One of the more frustrating parts about doing a front wheel bearing on an E30 is when the inner race separates from the rest of the hub. Normally this requires cutting a slot into the inner race or playing with thermal expansion and contraction to get it off. The tool to make this situation...
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E30 Cowcatcher foglights are NLA and fairly difficult to find forsale, so for those that have ones that are intact, here are the protection film measurements that you can use:
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If you ever wondered how the E30 VIN number decodes, below are the instructions directly from BMW. What you wont find anywhere else is the 11th digit manufacturing plant information for cars old enough to start with a number instead of a letter. Here it is: Dingolfing – 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9, B, D Munich – 8,...
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Here’s how to diagnose a bad wheel bearing by checking for side-to-side play, which can help isolate the issue from other suspension components like tie rods, control arms or strut mounts. Diagnose a Bad Wheel Bearing: Inspect for Play: Check the wheel for side-to-side play by rocking it at the 3 and 9 o’clock...
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Maintaining the charging system is vital for any vehicle’s reliability. This streamlined guide covers the essential steps for a thorough evaluation.   Required Tools: Multimeter with DC voltage, min/max, and AC modes Alligator clips Battery Voltage Check: Switch the multimeter to DC voltage mode. Attach the red lead to the positive terminal and the...
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This is a factory level tool designed for installing front wheel bearing hubs on an E30. It is a must-have for any serious mechanic or BMW enthusiast. With this tool, you can easily install the bearings without damaging them. The tool is exacting to the OEM tool 312120 in design and exceeds the quality...
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After 30+ years the tiny seals in the E30 AC system should be changed; its one of the most common leak points and often missed because any manifold measurements are taken with the valves in use. Nearly all Schrader valve cores, like the ones found on the E30 R12 lines are replaceable. As not...
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On many pre-1988 E30s, the lines that originate from and lead to the reservoir (low pressure) terminate in banjo connections that consist of a hose and a band clamp. The two lines are: 16X22MM 32411131545 12X18MM 32411131524 The hoses adhere to a DIN standard that is NBR/CR: NBR inner, single textile reinforcement, CR outer...
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If you own a pre-OBD 2 BMW, especially an E30, there are three indispensable tools: a smoke machine for finding vacuum leaks, a radiator pressure tester for coolant leaks, and the focus of this post, a torque screwdriver for worm gear hose clamps. Older BMWs are from a generation that predates the use of...
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When exploring BMW’s official repair documentation, you’ll frequently encounter references to tools identified by 6-digit BMW numbers. To acquire these tools, you have two options: rely on an enthusiastic dealer’s parts department to search for the BMW part number (PN), or take the initiative to cross-reference the number yourself. Once you’ve identified the tool,...
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