man!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well it's really my own fault for trying to turn a 14 year old, 180k-mile BMW into a track *****... right?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">P.S.- Are there gonna be open time trials this weekend!??!? Or are you thinking about the drift event? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I dunno about TT's... I'm simply gonna try to get out for a few sessions in the instructor group this weekend, when I'm not working. The car is not caged (yet) so I don't think I'll be pushing it too hard. Might drift it a little bit tho, I've got the old stockies with **** tires, perfect to put on the back and get big oversteer

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Andy - who's SE-R has developed a very similar list in the past year or so... </TD></TR></TABLE>

My list got so big mostly so I'd know the **** was right, not just guess about things and wait for something else to break. One motor mount was worn-looking so why not replace both, etc. I've been through this same thing on other cars - it's certainly not a surprise to me, but it's never fun for the wallet

 

So what are you saying, the old E30s are becoming "piles" of doggie doo?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">HA! I read some stuff on how to change the clutch on the E36 and they mentioned the guibo. I said, "What the hell is a guibo?" No one I talked to knew either. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's maybe the dumbest $35 part in the history of rwd mankind...



But OF COURSE, as soon as the driveshaft bolts were out, mine crumbled.

 

Jon, I think you're the guibo.

Good luck, see you at hyperfest!

RJ

 

Why did they name a driveline part after a 70s Saturday Night Live character?

&lt;--Cornfused

 

I wouldn't have replaced the wheel bearings unless they were howling, but the rest of the stuff probably needed to be done. You coulda waited on the tie rod ends until you replace the steering rack...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why did they name a driveline part after a 70s Saturday Night Live character?</TD></TR></TABLE>

father guibo sarducci?

this was beat to death on the bmw mailing list a few years ago. the short answer is nobody knows why its called that.

its not a silly part though. the guibo, along with the 2 piece dynamically balanced driveshaft with a center bearing is one of the reasons bmws can run all day at 100+ mph without shaking themselves apart. m-b uses them too. recently I saw one in some other kinda car where i didn't expect to see one. they may be more common than you think

 

I think they can be found on some Lexus and later model RWD Toyotas (Supras), if I'm not mistaken.

As for mine, it's starting to need a good bit of work. Off the top of my head it's time for a t-belt/tensioner, and "while you're in there" belts, hoses. The limited slip is starting to groan a little bit when parking and it sounds like the rear shock mounts need replacin'. Oh, and I"m also having a slight engine hiccup here and there, so I'm hoping it's just that the O2 sensor has never been replaced. All of this coincides with my newfound dislike for working on cars.

Aside from all of that, it's in beautiful condition and I'm considering all offers over 5k.

In all honesty, I love the car, but it's just what it is...a 15 year old BMW.

 

I can't believe you guys bought BMWs...

 

This is what happens when your Honda gets stolen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
-replace leaking power steering bottle
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Usually it's just leaking from the hoses. Just replace the factory crimp clamps with regular hose clamps.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
-replace leaking rear main seal
-replace leaking transmission seals
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't bother unless it's really, really bad. "They all do that". Mine still leaves drops on the trailer after a weekend at the track despite the newish main seal and twice-replaced trans seal. Think of it as "flow-through lubrication".

Haven't you ever owned a british car? That should be required indoctrination for anyone wanting to race, just to learn to put up with busted stuff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JoelG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldn't have replaced the wheel bearings unless they were howling, but the rest of the stuff probably needed to be done. You coulda waited on the tie rod ends until you replace the steering rack...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doing pre-tech I found just a tiny bit of play in the left front bearing - at 179k they sure looked original - so I chose to replace them "while that stuff was apart" for the lower control arms.

Tie rods... I tore both boots when I put the Bilsteins/H&R's on, so I knew they needed to be replaced.

Steering rack - seems ok, although I do have a good spare on the parts car just in case. I wonder if I should pull it and rebuild it, to have it ready?

 

step awaaaaaaaay from the pipe Jon, put it down, it doesn't have to end this way



Brian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by whitney &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Haven't you ever owned a british car? That should be required indoctrination for anyone wanting to race, just to learn to put up with busted stuff </TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh yeah, do you guys like the new graphics scheme?



She'll be off the lift and back on the road tonight... I'm excited!!!???!!!

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
-replace front hub assemblies and wheelbearings
-replace leaking power steering bottle
-replace leaking rear main seal
-replace leaking transmission seals
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'd skip these. The seals are probably just weeping right? Get used to it. If it's just a few drops, then just leave them be.

The power steering bottle isn't leaking, the hoses are. You can redo the hoses if you're so inclined. Otherwise, just make sure it isn't doing anything more than oozing. Don't overfill.

Don't mess w/ the hubs or wheel bearings unless they're shot.

Warren, ex E30 M3 owner

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Warren &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd skip these. The seals are probably just weeping right? Get used to it. If it's just a few drops, then just leave them be.

The power steering bottle isn't leaking, the hoses are. You can redo the hoses if you're so inclined. Otherwise, just make sure it isn't doing anything more than oozing. Don't overfill.

Don't mess w/ the hubs or wheel bearings unless they're shot.

Warren, ex E30 M3 owner</TD></TR></TABLE>

Seals... the trans was out, we were in there, so why not... which is also how I ended up with a short shifter (the bushing kit was almost half as much as a complete E36 M3 shifter, which feels GREAT btw!)

Steering hose leaks I fixed months ago, the bottle had a small heat crack in the lower section AND the fluid was black as night... so my thought was: replace the bottle to have a new strainer, or else new fluid into the old bottle would get contaminated and wear out my 179k mile rack even MORE quickly...

Hubs/bearings, detected a bit of play in one of 'em during Pre-Tech and decided to replace 'em preventatively. 179k miles, original... definitely not gonna hold up for too much longer (track miles anyway)

It feels good to not just do the bare minimum - but dammit this has been an expensive week

Jon

 

GFCP~ take a big pull and try not to choke.

Good luck this weekend. Have fun Jon, and thanks for the help on my car.
See ya tuesday for beers.