BMW Z3 Rear Axel and Suspension Rebuild Part 1

[@PompeyMatt17]

Steve, this is where you are a gift from god...everything you are doing is what was picked up in my last MoT...I'll be watching this again and again ready for work in the spring (I have to work on cars outside)...

[@hugoalfa75]

Another excellent video! All camera shots are super clear and the audio is top level too! Also great to see you show in depth how to work on the manual parking brakes. I agree, they are indeed a pain to work on.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, I try to make it as good as possible

[@Conservator.]

21:24 ‘if you don’t tape it of course because when you tape it, it takes a lot longer’. I’ve heard other KZbinrs say the same. And that’s even without the post processing. Thank you very much for making these videos! 🙏

[@AlanJones-lu7my]

Many many thanks for doing these videos the Z3, rear axel rebuild. Plus the video is well put together with good sound and picture quality. I'm hoping to do this job on my car and it has given me many pointers and great advice.

[@juanpretorius4322]

Brilliant ! ....Love your videos . Well filmed and very good instructions . Please make more !

[@D3Sshooter]

TXS for the comments

[@ИванКарбасов]

Сколько вас смотрю, всегда вижу работу выполненную очень качественно, я думаю с таким подходом эта BMW будет как новая после вашего ремонта

[@robertmaddock1813]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge, I always enjoy watching and learning more.

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure!

[@e30_lad_ireland]

You are truly an inspiration for the job that I certainly would like to repeat but on my own Z3! Well done and thanks for sharing this with all of us! 🙏🏻

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you

[@mikedobbels3599]

Hoi,leuk om weer eens te zien,rij zelf met Z3. Wel redelijk wat roest,wat ik altijd doe is wat mazout met afgedraaide olie mengen en dan met lucht spuit overal tussen blazen en de roest blijft zeker weg. Mijn vader dit het vroeger altijd in de garage en alles blijft lekker vettig en kost niets,ik doe al er mijn autos mee. Groeten Mike.

[@D3Sshooter]

Bedankt, ja ik ken dat ... Lang geleden deed men dat ook in het leger... mazouteren noemde men dat. wel niet zo goed voor de rubbers maar geen roest , dat is zeker

[@geofham8332]

Hi Steve, your channel, your car, YOUR WAY!! Many thanks all great info. From Nr Liverpool UK.

[@kent570253]

You have such a great hoist setup, you should upgrade your tools, it would make your job easier. You already work really well, good tools would make it better. Good video, subscribed.

[@Darryl603]

Looking good so far! Class A workmanship!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks Darryl

[@milk4]

I have a mediocre Dutch. (I can't speak it with the correct accent, so I try to avoid it.) So, it always makes me smile when you say or write things in a "weird" way. In this case, I think you wrote axel, because of axiaal. But it should be axle. Another one is when you say "up", like "put up" instead of "put on" for example. (I always had issues with op/aan/etc.) Not trying to be mean, it just makes me smile:) Thanks for the videos!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, lets say that those words are the salt and pepper....lol

[@e9999qwe]

Interesting and nice video, as usual. It is pleasing to see a well organized step by step demo. And strangely, it is always much nicer to see somebody else deal with odd locations and rusty bolts than to do it oneself... :) I was also pleasantly surprised to see your chrome swivel joint withstand the air impact wrench. Was expecting that one to explode. Probably would have if you had to really reef hard on those bolts. There are some beefier swivels for impact jobs. [edit: typos]

[@garymallard4699]

Yes there are proper " Impact " universals....well worth buying...when those other universals spin loose they go flying!!...

[@notajp]

Tho they are a bit pricey, the swivel impact sockets are the best option.

[@garymallard4699]

@@notajp I bought mine 20 years ago...pretty cheap actually...and they are still working...i think they were under $30 maybe $20 for both?? 3/8" & 1/2" sizes.. ( that is the size of impact or extension )..... Swivels are double that or 3 times the price.... And i can use any size Impact socket ...so more versatile...metric or standard

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, the swivel is always my last resort... and this one is of good quality ( Beta)...

