BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > DIY Guides/ Discussions
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      03-04-2013, 08:53 AM   #23
InterJon
Second Lieutenant
10
Rep
201
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Alabama

iTrader: (0)

Very straightforward. Thank you for the write-up.

Be careful, I sheered off one of the three 13mm bolts on the strut tower. So, now I will be purchasing a new retainer for $110. Sucks! I had a torque wrench to proper spec; just bad luck. Go at them gently.
Appreciate 0
      03-04-2013, 09:18 AM   #24
THE TECH
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
THE TECH's Avatar
307
Rep
13,093
Posts


Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas

iTrader: (45)

Garage List
Nicely done Rich.
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2013, 11:53 PM   #25
pkimM3r
Banned
pkimM3r's Avatar
205
Rep
7,298
Posts

Drives: m3 saloon in granny mode.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: lost angeles

iTrader: (0)

Anyone in socal friendly enough to lend a helping hand (and a garage) to do this on my car?
Maybe at a track day? (Preferably not)

My outter tread is bald already lol.
Appreciate 0
      08-06-2013, 02:36 PM   #26
M3 Esq
Automobilist
M3 Esq's Avatar
United_States
395
Rep
2,632
Posts

Drives: E70 X5, 911 GT3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CT

iTrader: (12)

Reviving this thread just to say I successfully pulled the pins over the weekend following this DIY. It was super easy. Thanks Richbot for the write up!
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2013, 05:52 PM   #27
spr
Major
92
Rep
1,089
Posts

Drives: F80 M3; e92 ESS650+ M3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (1)

So I just did this and have EDC. It's quite simple. I did it while I was changed the oil so the car was on ramps with the drivers rear jacked up. Start one side from start to finish at a time and you will have no EDC errors. There is no reason to disconnect the wires!

Start by pulling the cover off the top of the shock- large rubber. Then you will see where the cable gromett goes into that. Pinch and push it back into the body so you can pull the large rubber cover over the wire. Now you see the 3 13mm bolts. remove them. Then remove the bolts on the strut brace. The are a bit tricky to get a socket on. However, if you have a buddy pull the plastic firewall cover back a little you can get straight on with an impact.

Now the fun part. You have to pivot the top strut mount over the three bolts while dipping the bolts on the opposite end. If you do it in the correct twisting motion while pulling up on the silver strut brace to give clearance it will come off. Then just twist out of the way to get at the allen head. Remove the alignment pin with the allen.

Then take a prybar and push against the sheetmetal and the top strut washer being careful to not nick the rubber. You want to go towards the engine. with a little fudging it will just move all at once. Now you're done. Reassemble pivoting the strut brace moutn back then use blue locktite on all threads. Viola .5+ negative camber. I have no EDC errors. Stoked!
Appreciate 0
      12-01-2013, 11:40 PM   #28
W Cole
Major
145
Rep
1,130
Posts

Drives: 2009 M3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Newport Coast, CA

iTrader: (5)

Just did this this weekend. Very easy. Both of my pins came out with an allen key.

If you are worried about stripping the pins and you want to reuse I would jack up the entire front of the car and drop the strut out of the chassis as with the strut in the car there is some side load on the strut which causes friction when removing the pin.

Also, I didn't bounce or move the car around before putting back together. I didn't really understand this step as I don't see why it matters to bounce the car, etc before the top hats are bolted back up vs. after during the first drive?
Appreciate 0
      12-02-2013, 07:32 PM   #29
longuyen88
Private First Class
3
Rep
136
Posts

Drives: Non-BMW
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: WNY

iTrader: (2)

I did this during my H&R race springs install along with e36 bumps. Final alignment camber is -1.6 and -1.9 lowered on the front.
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2014, 02:27 PM   #30
AndrewLakes
Custom User Title
AndrewLakes's Avatar
16
Rep
131
Posts

Drives: E90 335i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Alameda, CA

iTrader: (0)

Is there a reason no one is filing/grinding the strut tower camber slots further to elongate them for just the cost of some touch up paint?

Unless there is something in the way underneath, or the hat wouldn't seat correctly, I don't think it would weaken it too much.
Appreciate 0
      03-22-2014, 08:36 PM   #31
Kunman
First Lieutenant
26
Rep
328
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

what is the torque value for the 8mm bolts?? and what tools should I use to torque it? Cant use my torque wrench, there is not enough room.

holy foook, the black brace circle took me 2 hours to remove.

what does it mean "to bounce the suspension?"

Last edited by Kunman; 03-22-2014 at 10:05 PM..
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2014, 10:09 AM   #32
adc
Major General
United_States
2725
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MD/DC

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunman View Post
what is the torque value for the 8mm bolts?? and what tools should I use to torque it? Cant use my torque wrench, there is not enough room.
I just use an 8 mm socket on top of a handle (looks like a screwdriver handle). I torque it by hand to a low reasonable tightness.

Quote:
what does it mean "to bounce the suspension?"
Before tightening the 3 brace lugs, you push the car forwards or backwards a few yards, while your buddy energetically rocks that corner. This ensures none of the parts stick or bind together due to some residual tension.
__________________

2018 F80 Santorini
2019 Z4 3.0i
2022 X2 M35i
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2014, 10:13 AM   #33
adc
Major General
United_States
2725
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MD/DC

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewV View Post
Is there a reason no one is filing/grinding the strut tower camber slots further to elongate them for just the cost of some touch up paint?
Yes, it's called a camber plate. I bought a BNIB GC from a forum member for $300 and it allowed my alignment shop to do the settings I wanted to perfection.

