The long brake is almost over

After a couple of days the new one piece hub arrived including bearing. Very expensive, almost 2000 SEK for BMW original. Maybe I should have gone for an oem on Ebay.

Used a 46mm socket to get the hub nut off.

Once I knocked the hub off part of the bearing was left behind. Always seems to be with bearings.

Easily removed with a puller.

I wanted to replace both shock absorbers as they were looking quite corroded, but after checking the price at Protech (around £95 each - ask for GKD custom shocks) I'll leave them until they are actually worn out. 

While waiting for the new hub I marked the position of the steering rod adjusting nut with white plastic tape. Then removed the steering ball joint and dragged off the rubber boot which had broken. Touched up the paintwork with silver ..

... and put a new boot on.

Cleaned up the spline, put a little grease on it and gradually tapped the new hub into place. The 46mm socket is exactly the right size on the edge of the bearing to lightly tap the hub on to the spline.

Once enough thread is showing tightening the hub nut (I replaced the nut which probably wasn't necessary) will push the hub onto the spline for it's final tightening (the ws manual says 290Nm). Then use a chisel or screwdriver to bend in the ring of the nut.

I bolted the disc into place and cleaned up and painted the caliper, got the brake pads in place and then bolted the caliper back in position. The black anti corrosive coating on the disc brake surface will be removed by the pads once in use.

The new rear pads fitted nicely in the caliper ready for the wheel to go back.

Wanted to first replace the connector for the rear light cluster as it's quite corroded after more than 5 years of driving. Also took the opportunity to clean up and remove some small rust marks on the frame and add silicon to some of the panels. Next step is to repeat the process for the left front and rear disc and pads.

Disc replacement

Hello again! Cold and dark here in Sweden. The roads haven't been suitable for driving and the car isn't MOT'd so can't drive it anyway. In the mean time I have a long list of jobs to do.

Should keep me busy for a couple of months.

I bought two brake disc kits from EBC as the current ones were, I believe, slightly warped.

Looking good. 

• PD13KF113 kit including GD553 EBC 3GD Series Dimpled And Slotted Sport Discs to Fit Front and DP4914R Yellowstuff brake pads
• PD13KR092  kit including GD554 EBC 3GD Series Dimpled And Slotted Sport Discs to fit rear and DP41079R Yellowstuff brake pads

Had to bash the spacer off

Disc removed as well as brake caliper

The EBC disc in place. 

But when I went to install the pads in the calipers they didn't fit! Called Peter and he told me the rear caliper comes from a VW Golf mark4 (Part No. ADB0797). Had to plead with EBC to swap the pads for the equivalent EBC P/N DP4680R. Will have to wait for their arrival. In the mean time started on the front discs.

Disc removed and calipers in but found the wheel bearing needed replacing! Will have to wait until that arrives too!

Will also change steering rubber boots.

Another job was to fix the fuel leak in the tank. I thought it was in the filler tube but then discovered it was also seeping out around the fuel level sensor hole (nearest). Removed the bolts added fuel sealant and rubber washers to help seal the bolt holes. I need to fill it up to check it worked.

Removed the roll bar as there was a little rust around the bolt holes. Requires a good clean and a rust converter first.

Now I have to wait for the front hubs and rear brake pads to arrive. Perhaps I'll start with the console in the meantime. Bye for now.