adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Feb 12, 2017 20:28:30 GMT
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After sitting in my living room for months, and with some great help from Rich the Sports seats are now fitted in the front of the touring No pics of the process as the whole job took a lot less time than I was expecting! Could have had it done months ago if I knew how to weld haha They're firmer than the standard seats but I'm really happy with them, looks wise and comfort wise they're bang on. The drivers seat looks quite cracked but its actually soft and supple still, just need to keep on top of it with the cleaning and feeding Random pic of car as me and the girlfriend went for a very cold walk to see the clifton suspension bridge That pic annoys me slightly as in some photos the rear arch gap looks absolutely fine, yet in others theres a bit of a gap that needs tightening up! its not enough of an issue for me to do anything about at the moment in any case Since I've got home I've made a start on the cruise control bracket mk2 Nothing particularly exciting, just made with my hacksaw and files. The plate now goes right up to the edge of the air box, so I can mount the cruise actuator further over and miss the bonnet hinge. Should hopefully be able to sort this in the next couple days so I can see if my retrofit actually works
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It looks spot on in that picture!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Feb 26, 2017 16:53:29 GMT
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It looks spot on in that picture! Thank you very much for saying so Little update on the 5, I did a bit more work on the cruise control bracket and it is now fitted in place! Went out to try it today and... it didn't work.. So some troubleshooting to do there. It might have something to do with me having not been able to mount the clutch switch so I think some footwell gymnastics will be required again.. Aside from that, I've been getting a little bored with the performance and as ever, my mind turns to engine swaps... In an effort to stop these thoughts, I've elected to get a little more noise from the little 6 Not the most sophisticated of mods, but there is method in my madness! I've only drilled the airbox lid so I can simply buy another one and chuck it on if I want to go back to stock, I've also kept the holes to the bottom and sides of the airbox which can't be seen immediately from a look under the bonnet, so it doesn't look too chavvy haha. The upside is that I've now got a more pleasing intake noise without having an ugly cone filter in the engine bay. Have a curse word vid taken with my phone sat on the dash, I haven't got a 'before' vid for comparison but the intake note is definitely deeper Another thing that got done was I took it to the local garage to have the other front suspension arms and majority of the steering linkages changed out in the hope of fixing my 60mph 'shimmy'. It does seem to be better than it was but its still there! Not entirely sure what my next step is, I need to adjust the steering box a bit as theres some play but I can't think what else to look at to make the shimmy go away, very annoying :/
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Feb 26, 2017 18:06:43 GMT
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what have you replaced so far up front? I found that play in the steering box had nothing to do with the shimmy directly, though it didn't help the wandering they can have.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Feb 26, 2017 18:17:23 GMT
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what have you replaced so far up front? I found that play in the steering box had nothing to do with the shimmy directly, though it didn't help the wandering they can have. So far its been: lower and upper arms, drop links, tie rods, centre steering link and idler arm. Plus the dampers, springs and top mounts got done last year.. Theres not really much else left to change
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Mar 20, 2017 22:29:33 GMT
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Not really got any exciting photos but its been nearly a month since I updated on the 5 so whats been going on? I've got a boot load cover Much excite.. Unfortunately even this mundane item hasn't been without its challenges, the breaker who sold me it neglected to show or mention that the lower part of the plastic handle was broken.. ¬¬ I've got a replacement bit, but the top part of the handle seems broken as well, so I'll have to affix them together somehow In other news, the car still shakes around 60mph, If I knew a decent reputable garage nearby I'd just chuck it in with them and ask them to find whatever is wrong but I'm not taking it back to the garage who fitted all the suspension arms as I think it was a mistake going there.. So thats still unresolved Related-ish, the steering still has play in it, and adjusting the big nut on the steering column has now caused the steering to creak at low speeds.. So that needs loosening off a little and adjusting up at the steering box. Hopefully this will resolve the 'binding' feel in the steering when at extremes of lock as it doesn't want to return fully to dead ahead To balance out that bad news with good news, I've refitted the parking sensors which work fine. I've also fitted some Ford C Max mist windscreen washers. (The screen is still cracked and the wiper linkage is still knackered..) I've also found that my minimal clearance between the exhaust back box and the rear left tyre was a bit too minimal as there has been some rubbing.. Solution to this will be a backbox 'delete' and maybe a new tyre if its caused enough damage :/ Aaand the cruise still doesn't work as I've not quite worked out how to mount the clutch switch yet, although I have now found the wire for it and have a cunning plan which may get the cruise working in the meantime.. But despite the negatives, its still plodding on, 140k miles isn't far around the corner and I've got some service items so thats another job for the list! More positive update soon..
