BMW E30 Rear Subframe Assembly RESTORATION | BMW E30 325i Sport Restoration E4 S1

In episode 4 of the BMW E30 325i Sport restoration, I restore the rear subframe along with a few things attached to it.
This one really put me to the test. Not only the project in hand but filming it also. Apologises for the dark shots every now and again. It started with battling the old rusty parts off. Lots of tapping and prying was involved. And once it was all off, it was still a nightmare to get apart. I had to get help from friends on several occasions during the process.
Once everything was apart and degreased, I set about pushing the bearing and bushes out. This was stressful, even with a press. Once out, I blasted all of the pieces I was going to restore even the nuts and bolts. The subframe itself and the control arms were given to a friend to take to work and blast using professional blasters. Made my life a lot easier considering I couldn't fit the subframe into my homemade cabinet.
Once everything was free from rust and paint I polished the nuts, bolts and other small pieces and started the long process of zinc electroplating them. This would take me around three days in total, on, off plating when I had time. Whilst I was waiting for things to plate and dry, I realized I had forgotten about the sway bar and quickly de-rusted it with the Onyx 320. I then masked everything ready for paint.
Firstly a coat of etching was added, then high-build primer. That was then sanded back with 500/600 grit sanding pads and Quarts Deep Black (The deepest black I know of) was added. Finally, Quartz lacquer to seal everything in, and make them shine. Once eve had dried it was time to carefully press in the new bushes and bearings. This was achieved by doing the opposite of the removal.
Everything was then put back where it came from restored or new and the restoration was complete. As I said in the video with the car being just a shell, no differential in and fresh springs, shocks, bushings, drop links etc... It will take some time for everything to settle down to the correct ride height.
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Tools & equpitment used:
Quartz Lacquer - goo.gl/8PTVKM
Base Coat Paint - goo.gl/mWhufG
Rust Remover - goo.gl/13gopW
Moldex Full Face Mask - goo.gl/NNYGrv
FGL 5 Spray gun - goo.gl/Acg5rd
A.N.I. R150-T Mini Spray gun - goo.gl/cHTJS2
Colad Washable Overalls - goo.gl/3Css9E
Colad Mixing Cups - goo.gl/8DYmE8
Colad TurboMix Sticks - goo.gl/cYZfks
Colad Synthetic Paint Strainers - goo.gl/H79ZgL
Steel wire bits - geni.us/keyaD
Rotary Tool - geni.us/HGed
Concentrate Degreaser - geni.us/yUn9
Mannesmann Socket Set - geni.us/HCDZ
Thanks for watching!
- Disclaimer: I am no professional. I am completely self-taught and would appreciate any feedback, advice or constructive criticism.
I don't add music to these videos so that you can choose to listen to what you like if you would like to.
#BMW #E30 #Restoration
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[@RestoreIt]

Finally, this one is finished. This was a really big undertaking for me as I've never done this before. I got there in the end, with a little help from my friends and smudge the boss. It was a bit rushed towards the end as you can kind of tell... *Not a lot left of those* and any other mistakes I've made :D It's been a long two weeks. I'll be taking a short break from the E30 to get some other items restored. Stay tuned for next weeks video!

[@type2523]

Restore It I love the BMW related videos !

[@type2523]

Restore It I love the BMW related videos !

[@type2523]

Restore It love the BMW videos !

[@nazarp6011]

Not the biggest BMW fan, but love your restoration videos of that car! I am very interested in the older car restorations. Maybe when you finish with BMW you can do other cars (American or Japanese).

[@pekkasaarinen2902]

The boss seemed quite typical: 'I'm just grooming myself, while you do all the work' type. 😁

[@iraqafghanistanmarine6905]

Dude, seriously, EYE PROTECTION!!! You can’t see you can’t work. I admire your tenacity and willingness to tackle big projects. I was the same way. The only way to learn is to just do it yourself. You will learn what works and what doesn’t. It is an exciting journey, especially when all the hard work pays off👍😉

[@shadowzedge5793]

That was rather ingenious using the threaded rod, nut, and stack of washers to remove those bushings!! Greetings from the USA 🇺🇸

[@playlistforkids]

love this series....I did this for my E30 months ago and kinda burned out after finishing....this is a lot of work for one person. Congrats.

