Anyone tell me what these are and where they go?

Wellardmac · 02-12-2013, 09:37 PM

When I bought my E90 M3 I was given a couple of threaded pins by the previous owner. He said they were "pinion pins" and that he took them out to help handling when he autocrossed.

I would like to put the pins back in their rightful place, but a search on "pinion pins" didn't turn up anything useful to tell me where they go and how to put them back. I would really appreciate guidance from anyone that can point me in the right direction.

j2m · 02-12-2013, 09:58 PM

That's your camber pins. Peeps pull them so they can add camber to the front wheels without adding camber plates.
What size are your front wheels and tires?

See link:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218440

1MtoM3 · 02-12-2013, 10:25 PM

are those plutonium?
if so ,can I buy them ?

Vic311 · 02-12-2013, 10:57 PM

slicer · 02-12-2013, 11:22 PM

I would leave them out. A little negative camber doesn't hurt.

IL8Apex · 02-12-2013, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicer

I would leave them out. A little negative camber doesn't hurt.

I don't know about that. More neg camber up front means more oversteer. For the average Joe oversteer is deadly to himself and the public when taking an on/off ramp too fast.

There's a reason understeer is dialed-in from the factory. Then again, I think the most neg camber you can get from pulling the pins is about -1.8 degrees. That's not too extreme IMO.

uplusd · 02-13-2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

Then again, I think the most neg camber you can get from pulling the pins is about -1.8 degrees. That's not too extreme IMO.

I'm at -1.8 without pulling pins

Wellardmac · 02-13-2013, 06:24 AM

Okay, so I guess what I'm hearing is that removing the pins should not have caused too much deviation from factory specs. I had previously wondered if removal of the pins was causing excessive wear on my tires.

I'm just about to replace my front tires, as they're excessively wearing on the inside edge - part of the job will be to get an alignment. If the absence of the pins is damaging to tire wear I'll have them reinstalled, if they cause no harm by being out, then I'll leave them out. Any thoughts?

Ken37.73 · 02-13-2013, 08:18 AM

You bought a car from a man who said he autocrossed in it after he handed you a couple of stray bolts ?

Is autocross not some kind of off road thing ?

InterJon · 02-13-2013, 09:07 AM

Not a big deal. You can find more about the pins and how they work here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521177

InterJon · 02-13-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken37.73

You bought a car from a man who said he autocrossed in it after he handed you a couple of stray bolts ?

Is autocross not some kind of off road thing ?

No it is not an "off road thing". Google "autocross" or "solo" as it is called by the SCCA.

PAMidge · 02-13-2013, 09:12 AM

Those are the bolts to the side of frankenstein's neck. Return them to him IMMEDIATELY

Ken37.73 · 02-13-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InterJon

No it is not an "off road thing". Google "autocross" or "solo" as it is called by the SCCA.

Hmmm. Just did that. Car park racing. Wouldn't be my cup of tea.

Templar · 02-13-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAMidge

Those are the bolts to the side of frankenstein's neck. Return them to him IMMEDIATELY

1MtoM3 · 02-13-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAMidge

Those are the bolts to the side of frankenstein's neck. Return them to him IMMEDIATELY

I have his nuts...!!!

SpiralOut · 02-13-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellardmac

Okay, so I guess what I'm hearing is that removing the pins should not have caused too much deviation from factory specs. I had previously wondered if removal of the pins was causing excessive wear on my tires.

I'm just about to replace my front tires, as they're excessively wearing on the inside edge - part of the job will be to get an alignment. If the absence of the pins is damaging to tire wear I'll have them reinstalled, if they cause no harm by being out, then I'll leave them out. Any thoughts?

Leave em out. Not a big deal. You can still align to factory specs with them out if you want. Even if you go with max camber, your tire wear won't be much worse as long as you keep your toe in check.

apecush · 02-13-2013, 10:13 AM

cripes, pulling the pins gives an extra 0.5 degrees of negative camber. you will NOT notice this compared to the stock values in everyday driving. It has absolutely no negative influence over the handling of the car, and will have minimal effect on tire wear.

in summary, throw them away and stop worrying.

j2m · 02-13-2013, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wellardmac

Okay, so I guess what I'm hearing is that removing the pins should not have caused too much deviation from factory specs. I had previously wondered if removal of the pins was causing excessive wear on my tires.

I'm just about to replace my front tires, as they're excessively wearing on the inside edge - part of the job will be to get an alignment. If the absence of the pins is damaging to tire wear I'll have them reinstalled, if they cause no harm by being out, then I'll leave them out. Any thoughts?

I have -2.5 camber on the front and do not have excessive tire wear.

Z K · 02-13-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken37.73

You bought a car from a man who said he autocrossed in it after he handed you a couple of stray bolts ?

Is autocross not some kind of off road thing ?

Autocross is more similar to gymkhana but with a race course made out of cones, not so much spinning and course memorization. It's not hard on the car. Speeds rarely exceed 50 mph. Autocross in Europe is called Rallycross in the USA.

For the original poster, no need to worry about it. Get an alignment and it'll be fine. Pulling the pins only gives you 0.5 degrees of additional camber - to 1.8 degrees total negative camber. Shouldn't affect tire wear very much.

slicer · 02-13-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

I don't know about that. More neg camber up front means more oversteer. For the average Joe oversteer is deadly to himself and the public when taking an on/off ramp too fast.