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Mar 26, 2017 17:10:07 GMT
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More positive update! The backbox is being removed on Tuesday, to be replaced with either a pipe or a smaller backbox, will also be getting a twin pipe exit to fill the cutout in the bumper better. The rear passenger side tyre also looks usable still, this was the cause for the exhaust hanging over too far.. a fully knackered exhaust hanger! Today I've fitted my replacement tailgate trim panel, its not in all that much better condition than the one I had, but 3 of the 4 tabs for the toolkit hinges are intact, whereas the other one has all 4 broken so its an improvement! While in the boot, I also fixed the load cover handle The next job was to look at the cruise control, after being told that the clutch switch needs to be held in to make the cruise work I actually managed to get the cruise control working by holding the switch in my hand Today's job was to mount the switch above the clutch pedal where it should be I've got some photos but they don't make much sense unless you're intimately familiar with an E34 pedal box... Essentially I'm not convinced the clutch pedal switch bracket I have is the correct one. When I put it in place, it fouled on the clutch pedal itself. A bit more investigation has turned up another part number for the bracket, they're pretty inexpensive so I've ordered one and will see if its different. For the meantime, I've put a jumper wire in the plug for the clutch switch so I can have cruise control but just can't cancel it with the clutch pedal so thats a partial win in my book
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Last Edit: Mar 26, 2017 17:10:58 GMT by adam73bgt
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Mar 30, 2017 20:45:41 GMT
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Exhaust update.. Its done! Rear section has now been replaced with a straight pipe with a twin exit tip Really pleased with how it looks now compared to the standard single pipe It sounds pretty cool also, proper BMW 6 sound, and quiet while cruising at motorway speeds Not a great video as that was from my phone sat in the centre console with all the windows up but you get the idea Aside from sorting the clutch switch for the cruise control (got a different switch bracket coming) there's one other big thing that's really annoying me about the car at the moment and that's the front suspension/steering, either need to find a good garage locally or have a look at it myself once the Mazda is usable as daily for a bit :/
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,188
Club RR Member Number: 170
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1995 BMW E34 520i- End.. 05/03ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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There's some good progress there! It seems these old BMWs (including mine) can give you quite a bit of jip at times! As for the shimmying Ross at BT tyres might be able to advise you, the place that took the locking nuts off your Saab .
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Curtis
Part of things
Posts: 622
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Looking good man, and sounds great (Y) Might be worth asking that garage by mine to have a look? As I said on FB, can't really judge based on my wheel bearing change, but they sound like a helpful, friendly bunch at least
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Driving: Shitbox Honda S-MX
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Cheers guys Its the loud low speed steering creak/squeak thats annoying me the most at the moment as its a bit embarassing haha though the shimmy is irritating as well particularly after the money and parts thats been thrown at it! I may try and get the front end lifted up this weekend and see if there's anything really obviously wrong before ringing around a few garages I have a feeling its because the garage I took it to last time didn't have the car on its wheels before torquing up the suspension arms, but I have no way of proving this and if this is the case, its likely going to mean having to buy more suspension arms again as the ones that are on there will be wrecked..
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Mar 31, 2017 14:07:48 GMT
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Cheers guys Its the loud low speed steering creak/squeak thats annoying me the most at the moment as its a bit embarassing haha though the shimmy is irritating as well particularly after the money and parts thats been thrown at it! I may try and get the front end lifted up this weekend and see if there's anything really obviously wrong before ringing around a few garages I have a feeling its because the garage I took it to last time didn't have the car on its wheels before torquing up the suspension arms, but I have no way of proving this and if this is the case, its likely going to mean having to buy more suspension arms again as the ones that are on there will be wrecked.. could be, could be.....what type of bushing are in the suspension?....I know some materials do creak more than others.....Your theory that the suspension was not torqued down under load sounds reasonable..... If you can isolate the source of the sound....it would definitely help. JP
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I know its spelled Norman Luxury Yacht, but its pronounced Throat Wobbler Mangrove!