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks man and congrats on finishing yours.

[@stevewilson6390]

When it's completed and you are rich and famous dont ever even think of selling it . Keep it and pass it on to your future family as a legacy . They will be lucky enough to be able to see your hard work and endeavour.

[@fz9052]

Your technique removing the hub flanges is bloody brilliant :-) Good stuff dude!

[@CookRacingUK]

Love these videos! Bring back some bad memories of the subframe... but good to see how the rear hubs aren't too hard. Great tips.

[@briangreen6602]

Lot of work to everything yourself , including all the de-rusting and painting - well done on a great result.

[@meinkopf3855]

I'm eager to see this BMW finished.

[@filipkober]

What a performance! Great job! However, it is very important to read my comments below for Your safety. You mustn't tighten bolt while car body is lifted! You should fill it with fluids and even bags with sand with directly discribed weight. Or you can use threaded suspension to set right hieight wile lifted. You have sanded every bushing's socket. Sockets do not keep their required dimension after this. You have used old nuts, which should be salvaged. They aren't round but flattened.

The BMW E30 is still my favorite German car.

[@eipoc27]

Best video i've seen today

[@RIOHOTRIO]

SUPER !!! Great job !!!

[@MrHayabusa54]

Impossible is done immediately, miracles take longer👍🇩🇪

[@Rich77UK]

I so wish id kept some of my old cars for later resteration.

[@Drury96]

4:45 ‘ not a lot them of those’ lol

[@RestoreIt]

Oh man... Can you tell I had to rush this out. Haha. Not a lot left of those*

[@na57y]

very nice job man! Really like your work and progress! But I dont understand why you didnt change drum break into disc break, I think it should be better. I appreciate you

[@Ragyu135i]

You are the best bro

[@RestoreIt]

Thank, man!

[@DuffyF56]

Can you say bushing windup? You can't do final tightening of attachment bolts for suspension joints with bushings with no weight on the suspension. Loosen all the bushing bolts and retighten/ torque with weight on the wheels.

[@Sanya_Spray]

Всё круто!!! Молодцы! Но почему в первую очередь кузов не подготавливаете? Логичнее было бы сначала кузов привести к идеальному состоянию и уже тогда цеплять к нему все агрегаты и элементы подвески!

[@antonx8660]

Аналогичный вопрос

[@roosh01]

Одно стопорное кольцо не до конца защелкнулось на подшипнике!

[@sanchopancho2912]

Уже был ему такой вопрос. Он так решил сразу все востонавить что сам может. А кузов профи будут делать. А запчасти чтоб не терялись назад прикручивает. Увлекся и до кузова не доходит пока.

[@thecaptain5026]

Had multiple e30's. But now, they're crazy expensive. Don't ever part with it when it's all shiny!

[@rubenrodriguezmartinez5594]

Very very nice !!! 👍

[@e36racer44]

Handbrake shoes and mechanism are the devils work 😂😂

[@АндрейЗорков-и3и]

Молодец. Хорошая работа.

[@zhwilson2437]

Very good job

[@rabnawazkhan1837]

Great job with amazing details, I'm doing exactly same rear axle refurb myself and was thinking of zinc plating and powder coating over for better corrosion resistance. Can u link setup for diy zinc plating and where u got your supplies.looking forward for more E30 videos

[@AutoMotivate]

good stuff man

[@arsenioarmenian7303]

hello, thank you for your great work. I have a question, when you install the rear shock at the bottom of the shock there is square washer, my question is at which side I should tight the bolt? thank you.

[@tomlantis8016]

4:04 the way the spring rolled away.

[@RestoreIt]

It was a sad moment. haha.