There's a reason understeer is dialed-in from the factory. Then again, I think the most neg camber you can get from pulling the pins is about -1.8 degrees. That's not too extreme IMO.

I'm sorry scratch what I said. OP - Please put the pins back in place or you (and many families in your path) will surely die from negative camber on the next highway on/off ramp.

Vic311 · 02-13-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicer

I'm sorry scratch what I said. OP - Please put the pins back in place or you (and many families in your path) will surely die from negative camber on the next highway on/off ramp.

This thread brings the lulz..

schnell325 · 02-13-2013, 03:21 PM

OMG. Great thread.

I'd leave them out.

02-12-2013, 09:37 PM	#1
Wellardmac Ninja World Traveler Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	Anyone tell me what these are and where they go? When I bought my E90 M3 I was given a couple of threaded pins by the previous owner. He said they were "pinion pins" and that he took them out to help handling when he autocrossed. I would like to put the pins back in their rightful place, but a search on "pinion pins" didn't turn up anything useful to tell me where they go and how to put them back. I would really appreciate guidance from anyone that can point me in the right direction. Attached Images __________________ E90 M3 - Interlagos Blue BMWCCA# 456739
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02-12-2013, 09:58 PM	#2
j2m Colonel Drives: '11 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary, Ab Posts: 2,394 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	That's your camber pins. Peeps pull them so they can add camber to the front wheels without adding camber plates. What size are your front wheels and tires? See link: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218440 __________________ 11' E92 M3 Space Grey \| DCT \| ESS VT2- 625 \| Gintani Race (valved) + Quad Res Catless X-Pipe \| KW Sleeve's \| GC Camber Plates\|Arkym Diffuser \| Vorsteiner VRS Lip \| P3 Boost Guage \| Stud Conversion PHOTO's: Click Here ESS VT2 625 PHOTOS: Click Here Last edited by j2m; 02-13-2013 at 11:48 AM.

02-12-2013, 10:25 PM	#3
1MtoM3 HayZeus Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Brossard , Canada Posts: 267 iTrader: (0)	are those plutonium? if so ,can I buy them ? __________________ BLOME !!! MW E92 , Turner test pipes , Vorsteiner Titanium catback, TMS spacers, ESS remap , KW sleeves.

02-12-2013, 11:22 PM	#5
slicer Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '13 E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,606 iTrader: (3)	I would leave them out. A little negative camber doesn't hurt. __________________ '13 SSII M3 Coupe - KW Clubsport 3-way, Akrapovic Evolution, ESS Tune, HRE R43, StopTech Trophy, IND Euro Front Bumper, TMS Studs/Lugs, BMW Performance Spoiler, BMWPedals Extended DCT Paddles, BMW Edition Grills/Gills

02-13-2013, 06:24 AM	#8
Wellardmac Ninja World Traveler Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Apex, NC Posts: 34 iTrader: (0)	Okay, so I guess what I'm hearing is that removing the pins should not have caused too much deviation from factory specs. I had previously wondered if removal of the pins was causing excessive wear on my tires. I'm just about to replace my front tires, as they're excessively wearing on the inside edge - part of the job will be to get an alignment. If the absence of the pins is damaging to tire wear I'll have them reinstalled, if they cause no harm by being out, then I'll leave them out. Any thoughts? __________________ E90 M3 - Interlagos Blue BMWCCA# 456739

02-12-2013, 10:57 PM	#4
Vic311 Zen Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CA Posts: 837 iTrader: (0)

02-13-2013, 08:18 AM	#9
Ken37.73 Private 1st Class Drives: E92 M3 Jet Black Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 465 iTrader: (0)	You bought a car from a man who said he autocrossed in it after he handed you a couple of stray bolts ? Is autocross not some kind of off road thing ? __________________ Last edited by Ken37.73; 02-13-2013 at 08:18 AM. Reason: typo

02-13-2013, 09:07 AM	#10
InterJon Private First Class Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 117 iTrader: (0)	Not a big deal. You can find more about the pins and how they work here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521177

02-13-2013, 09:12 AM	#12
PAMidge Saving Lives Since 2000 Drives: 2011 335xi & 2013 X3 28i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast Posts: 1,876 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 e90 335xi [3.57] 2013 X3 28i [0.00]	Those are the bolts to the side of frankenstein's neck. Return them to him IMMEDIATELY

02-13-2013, 10:13 AM	#17
apecush First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Edmonton Posts: 320 iTrader: (1)	cripes, pulling the pins gives an extra 0.5 degrees of negative camber. you will NOT notice this compared to the stock values in everyday driving. It has absolutely no negative influence over the handling of the car, and will have minimal effect on tire wear. in summary, throw them away and stop worrying.

02-13-2013, 03:21 PM	#22
schnell325 Bored at work.... Drives: '08 M3,'11 335xi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BC Posts: 3,400 iTrader: (5)	OMG. Great thread. I'd leave them out. __________________ 2008 SG E92 M3 6MT AA Stage 2 w/ Meth 2011 SG E90 335xi 6MT 2007 SG E70 X5 4.8is

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