BMW E24 635CSi Euro Spec - Project Mako-ver - Suspension Removal

Getting the E24 635CSi ready for a full suspension refresh by removing the front and rear suspension, brakes, and dropping the rear subframe.
Tools Used:
1/2" Extendable Ratchet: amzn.to/3EKyeAB
Milwaukee M18 Impact: amzn.to/3MpEpwG
Safety Glasses: amzn.to/3vGHGks
Pry Bars: amzn.to/3xOUiZq
Milwaukee 3/8" Ratchet: amzn.to/3MxYlgD
Headlamp: amzn.to/3rR9u4u
0:00 Introduction
1:09 Wheel Removal
2:56 Front Brake and Suspension Removal
8:45 Rear Brake and Suspension Removal
13:24 Exhaust Removal
18:43 Dropping the Rear Subframe

[@tompeterson3210]

I’m glad you didn’t edit out the salty language. It made a realistic video. What mechanic wouldn’t talk like that doing that job.

[@machineryandtools6214]

Brings me back to my e30 days. As I'm not longer into the BMW scene I do remember all the BMW "things" that they loved to do.

[@1234mikechris]

I have to say well done on working on a 635csi, I used to work on all German cars + I owned 635csi. I did a lot work on my 6 serres engine rebuild ,gearbox ,diff & all the electrics & all the bushes. With all the BMW'S I've had the 635csi was my favourite but it was not cheap to keep there was all ways something else. I know the BMW very well especially the e21 all way to e71. I know the short cuts to your car, it wasn't necessary to remove the subframe to remove & fit the brushes. This comes with experience but very well done 👏 MJ

[@mariemotors]

Thank you. On a car with such a simple rear geometry, it’s easier to me to drop the entire rear so I can get the arms and subframe itself onto the press, plus cleaning up and repainting all of the parts, welding in camber and toe plates, etc. 👍🏻

[@The_OG_Chad]

In hopes of helping other later viewers, BMW in their "wisdom" intended that you remove that hard to reach nut on the upper rear shocks by removing the rear seats and accessing it with a socket and extension through a hole in the rear bulkhead. e24 rear seats are super easy to remove. e12 / e23 / e28 a bit harder and bulky to handle but definitely easier than crawling into the trunk and being a contortionist. Not sure on other models.

[@amadafaka]

Just starting binging the series and enjoying the commentary. Keep up the good work.

[@leecallaghan2202]

Well done Abby (and the timely intervention from Brandon). That’s a lot of work for a single day and all without a ramp and proper lights. No one could realistically drop a rear subframe on these cars all on their own. They engineered them to last but didn’t really spend time on lightening the frame much. The bigger the better! Presumably you will replace all the hubs too so you are not relying on decades old spindles and hubs. But that’s an area where aftermarket won’t make sense. 2 jobs I would cover; Drop the petrol tank while the subframe is out the way, treat the floor and blast the tank and check the middle weld seal. The other one is the gearbox gear change mechanism. It’s made of hundreds of small parts but which ones if they were renewed make the most difference to the change effectiveness? No one has really covered that properly yet on these cars. The brake hydraulic diaphragm rubber will probably split when you have put the new brakes and discs on as the rubber inside will be harder from age than it should and when it comes up against proper new brake pressure it won’t take it and blow out. Then your fluid will just suddenly drop out! So think about a bit of preventative maintenance here to avoid a future breakdown. The set up you have is exactly what most owners have access to- so it’s the more valuable for that reason. Parking too close to an object then stripping the suspension is something we all likely have done one way or another. Happy Holidays!

[@AMMA-we3zz]

To remove the rotor holding bolt, place a large socket over it and hammer it hard a few times. This will break the rust. Now, Spray penetrating fluid like PB blaster or Kroil and let it set for a few minutes. Insert the Allen wrench and tap it with a hammer like you did and it will come out. If it gets stripped, just drill the bolt head until it breaks off as a last resort. Always use new ones and either apply anti seize on the threads or even better, wrap the threads with Teflon tape. Another piece of advice, always use Teflon tape on the brake bleeding screws and they’ll never freeze.

[@vanceantonowicz1317]

Watching you do all this makes me want to get ahold of an e24 and dig into it....I guess I'm as nuts as you are!!!

[@christopherbennett1350]

I have been watching and really enjoying this. I’m currently working on a L6 that I bought about 6 yrs ago. I did a lot of work the car runs beautiful really. Just the normal old age issues of everything else we are currently in the process (my sons and I) of working on the interior. Unfortunately couldn’t save the dash I’m really in need of finding a new dash vent piece. Has been pretty hard. None the less great build. I’m thinking of starting a you tube dedicated to it myself.

[@projectv12bmw66]

Easiest way I've found to deal with a stuck wheel is to swing another wheel/tire and hit the outer edge of the wheel to be removed. It works every time...just don't hit the car.

[@clevehylton6493]

I have the same E24 and the same color also great job keep up the good work I got lucky when i purchase mine the owner took a great care of his car

[@Retrobeemer]

Such a solid example. Just about to fit Bilstein B8's and -45mm Eibach to my 535i. Turner do a pretty decent ECU chip for the M30 which improves low end and makes it a little more responsive. Well worth fitting although the added power claims are nonsense. Anyway, happy Christmas from the UK.