[@DanilSmile]

Car Mechanic Simulator 2020

[@rnzz8144]

very nice video

[@krautsalat5405]

I also did restore an E30 recently, which means I have done almost everything you have shown so far. I do love your work, but you did a few things wrong here. 1. You should have tightened the bolts that connect the sway bars to the subframe, when in a neutral position. Which means, when the frame is mounted to the car and the car isn't on jackstands anymore. This might be the reason, why the car didn't settle to a low position, but stayed that high after putting it on the ground again. 2. The way you did press the wheel hubs in it is surprising, that you did not burst the bearings. You have to press them in while supporting the inner ring of the wheel bearing 3. The way you removed the rubber bearings from the sway bars, you could have easily bent them (that is no joke at all...). Built yourself a tool that looks that way: www.e30.de/fotostory/f02187/f02187.htm Other than that: Great work as usual! Keep it up PS: Excuse my bad English, as I am German.

[@goodguy3803]

You are talking about the control arms, not sway bars.

[@_Hangman]

Love the work your doing I used to own a e30 325i sport myself about ten years ago. Best part is you just get on with the job your doing and don't talk crap like most youtubers do narrating everything. Got to ask, why bother using that bent disc guard though, surely I thought you'd of replaced that for a new one?

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Marc. I didn't change it for this video simple because I had already spent to much and wanted to try and save it. In hindsight I will be replacing it when I have everything back off fr chassis blasting.

[@alexs8710]

I hope you find some with a decent price. Was the reason why I left them as they were on my E34. Great work mate

[@johnnyclean8233]

Good job I guess! 😀👍

[@starabagraxD]

BOSS IS BEAUTIFULL!!

[@collinwhittaker9666]

Hi I love your video keep up the good work👍 Could I aske u what ABRASIVE-MEDIA u use in your sand blaster?

[@hannesgaminglp3487]

Nice car I love this car 😍😍😍😍 it's a real bmw m3 ??

[@RestoreIt]

Its a 325i sport M-Tech 1. I wish it was an m3! Haha.

[@elitara77]

I follow this series and people are asking you about the body. However you have already disassembled most of the car - why don't you replace the shell with another one in a better condition? Maybe just repaint it and job done..

[@leenevin8451]

surely the anti-roll bar would have suffered fatigue and not be as effective? best to replace no?

[@jth1987leb]

Do you remove the rust converter before painting?

[@autosport3081]

The underneath of this BMW also needs restoration,I hope you consider that for this project.

[@amrgamal4031]

i love you keep it up and make more big videos :D

[@何仁揚]

太厲害了!!!

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

Those are 5*120 hubs. And I don't think you're doing a 5 lug conversion. It happens to the best of us man. PS: Can you share what the watch time on this video is, after 72 hours.

[@RestoreIt]

Haha oh tell me about it. That's an odd request, if I remember I will:)

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

Restore It I have a channel. Did this very job, the video averaged 3 minutes. It was 10 minutes long.

[@ghazik3656]

damn your channel is good bro

[@vasilhristov6841]

Why not disassemble the entire car and restore each component individually like (Rear Subframe, Front Subframe, Engine ) without returning it to the car then repair the body from the rust, dents and hits. Then disassemble the interior clean it and not returning it to the car ) and then paint the body and on the final arranging the all components

[@RestoreIt]

I am doing just that. Look at my other videos. Literally i'm doing exatly what you said haha. I put these parts back on to get a rolling chassis

[@lilde66]

Comment 2 when you are going to remove the rust under the car?

[@edgarbarrera7464]

What wheel bearings and wheel hubs did you use ??

[@fargogemini694]

It didn’t look like the circlips were seated properly in the hubs. Please check

[@yosyp5905]

I don't understand... are the brakes discs or drum?

[@adizzmal]

6:45 Whoa. He restored his cat into a human.

[@قصيالطيب-ك3ت]

عاشت ايدك

[@bogdanpetrica4873]

19:25 can you tell me the recipe for screw treatment? And what steps should be followed?please

[@josuesamuel497]

That 38:38 video pass like 2 minutes danmm

[@mertkmrc6032]

Wow

[@zedix7160]

What about the interior of the arm ?

[@sidereus7]

6:57 Woah, is your thumb double-jointed?!

[@Matej_Strba]

Are you going to do engine restoration? :)

[@MsRazvan29]

Bravo Bravo auch mekanika 😍💪🤝🤝🤝❤❤❤❤❤❤✌

[@sohailjaned]

Good old fashion less talking & more action. This cars going to be sick when it's complete.

[@nazarp6011]

I understand that you will probably restore the body of the car eventually but to me it seems very odd to bolt in restored parts to still dirty and rusty body. Maybe should have restored the body first? Obviously I don't know your workflow and thought process but just a thought from an outsider.

[@justinavery9793]

I was thinking the same exact thing.

[@DaleDix]

He said in a previous video its just to keep them out of the way or something similar.

[@richie9777]

I suppose he has to keep moving the car about so it makes sense really

[@QuitProcrastinating]

Also after a day or two you still remember how everything is supposed to go back together. Imagine assembling a whole car from thousands of pieces some of which you touched last a year ago.

[@mtquibael1106]

I was just about to say the same thing..

[@dhc4ever]

A comment or 2. Is all this rust because of salted roads or did you recover this car from the English channel? Back off the handbrake shoe adjusters before you try to remove the disc, it makes it somewhat easier. You got a knuckle bar, good stuff. Anywhere you find rust on the mating surfaces of parts you dissemble, after cleaning treating or replacing, assemble with an anti seize in those spots, it will stop water ingress and rust and make disassembly easier next time. Good thinking on thr threaded bar bush removal, I think I'll steal that idea. Paint the inside of your bead blast cabinet white and instal a dust collection system. The paint improves the perceived lighting, the dust collection stops you inhaling smashed glass dust and allows us both to see what you're doing. KZbin has heaps on updating bead blasters. You are costing me money, Im now setup for zinc plating, just have to chase up the required stuff for the chromate finish. An 8 in bench grinder on a stand with wheels and a wire wheel on one side and a linisher belt on the other is a VERY good addition to your tool collection, really speeds up removing paint and rust and cleaning bolts etc. Keep up the good work. Cheers

[@bostedtap8399]

May be also due to being near or by the sea, but yes, typical for a car in the UK. Just the right conditions for rust, not to hot to dry moisture out, and not to cold to freeze moisture. Great video.

[@RestoreIt]

I believe salted roads and just England in general. I'll be taking the car to Spain before I finish. So it should last a lot longer over there. I really appreciate this comment dhc. Thames for the advice. Bench grinder is pretty much on its way. The sealy variable speed one. Zinc plating is super satisfying but can be tricky, good luck! :)

[@Alyxif]

Restore It Definetly get yourself a Scotch-Brite instead of sand paper (not for everything! but for edges and small parts). Painting the part with etch primer and high build primer just to sand it down with a paper seems a little bit counterproductive. :-)

[@DanteTheAbyssalBeing]

This is the condition of most cars on UK roads. It never stops raining here and the roads are salted pretty much all winter. His Bimmer is actually in pretty decent nick, I've seen worse on much newer cars.

[@horstszibulski19]

Wow, I also thought that this E30 spent some time under the seas... 8-o Drum brakes can really be a pain, I never coursed that much when working on other stuff compared to them... :-P

[@colinaskey9777]

Doing a job like that under those circumstances is without doubt extremely difficult,it's hard enough with a car lift,but on your back on the floor makes 10 times harder,you're to be commended,the job was first rate,well worthy of my 5 ☆ rating

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

That cat is clearly not afraid of anything. " Oh you're putting back up the sub-frame...yeah I'm not moving!"

[@RestoreIt]

She is so brave and care free. I kind of adopted her. She grew up in a loud house full of loud people.