[@D3Sshooter]

@@garymallard4699 Indeed and that is why I never use to much torque and stay away from the zone as you could see....

[@Ureche79]

I have a Z3 Coupe too. Great videos you have put together, I feel like I want to ship my car to you to have it properly done. Each angle and details., fantastic job !!!

[@vayabroder729]

You’re doing a great job, Steve. Your way! 👍😉

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

Steve, in the US they use this rust remover called 'Evaporust', it is dip and works best in overnight application. It may be sold under the same or different label in Belgium. The good thing is it can be used over again a couple of times untill the chemical gets weak.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, yes I have seen that product here as well... I have used it before, but I like the soft blasting

[@philhart3878]

Brillant video sir. Will help tremendously when I get to my old Z3.

[@sanolivo6867]

I replace every bushing on my Z3. good thing you have a lift I did my in the garage floor. it was a good winter project.

[@melvinalfredo20]

Enjoyed every bit of information you shared... Very nice work...

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dauletramazanov4745]

Awesome video 👍👍👍 hello from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 I love my z3 😍

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you for the comments.

[@christhjian9923]

Great work, the way you got the pushes out is really helpful if one shouldn't have an access to press. It's a little unusual seeing you work on a newer car, but really enjoying it.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for that! Well new , its 21 years old. And as not so many are build and they are in high demand , I decided to get my hands on this one.

[@christhjian9923]

Yeah that's true it has years on it already. Still, I think electronic fuel injection marked quite a new era with cars in general - more sensors, more control units, more comfort accessories and more electronics overall. And the main principles have not changed so that's why I call most cars from the1990s and onwards "newer", even if they are not. And your other cars are really old by comparsion. But I think it is a pretty cool car and I am going to follow the series for sure!

[@sportshatch]

Hi Steve, I have a similar Z3 that I carried out the same work that you are doing. My car had a similar amount of rust. One area you need to check is behind the sills. The sills are just covers that unbolt to reveal a box section construction. My car had quite a bit of rust in this area. I cleaned it all off and used POR15 over the entire area.. Great videos as always. Thanks.

[@D3Sshooter]

Indeed , that is something I still need to do. Good tip and reminder. Something I will certainly check. What do you have the Coupe 2.8 ?

[@vinaass]

Top notch video! You are the best!

[@D3Sshooter]

Wow, thanks!

[@TanveerAhmed-gl5jk]

Nice video sir. Like the saying The right way the wrong way and my way . Briliant 👍👍👍

[@D3Sshooter]

Glad you liked it

[@m.b.smoshitoa8325]

Hahaha Flemish you are so funny in making you videos.And really you take your time. " Guys let me drop off this it is very heavy"😆. Did you just set a camera to make that part.that is acting, like actors.😂 Your addicted follower Moshitoa . South Africa

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha Moshitoa my favourite subscriber . I always make fun and jokes in life no matter what I need to do...

[@Gord19]

Great work thanks for posting. Enjoy your content !

[@D3Sshooter]

Thank you , I try yo make it interesting

[@richardporter6201]

I knew exactly what the fire was about. That is how I got the rubber bushings out of my TR6 rear suspension.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, good old tricks... A TR6, I used to have a PI version several years ago... what is yours ?

[@richardporter6201]

@@D3Sshooter 76 carburetor, would have loved to have PI but never sold in US. Currently rebuilding the front suspension, quite an adventure.

[@brianparkinson1594]

A thorough job as always!

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@markdaugherty6378]

Thanks for sharing, keep them coming

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments,

[@karlbogren2769]

To prevent the plastic clips from breaking, just apply a little heat with a heat gun.