I experimented with almost 3 degrees and did not like it for street driving (not sure I even knew how to take advantage of it on track), so now I'm around 2.2 if not mistaken.

And the old OEM plates are ready to go back on in 30 min per side if i want to.
__________________

2018 F80 Santorini
2019 Z4 3.0i
2022 X2 M35i
Appreciate 0
      03-23-2014, 12:30 PM   #34
Kunman
First Lieutenant
26
Rep
328
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by adc View Post
I just use an 8 mm socket on top of a handle (looks like a screwdriver handle). I torque it by hand to a low reasonable tightness
thank you

Just finished. I would recommend to anyone thinking of upgrading their suspension parts to try this mod first. The steering feedback has improved tremendously, and its free!!
Appreciate 0
      04-27-2014, 02:20 AM   #35
Exclusivs
Colonel
Exclusivs's Avatar
United_States
541
Rep
2,962
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (34)

Quick question:

Is this process reversible? and, if you decide to do camber plates down the line because this doesn't achieve camber you want, do the pins need to be re-installed before the camber plates.
Appreciate 0
      04-27-2014, 06:55 AM   #36
adc
Major General
United_States
2725
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MD/DC

iTrader: (12)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Exclusivs View Post
Quick question:

Is this process reversible? and, if you decide to do camber plates down the line because this doesn't achieve camber you want, do the pins need to be re-installed before the camber plates.
It is reversible only if you are very careful when removing the aluminum pins, and don't damage their threads.

The good news is that you don't really need the pins, ever. They are just a shortcut used by BMW to get the front suspension into a known configuration. You can change the camber back to stock settings even without the pins.

And if you go with aftermarket camber plates, the pins must come out anyway.
__________________

2018 F80 Santorini
2019 Z4 3.0i
2022 X2 M35i
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2014, 02:43 PM   #37
TrackJunkie
Enlisted Member
TrackJunkie's Avatar
United_States
3
Rep
38
Posts

Drives: Interlagos Blue '13 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Detroit

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2013 BMW e92 M3  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
I did mine and it is just as easy as every one says. I did not move the car - just moved the shocks in to the very end - no errors and no problems.
__________________


Interlagos Blue 20134 M3 Coupe, Comp Pkg, DTC, iDrive, No other options to keep it light
View My Garage -
http://www.e90post.com/forums/e90gar...garage&id=7562
Appreciate 0
      06-25-2014, 12:55 PM   #38
eaeRo
New Member
eaeRo's Avatar
1
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: m3 graphite
Join Date: May 2014
Location: riga, latvia

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW m3  [0.00]
Did this DIY today also, easy, did not disconnect the EDC, tricky part was taking off the strut brace part, everything else pretty straight forward. Tomorrow some testing
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2015, 11:00 AM   #39
E92M3GT
Second Lieutenant
101
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Guatemala

iTrader: (0)

I followed this very nice guide for my Wheel allignment

Only question I have: I did not put the pins back on

After my Wheel allignment, the holes where the pins are screwed could no longer be seen

No problem to not use the pins, right ?
Appreciate 0
      02-10-2015, 06:48 PM   #40
z3papa
Captain
United_States
190
Rep
969
Posts

Drives: 11 E92 M3 ZCP, 07 335i
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bloomington IL

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Rich.
__________________
Sold 2011.5 E92 M3 ZCP.
Appreciate 0
      11-06-2015, 10:40 PM   #41
///Mobbin
Colonel
///Mobbin's Avatar
1475
Rep
2,672
Posts

Drives: m3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Houston

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for sharing. I just had my pins pulled and my alignment done by a track alignment pro. Interestingly the negative camber from the factory on my ZCP car was already -1.3 and -1.4 and he adjusted it to -1.5 on both sides after pulling the pins. Not much difference but it was a freebie and I'll take it!
__________________
2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio | 2.9L | Trofeo White Tri-Coat | 8-spd
Appreciate 0
      09-26-2017, 07:47 AM   #42
chalbe
Private
17
Rep
82
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, jeeps
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Columbus, Ohio

iTrader: (1)

I followed this DIY. My car has EDC, so, I popped the dust cover off and disconnected the EDC plug at the top of each strut; after that the work in the DIY is the same for EDC equipped cars. The whole process took about 10-15 minutes per side....it is really easy. I torqued the 6 top mount bearing bolts to 25 ft-lbs and the strut bar nuts as tight as I could with a long 13mm box end. I have a smart camber gauge and measured an additional -.4 degrees on each side after the work; with no EDC error codes.

Thanks to Richbot for making the DIY and to everyone that did the work and posted their results.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2018, 02:35 PM   #43
MPower7
First Lieutenant
MPower7's Avatar
89
Rep
363
Posts

Drives: 11' e92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SF

iTrader: (1)

Had the alignment shop max out the camber. I got -1.6 on the left and -1.7 on the front right. Why do you think they are different?
Appreciate 0
      04-17-2018, 01:57 PM   #44
dparm
Stop the hate, get a V8
dparm's Avatar
United_States
3848
Rep
8,625
Posts

Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Frisco, TX

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
Had the alignment shop max out the camber. I got -1.6 on the left and -1.7 on the front right. Why do you think they are different?
Not uncommon -- typical production tolerances or maybe even the result of wear and tear over the years. The car's weight isn't symmetrical left-to-right anyway.
__________________
Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan
Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST