From list-errors.700002333.0.700754162_at_boing.topica.com Wed Feb 9 13:40:59 2000
for <dale_at_unofficialbmw.com>; Wed, 9 Feb 2000 13:40:53 -0800
To: peter_at_guagenti.com
Cc: E36m3 <e36m3_at_topica.com>
From: nabli_at_attglobal.net
Subject: Re: [E36M3] Suspension swap
Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 13:40:47 -0800

Hey guys and gals, yes I am still alive. ;-)

Peter,

Most people overlook the nuts for the front sway bar links and the rear links as well. Unfortunately, I don't have the parts #s in front of me but you can just go to the Stealer and have them pull it up on their screen. They may not have them in stock on such short notice.

Other words of "wisdom."

1. Use loctite on the front sway bar link. They tend to loosen up and make an annoying rattle over small bumps at low speeds. Ask me how I know. :-) You should not need to use them for the rears.
2. Set your bars to full stiff front (inner most hole) and full loose (outer most hole) for the rear. Once you get comfortable with that setup then go full loose in front first before touching the rear bars. "Comfortable" with the setup means either tracking the car or tracking the car. Daily driving won't cut it!
3. IMPORTANT - If the rear end ever gets loose (i.e., throttle induced oversteer), do NOT abruptly take your foot off the gas pedal. You must gradually release the gas pedal otherwise the car will "snap" back in an abrupt manner because of the thicker sway bars.
4. Getting all new spring pads might be a good idea if the originals show excessive signs of wear.
5. Believe it or not, removing your rear exhaust will save you a lot of added stress when installing the rear sway bar. A little extra simple work will save you a lot of aggravation time.
6. Make sure you center the bars.
7. I believe (at least I heard) there's a trick to installing your rear springs in terms of how they "settle" down and you should call your Eibach vendor or a reputable shop for more info.

Cheers,
Jim E.

The above information is purely for entertainment only. None of it means anything. :-)

Peter Guagenti wrote:

> This weekend I plan on swapping the shocks/struts in my car for a set of
> bilsteins/eibach springs, as well as swapping the sway bars with the ones we
> picked up in the recent group purchase. I was hoping that the collective
> wisdom of this list could inform me of the other parts I should swap while
> I'm in there. I know of the rear shock mounts, what else should I replace?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -peterg
>
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