[@sonyhk3824]

Wonderful, you do it fantastic 👌

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks

[@ashlysimon22]

This might be a silly question, but is it possibly to remove the drive shaft without removing the rear shock? I've cross threaded the bolt housing for the lower shock bolt when I installed coilovers, I just fully sent it with the impact 😅 but now my abs/acs light wont go away, I know it's the rings on the drive shaft as I've replaced every other abs sensors, front wheel bearing with the rings and the pump with no success Thanks

[@scattkiwiman]

nice work ! For not too big parts such as trailing arms I use electrolysis to remove rust, works like a charm and you don't remove any good material

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the info! I have a blaster , so that is what I use... Just because i have one... else I would also do what you say

[@scattkiwiman]

@@D3Sshooter yes the blaster works faster :-)

[@armenianman5826]

hello, thank you for your Great work. at 22:30 how much the torque nm I should tight those bolts?

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, I will need to check as it has been some time ago

[@armenianman5826]

@@D3Sshooter if you please..

[@armenianman5826]

@@D3Sshooter please..

[@tripswtrav]

You already have the rear diferential out so it was easy to get the axle shaft out. So how do we accomplish this is we aren't taking the diff out? That would be helpful to know

[@PhG1961]

Pittig werkje ! Prachtige wagen btw.

[@D3Sshooter]

Ja daar is wel wat werk aan, 21 jaar oud.. Maar een collectors item aan het worden , daar er maar een goede 74 ooit zijn gemaakt in dit kleur en met zonnedak. In totaal werden er 7641 coupe's gemaakt (2.8Ltr 6L). Ik heb deze op een gewone Be plaat staan en ga dat zou houden... Die gaat in de opslag en van tijd tot tijd eens mee rijden bij droog weer. Zolang we nog mogen met deze oudere auto's rijden wnat dat wordt ook een probleem binnenkort. En voor de rest, wel ja ik heb graag dat mijn auto in order is. Groeten

[@PhG1961]

@@D3Sshooter Groot gelijk. Wat mij ook een beetje bezig houdt... "mogen rijden..." met deze oudere auto's. Er zijn juweeltjes te vinden, maar wat gaat ons dat kosten om er mee te "mogen" rijden.... en ombouwen/aanpassen mag al in de meeste gevallen niet eens.

[@allenadams1487]

Thank you

[@GracyMantoan]

Nice job! I wonder what’s going on with Rusty...

[@stegradon7827]

Nice job, very informative.

[@iamrichrocker]

Steve..could you do an episode on the MOT process/ was amazed they would inspect the bushing in the differential..

[@PatHaskell]

No kidding, and how would having a stiffer bushing would fail!?!?!🤪

[@S7midnight]

The stiffer bushings are good for the racetrack, but not so good for the street because, depending on the brand they can be much less durable (not necessarily), but the worst problem is that they can transfer the sound from the diff to the car and that would be a disaster

[@D3Sshooter]

It was the surface rust and the rear axel play ( due to that ripped bushing). They lift the car slightly so that the wheel still touch the ground and then move the metal plates under wheels in all kind of directions, while they watch all the parts for play.

[@D3Sshooter]

@@PatHaskell , That Pat is pure bureaucracy....ridicules but a fact. They claim that its a modification to the suspension characteristics of the car and as such not authorised as the car is no longer conform the manufactures specification. You can get an exception, based on a full evaluation report.... but that is expensive and not worth the effort, way to much paper work.

[@D3Sshooter]

@@S7midnight , Indeed

[@XPbIM3]

Upgrading diff mount bolts to studs is na insane improvement. Can't express how I hate bolting diff to subframe on e30 with stock bolts...they are not even tapered at end!!

[@D3Sshooter]

I know the feeling, txs for the comments

[@jonchampion9686]

Steve, you guys use road salt in Belgium? Not sure how much it snows there. Curious...

[@D3Sshooter]

Yep, as you can see on the parts, it really eats away the metal...

[@BeetleJuice1980]

amazing project! can we remove the whole thing without removing first the suspension arms?