[@matsedin3727]

Great video! Thanks! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@MrBlaadieblaa]

Great video! @10:17, the idea is that you get to the bolts holding the rear shockmount from insde the cabin. Remove the rear shelve (and speakers if any) and reach down with an extension. Really quite easy (I did it the way you did it btw before I figured that out:))

[@diegodgar]

good job. I look forward to the next video

[@scottanderson1791]

Profanity...I like it. Keep it up!

[@jwester7009]

I really like your content as it is now

[@BMWEcsi]

Great! content pulling the bits off the old girl and a great therapy for spider fobia ? .. lol . Looking forward to your next adventure on this E24 project. Greetings and best wishes to you and the helper for 2022 From 🥝New Zealand.

[@mariemotors]

Thank you!!

[@jesusjohnston5294]

brake cleaner works da best you don't want flames around the gas tank

[@andref4989]

Great Job and very informative. You make it all look so easy, but it's just you know 100% what you're doing. I wish It could have a slice of your knowledge. But your vid help me get there. Yeah, it'll be good to know how to overhaul the AC. Anyway,, enjoy the holiday season!

[@tompeterson3210]

I’m glad you didn’t edit out the salty language. It made a realistic video What mechanic wouldn’t talk like that doing that job.

[@ItsTimePictures]

Continued terrific content. Keep the videos coming! That’s such a terrific car. I almost bought an E12 Sharknose earlier this year, but just missed out on the timing. Oh well. I already have a 500 SEC. 😉 Do I really need two old coupes?! it would make sense if my mechanical skills were at least close to yours! Also… the T-shirt rocks!

[@seanpaul3050]

Before jacking up car to remove road wheels. Loosen bolts so they are just finger tight. Roll car back and forth a few times. The weight of the car will free the seized contact points. Now jack up car and take wheels off without a fight.

[@michaeldebrou8767]

Really enjoy your videos, spiders freak me out too!

[@maticlee8535]

Dope video.. i have a '87 635 csi l6 and plan on doing alot of stuff your doing....plz put that part list up when you get to it....i have 2 e30s coupe and cabrio but the parts on the 635csi almost seem like a myth..lol

[@mariemotors]

Thanks! I feel the same trying to assemble some of these parts sometimes. It’s a bit of a parts bin crapshoot.

[@1983dmd]

Very interesting as always ! Thank you for taking the time to film and edit these informative videos. It helps me with my 1985 M635CSi. Do you have A/C ? If so, do you plan to overhaul it?

[@mariemotors]

I do have AC, but I’m not sure that it actually works. The few minutes I’ve played with it is making me think I need a new condenser, which should be a hoot to replace.

i wish i had a garage.

[@tiammax]

Hello, Very nice job Miss, Can you the WD40 for remouval the all parts, is + easy... Good continuation Miss

[@bavariansharks7149]

👍

[@Lamerguezerie]

I wish you good luck. The car is worth it and such a good condition overall. Worried about your wheels having a 2007 date code? Mine are from th 1990s 🤣 Michelin tyres, they basically aren't cracked at all.... that's quality

[@powerman1955]

I'm going to assume that the spider gas chamber application did the job as I heard no further screaming and cussing of arachnids. I'm also going to assume that you intend to replace all of the suspension bushings, have you decided on what composition (rubber, polyethylene) or brand you will use? Love to watch you work by the way, you seem to have quite a bit of experience, thanks for sharing!

[@mariemotors]

Thanks! Spiders were displaced, thankfully. I did not find any dead spiders either, so I’m hoping they fled to safer pastures (i.e. not my car). I am sticking with OEM rubber for all of the bushings and mounts. It is a comfy street cruiser, so OEM seemed like the right choice.

[@paulgreiner9468]

Are you keeping stock height ? Dropping if so you how much, they do look great dropped a 1” or so !! But wow a lot of work

[@mariemotors]

Thanks! Definitely a lot of work (especially without a lift). The springs should get me just over an inch of drop, I’ll be happy to get those on the car.

[@OaksCU1]

That exhaust system had quite a story to tell! Also, where can I buy that Christmas tree t-shirt?

[@mariemotors]

I bought a mystery pack of 3 t-shirts from Blipshift and this shirt was part of the pack. Definitely a wardrobe staple around the holidays.

[@JeffCrowell11]

Great job Abby. Maybe this is a basic question, but why did you feel it necessary to drop the front and rear suspension?

[@mariemotors]

Thank you! All of the shocks and bushings are very very worn and need replacing, so I’m overhauling the entire thing and making the entire suspension and steering system as new as possible.

[@clevehylton6493]

I have BC r I don't know if you want to use call over one years

[@clevehylton6493]

I have BC suspension on my E24, Are you planning to install Factory suspension

[@darrensenerat8525]

What happened at 7:40-8:00 the whole thing came out with no explanation of what you did to get there?

[@mariemotors]

There are 3 nuts on the top and 3 bolts on the very bottom holding in the strut assembly. I just removed those and then pulled it out.

[@blaster17363]

I need that shirt

[@zshadows]

Got into a slightly rusty E39 that turned out to be a lot more rusty than it appeared. Had a jack stand lunch through the mount point and fold the underlying support. Jealous of your Cali car.