[@raytrace2432]

This is absolutely normal behavior of cats, when they fell safe and and at home on some enviroment - to not afraid of anything and go and sit wherever their cat's soul desire. Shortly speaking, this cat is loved:-)

[@MRNVCDIY]

Great job. Nice restoration

[@mickea769]

Just love the sound of fast hammering

[@masallahsejtan3312]

And painting 🙂

[@sameerk3349]

Best restoration channel

[@Jake-ul5nl]

100%

[@grahamefreestone5309]

I totally agree Sameer.. 👍

[@elvinnovruzov5775]

5:15 that rusty cat also needs some restoration and repainting

[@vexedpixels]

I'd love to see a full restomodding on the E30, cleaning it up and building it how you want!

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

More E30 action

[@nazarp6011]

Agree. I think that the car would benefit a lot by upgrading few things. For example since he took the rear apart why not upgrade rear brakes to disk ones and maybe convert it to 5 lug nuts

[@digitalrailroader]

Nazar P. Actually the car already has rear disc brakes; what you saw being disassembled was the parking brake.

[@deathproofpony]

Proper cat placement is vital to the project.

[@grahamefreestone5309]

Around the 14:10 mark you're using a treaded bar to remove the bushes. Slide on a ratchet spanner first. It's so much quicker. You're doing a fantastic job of everything. 👍🇬🇧

[@SalandFindles]

+Big Ben Bushings**

[@grahamefreestone5309]

@@SalandFindles ... Lol. I did type in bushings, but it looks like I'm a victim of corrective spelling. I suppose you could use the threaded bar to take bushes out as well... ;-)

[@serenity6415]

@@grahamefreestone5309 *snicker* Is that like "ribbed"? hehehe.. There are so many innuendos in tools and mechanics, and I've watched so many of these lately, that my dirty mind is on high alert now.

[@grahamefreestone5309]

@@serenity6415 .. Nothing wrong with a tool innuendo.. I'm sure there's more to come.. ;-)

[@serenity6415]

@@grahamefreestone5309 Baaahahaa.. I won't even type my response to that. I'll just behave myself and go watch him work with his 8" bench grinder.

[@WelcomeToTheMadness]

I'm a 100% certain your backing plates are on backwards. As you covered the section that would bolt up your calipers.

[@RestoreIt]

I'll look into this and make sure all is well. I'll change it over when I have the car blasted and everything back off if not. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@LucaVerciani]

Nice spottet. You are correct.

[@douglasmorrison9098]

Anybody Who likes cats cant be all bad Myself I love kitties And small dogs They can be kept safe in the house Big dogs are another thing

[@suffersicec4579]

Cat like to explore.like penguin

[@tony3231212]

If you don't mind me asking, how come you are taking the car to Spain?

[@victorstoreshop]

hello greetings, I see that in minute 21:17 you applied "rust converter" and not directly "etching primer" as you always do in your viedeos, this why? Is it because you could not sandblasting? You would recommend applying that product always before applying "etch primer"

[@mrsafwan7223]

Oh the same jack he restored in previous video cool bro keep it up

[@BrianKongXD]

Mate, not sure if you would still read comments on a 5 year old video.. but how the fuck do you remove those handbrake cables from the hub?! Im dead stuck at it from removing the whole subframe.

[@RestoreIt]

A LOT of effort. See if you can find a written 'how to' to see or that will help. It does take a little bit of auper human strength though, if I remember correctly. It is a real pain, don't give up. Good luck!

[@puromichoacanvali7614]

Veri nice video no se ingles pero me gusta mucho la mecanica y restauracion amigo grasias e aprendido mucho👍👍

[@xtina818]

Kitty is the same colour as the car; black and rust 😏

[@grahamefreestone5309]

Lol. 👍

[@RetroUkko]

Hmm, blasting cabinet was not covered during the paintjob. It's a sticky cabinet now 😁

[@bmos02]

What's the ring around the hub nut that you had to chisel out? Also, for future reference: rear rotors come off the parking brake shoes a lot nicer if you back off the adjuster first. Use a long flat blade screwdriver through a wheel bolt hole to spin the star-wheel adjuster.