[@D3Sshooter]

yes you can

[@drewpierce2273]

Hopefully it all goes back in a lot easier than it was removing it. At least the parts will be nice and clean.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, Typical it does go easier and more fun

[@likits1999]

Hello there. What you're doing there is not only an improvement but a labor of love for that Z3. Great job! Are the trailing arm bushings on the Z3s, the ones that cause the interior edge of the rear tires to wear unevenly?

[@didierdlx448]

Very complicated parking brake system, why they don’t use the disk , like so many cars ! A question about you : what was your job , what did you study? Thanks for this good video

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, that is German design lol... My job as I still work full time is a electronics design engineer, I did study computer science (master)

[@paulfanning7059]

Hi Steve, I have been curious as I watch this series if it is usual to say “zee” rather than “zed” in Belgium? Is that the Flemish usage?

[@D3Sshooter]

hahaha, yep zee zee 3 or zed zed 3... I think zed is UK and zee US or ?

[@willbennett7508]

Where do you get all the information for your cars?

[@D3Sshooter]

Wel most is common sense , tech details in manuals and or google. There are plenty of sources nut always check more then one. I seldom use a forum as there is to much chatter and incorrect information

[@m.b.smoshitoa8325]

@@D3Sshooter hey, I also use to wonder where does this old man get this. You will wonder how does he manage to set cameras, talk , and work all by himself. Hey this man is not ordinary shem. Since I knew this channel I don't miss a single video

[@D3Sshooter]

@@m.b.smoshitoa8325 , haha you are one of my favourite subscribers... Thanks for watching

[@General813]

Hi Steve i changed the shock absorbers and bumpers on mine this year, they are not expensive. The shock absorbers are certainly no longer good after more than 20 years. Do you have the M chassis? Great video :))

[@D3Sshooter]

That is on the list indeed. Thanks for the comments..

[@General813]

@@D3Sshooter Did you have the M chassis?

[@tedohio3038]

Any problems getting parts?

[@shauntvr4312]

Nice video thanks

[@aytonbob]

That rubbery stuff is seam sealer to stop the ingress of water.

[@D3Sshooter]

Yep and its the worse thing every applied to a car, when it is penetrated water get inside and is captured... that is where it rusts, A nightmare as you don't see it before its to late. Have a look on the next video that is coming out , you will see what I mean

[@o0lunchboxxx0o91]

Wish I could find sone one like you but with a m z3 tho alot of it is the same process

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments

[@Dildology]

Why not reinforce the frame And sway bar?

[@garymallard4699]

I would suggest removing those inner fenders...even just to LOOK!! your all apart and alot easier to paint or clean up anything hidden?? Sounds like your MOT is too strict?? Surface rust is NORMAL...LOL

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks, yes that is the plan...

[@garymallard4699]

@@D3Sshooter Ok..did i misunderstand you in your video??

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Are you going to re-attach the left and right swing arms to the rear axle sub-assembly (and center diff) before putting it back into the car or after? Having the whole thing together would be heavier, but re-attaching the arms would be easier when it is off the car... no real winner there. Cheers,

[@D3Sshooter]

Very good point, I was considering to do the complete rebuild outside the car and then mount the complete rear. But as I am in my own that will be to heavy, so it will be piece by piece. Good point

[@baronburgamot243]

Good video but a little confused why you went through the nonsense of removing the drum brake shoes and cable from the hub end and not from the hand brake lever end which is about 100% easier. Also removing the trailing arms from the axel on the car even though you're removing the whole axel anyway is kinda silly. Juat drop the ENTIRE axel. It's brake lines and 6 bolts. I'm confused why you made extra work for yourself lol.

[@D3Sshooter]

Thanks for the comments, it was about the weight ...

[@baronburgamot243]

@@D3Sshooter ah yes, makes sense it is a bit of a jump in one peice. Definitely a two person job.

[@H0t.5tuff]

brilliant, thank you for the helpful vids

[@D3Sshooter]

My pleasure