BMW E30 Rear Trailing Arm Reinforcement | Learning To Weld With Flux Core | 002

BMW E30 Rear Trailing Arm Reinforcement | Learning To Weld With Flux Core | 002
In this part 2 E30 project video, I strip down and reinforce E30 rear trailing arms by making my own plates, cutting some 3-5mm steel to shape and welding it in. Followed by a lick of epoxy primer paint to prevent future rust.
I share with you my first ever attempt at MIG flux core welding, and while not pretty, I’m pleased that the metal is fully welded together.
Here are the tools I used in the video:
Epoxy Primer Spray Paint: ebay.us/WobtXE
Goxawee die grinder rotary tool: ebay.us/qYyEoZ
MIG Welder: ebay.us/UQEyyv
Flux Core Welding Wire: ebay.us/rFnyKm
Auto-Dimming Welding Mask: ebay.us/flpGnn
Welding Gloves: ebay.us/3FKNjM
Wire Brush: ebay.us/VjE0ns
Parkside Angle Grinder: ebay.us/iGzTwd
Cutting Discs: ebay.us/WWSjWz
Flap Disc: ebay.us/5fDiZd
Bench Grinder: ebay.us/v51tzY
As mentioned in the video, if I were to do this again I would simply buy these E30 Rear Trailing Arm Weld-In Reinforcement Plates instead of making my own. It took far longer than I anticipated: ebay.us/9731ZH
I picked these E30 disc brake rear arms up on eBay and as I’m planning to do the whole 5-lug swap down the line, figured it was a good time to get them refurbished and reinforced ready to bolt up rather than letting it hold me up at a later date.
I’ve decided to focus on the E30’s suspension as a starting point as I’ve got some lovely new coilovers that arrived in the post and I’m very excited to get them installed. I’ve never had coilovers on a car before.
Follow along with my E30 rear trailing arm reinforcement process and hopefully, it will help those who are wanting to do their own DIY style.
This is another small step forward on my big E30 build project where I’m trying to create my dream non-M BMW E30 starting from a very tatty 316i.
If you’ve got any helpful tips or advice on how I can improve my welding skills then please let me know in the comments. I’ve got a fair amount of welding to do for this E30 project car, so I’ve got to learn quick.
For more how-to guides and project cars and bikes, make sure to check out our blog: www.spannerras...
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[@franklicata175]

Good job on these trailing arms mate!

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers! :D

[@Flordeh]

I was able to find some e36 ti training worked out well

[@SPANNERRASH]

Nice, are these effectively the same as the E30 disc ones or do they differ? Can't quite remember. 🤔

[@Flordeh]

For the most part, different spacing for wheel choices but 5 bolt

[@clayp.e30_v86]

Thanks for this. I've been watching some of your videos and enjoying your resto on your e30. I'm currently building my v8 swap and getting it ready to see the road for the first time in 4 years I'm going to be dropping my fuel tank soon qnd the rear beam will be my next victim so I'll reinforce my trailing arms while I'm there Cheers for the link mate I'll go ahead and buy that 👍 Keep up the good work 👏 My current car was a supercharged m52b28 before I pulled it all out to go v8 (which I'll be supercharging one day in thr near future) and my last e30 gave me 5 years of trouble free motoring after I did the m52b28 swap on her. Thanks again Ant 😎

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers Ant, really glad you're finding my vids useful. :) V8 swap sounds amazing, the same thought crossed my mind with this build, but I decided to rein myself in a bit, as it's the first thing like this I've ever attempted I ended up playing it a bit safer. I suspect the V8 with a supercharger will be an absolute missile, it'll be hilarious fun to rip. Hope the swap goes smooth for you mate.

[@clayp.e30_v86]

@@SPANNERRASH Likewise with your build man. You'll love it. A decent m52 in a well set up e30 makes for a very fun car indeed 😎😎 I drove mine the other day for the first time in 4 years and the first time as a v8 and it was certainly an eye opener 😳 😂 The things we do ay 🙈😂 Only up the street and back and jesus

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Welding has definitely improved over time mate, good work

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks man 😃 yeah I reckon I've come on a long way too! Way more confident now, but still a lot to learn.

[@TheNorthernmunky]

Producing good results mate, will be a very tidy job by time you’ve finished 👍🏼

[@SPANNERRASH]

Cheers, I certainly hope so! I'll get there in the end. 👍

[@johnoshea6225]

Are these trailing arms manufactured from cast steel or cast iron?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Mostly pressed steel I believe. They're hollow

[@guattodaddo]

Hi, I’m doing a similar project too! Can I ask you where did you got those trailing arms? I knew there are two sets, one with drums and the other with discs, but I can’t find them! They were mounted on the M3 models, that’s for sure, but what others?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi there, the disc rear arms came on the higher-spec models of BMW E30 such as the 325I and the 318is. Most base spec 4-cylinder cars came with drums like mine did unfortunately. They are interchangeable though so if you keep your eye's peeled on Ebay or FB marketplace they do come up. Getting more expensive to buy though as lots of people want to make this upgrade. Hope that helps!

[@guattodaddo]

@@SPANNERRASH Thanks a lot man !

[@markbrown1609]

well done. did you use high end welder or cheapo harbor freight like what I have?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Mark, I was using a very cheap "Wolfweld" MIG welder, and fluxcore wire to do this. I think it worked out quite well despite my lack of welding experience. Hope that helps.

[@becomematrix]

It will def aid in rigidity as the e30 and z’s have weak bodies

[@SPANNERRASH]

100%, mine might be a bit overkill for what I'm doing with the car though! :)

[@becomematrix]

@@SPANNERRASH oh well, just enjoying the project is good too I suppose:-)

[@jasper6004]

Not fixing the rust hole on the spring perch?

[@SPANNERRASH]

I dont think it has any impact, the perch is solid. The hole is mostly my fault for being too heavy handed with the angle grinder tbh. If you follow along with the series you will see its hidden when I add rear coil overs too. Out of sight, out of mind 🤣