[@slothgarage]

Great video as usual! Half tempted to remove my subframe for a refurb now... decisions decisions... looking forward to your next video.

[@nwalker8422]

1:08 handbrake was on, i've have this struggle before on my e46...

[@ladridz]

Your Videos are Really awesome and helpful. If I could make a little critic: some parts like rusted shock absorbers I would not weld it; just for safety, and the brake assistant either, I would just go for a brand new one.

[@TheOrgonaut]

i think you should rename your channel "RESTOR E30" it would be a huge success, btw i love your work keep going !!! ( i owned two e30 and one Alpina B3 bj 88 build 254) greets from austria (OO===[][]===OO)

[@nanimoyom3]

may I ask whats the name of the long nut device you used to remove the subframe bushes?

[@nomoremrniceguy368]

Forgot I'd subbed this, and when the notification came up I thought it was the lad in the US with the beemer who is equally skilled. This is art. The near silence with only ambient noise and tools etc is bliss and unfortunately too rare.

[@Mahalalee1]

I'm going to put this on /r/e30 - I don't care about karma, let me know if you want to put it there yourself, this deserves the views!

[@irishwristwatch2487]

I was just showing my grandad this series about 3 hours ago....decent timing there! That sanding activated primer looks mint too

[@BGTouge]

I dont want to sound disrespectful to your project, but you are changing most of the parts why didnt you upgrade the disks shocks etc. The build is great, just wondering why didnt you upgrade, i mean you are there you might as well do it? Cheers

[@TURBOTRISTO]

if any one is interested I have upgraded and restored the rear end of my e30 build with a skyline rear diff and willwood brakes

[@InternetDude]

It's a good idea to properly torque all fasteners related to the suspension, brakes, steering, etc. The last thing you want is for a fastener to come loose due to being torqued incorrectly. Your life depends on it.

[@johnfindley1188]

How about restoring a 1970s Mercedes 450sl??

[@GettingNervous]

Great vid. Uh i know that is a whole bunch of work with all that krusty stuff. But the result will pay off.

[@PVT.Parts1]

you should have stripped down and undercoated the cars underbody first before installing the subframe...

[@e36racer44]

adrian gasiewski shut up you mong

[@ilfordino-fordfiestatutori8725]

Oh come on I was going to bed.

[@RestoreIt]

Not of my watch!

[@Thillith]

One q, why are you assembling everything back if you are (I presume) going to paint the shell at some point? Wouldn't it be easier with all the stuff out?

[@grahamefreestone5309]

I was thinking about that a few videos ago. I think he's putting stuff back on the car while it's still fresh in his mind. Otherwise he'd have a pile of parts, nuts and bolts etc. Any body work to be done underneath, I'm sure he'll just whip off whatever is in the way. That's only my thought though.

[@Thillith]

Well it does makes sense, especially since entire thing will take a while to finish. On the other side, he can always look at his videos and see how he took it apart, so who knows. Could also be the space, if it's all on the car it doesn't take space around the garage.

[@grahamefreestone5309]

@@Thillith .. I think you're right about the space as well. He's taking on a huge task and he's doing a good job of it. It seems like he's getting plenty of support from his subscribers as well. I wonder what his name is? I'm gonna ask. Lol. 👍

[@poppabear7027]

Your last emergency brake you didn't put the lower spring on. I wasn't sure if you eventually figured that out?

[@MachineInput]

Great job again

[@lordvengerx]

Omg yes I have been waiting and it releases on a Friday to :D

[@dwanpipe]

when your going to so much work would you not want to upgrade to polyurethane bushes ?

[@RestoreIt]

I will do this once the car is finished factory. Or very close to. And the start upgrading parts so I can feel the differences and keep the factory parts as well.

[@e36racer44]

sidney scott when *you’re advising other, why not use correct spelling and grammar?