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What condition are your top mounts in? Had some squeak in a 306 at low speeds.... right before they snapped a spring.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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What condition are your top mounts in? Had some squeak in a 306 at low speeds.... right before they snapped a spring. They were new as of July last year so I'll be annoyed if they're knackered already!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Jun 10, 2017 20:31:30 GMT
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Wow no update in here in over 2 months now! The reason for this is that I've just been using the 5 really, though the issues are growing.. The 'shimmy' is back with a vengeance around 55-60mph but I've just been driving around the issue mostly, I've also noticed that the sump gasket is leaking oil badly and its taking a top up fairly regularly In mildly more positive news I have been getting quotes for the BBS RT's to be refurbed professionally, as I'm just not going to get round to doing it myself and while its going to be expensive, the results should be worth it! With all that out the way, the real reason I'm updating this thread.. Excuse the rubbish photos but I've got myself another donor car! (first one was the 525tds for the black interior) This time round I've got a 525i Sport manual, which really is the ideal donor car for upgrading a 520i as it has all the bits I need The main bits will be the engine, gearbox, prop, LSD, rear diff carrier (though I've got a 525i one in the garage already anyway), engine loom and ECU stuff Theres also some Sport interior bits which I'll have as well First job for me is to get the RX7 running and out on the road so the 525i can go on the driveway to begin the strip down. I've also got a fair bit of reading to do on the swap to make sure I get all the bits I need before selling/scrapping the shell Also while the engine is out, I'll look into doing a 2.8 or 3.0 stroker using M52 or M54 internals respectively Hopefully after all that I'll have the ideal daily!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Jun 17, 2017 17:49:31 GMT
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I've not wasted any time in getting the Sport apart, got most of the interior out now and will be up for sale in due course. I could have taken photos of this but I think I've taken enough interior shots of E34's when I did my black interior swap Here is a quick pic of some bits I will be keeping for mine though Sports wood trim which is much darker than standard and very rare to come by, a couple of bits have some surface cracks but shines up well. The main trouble bit is the gear stick surround which is very matte, as if someone has tried to sand it in the past, so I'll try to polish that up a bit. There's also some sort of phone holder stuck to it, which I'll need to remove very carefully! I started taking the outside of it apart today, partly with a view to getting better access to the engine, and partly with a view to getting bits off to sell After I took both side skirts off, my slight guilt in breaking a rare E34 soon disappeared.. Both sills are pretty rotten, worse than I had on the touring, and this came with a nearly full MOT as well! Those side skirts really can hide a lot of sins...
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Jun 17, 2017 18:17:27 GMT
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Meths might work for getting the phone thing off.
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Jun 17, 2017 20:27:22 GMT
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I like the way you go about things. Is the sportcthe one that was for sale for a while? Quite cheap by sport prices?
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Jun 17, 2017 22:35:26 GMT
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I like the way you go about things. Is the sportcthe one that was for sale for a while? Quite cheap by sport prices? Cheers Yeah it had been up for a while, was down on the south coast He dropped the price a few times before my offer was accepted, not sure if he'd had people go to look at it and be put off by the jacking points or the tired interior or something
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Jun 17, 2017 23:25:36 GMT
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The touring looks awesome, the mods you have planned will make an amazing daily!
Cheers, Drew
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Last Edit: Jun 17, 2017 23:26:55 GMT by Tired Drew
2001 Mk4 Golf - Not retro yet but getting there
Some cars I've owned: '91 Renault Clio 1.4 RT '96 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (the one that got away) '96 Vauxhall Astra Euro'96 Gold edition '97 Renault Laguna 2.0 RT '98 Mk3 Golf GTI Colour Concept '00 PT Cruiser
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