Really love how transparent you are with this whole process. Nothing ever seems to cooperate on these cars, and it's frustrating when you see someone filming content that just does jump cuts and pretends like everything went smoothly. It's refreshing to know that even someone with as much experience as you with fab work and macgyver'ing tools together for builds; there's still some times even you want to throw in the towel. Looking forward to the next update!
Lots of great memories of the E36's I had back in the day. I love the use of the Dead Blow which in my shop it is expected that when you ask for one you deepen your voice as 'Dead Blow' should sound like some vigilante action hero.
Dont worry Mike, i have been doing this job (e36 rear subframe replacement) last year and i have devastated much more things... :D i have even put on the brake shields on the iccorrect sides. soo yeah destroyed 2 bearings right away :D
I've been watching your channel for a few months now and i have to say i look forward to every one of them. As being a mechanic for 25 years i found that if it's worth doing it's worth doing 2 or 3 times. Good stuff!
With all these new specialty tools you're going to have to create a new "must have" tool video! I can only imagine how difficult it must be getting such rare German tools into your shop. I hear those are well sought after. No worries about getting everything done you hoped for, that's just how it goes man. Rule of Pi haha! Always happy to watch build videos no matter how "finished" you get at the end. It's all great content and good content to learn from.
I've done this job on my last e46 m3 years ago and then last year on my current e46 m3. Anytime I used those bushing tools I always used a nice thick grease on the threads and reapplied it after installing each bushing. I also give the tool a break since it gets hot quickly when the bushing is a tight fit. I also purchased those Ground Control rear control arms. Love them. They're the closest to the csl m3 rear control arms.
So we install these rtab bushings with a heavy duty otc bushing install tool. Of course we run a strictly German auto repair shop so we need it but they are like $1500 but they work with literally anything from ball joints to bushings. But glad to see you got it done. I'm in the middle of a low low milage e36 323is street build I bought from some one in the villages, Florida. How refreshing to see people still loving the e36.
I thought it was only me dealing with this issue when I tried doing this job many years ago. The press is always your friend if you have one. I had to do a combination of heating, manual press, hammers, and clamps.
For what it's worth, a cup-style ball joint/bushing press tool with a threaded rod will make the E36 RTABs pretty easy to press in and out. I recently installed a set of Syncro Design Works monoball RTABs in a customer E36 M3 with a pretty simple bushing press tool. I also froze the monoballs overnight which made fitment an absolute breeze.
This is great, being an auto mechanic, and a car enthusiast I appreciated this episode. Love all the 308 updates, and I'm jealous of your fabricating abilities, but this video made me feel a little bit more proud of my own abilities watching you struggle with this rear end rebuild. You don't see car youtubers film, and post their short comings, its fresh to see, keep up the good work!
I'm no stranger to major car projects, including complete restoration, but watching this video makes me feel better about my decision to have someone else do all this work when I had it done in my E36.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does everything twice, the wrong way, or just forgets the simple things. We learn more by f__cking up then doing it the easy way. Have you always had the 2002 in the background? Mine is moving up the list...
Tip to fix your hydraulic press issue where it is not laying flat. measure the hieght and width of the C-channel. Replace them with the next larger thicker size. Weld gussets in the channel. Should last quite longer where it will not bend again😉. I believe the C-channel on the that press could be a standard C3x4.5 channel. Got more questions on structural steel give me a hollar😉 this is how you beef it up.
Tip for if you ever do the trailing arm ball joints again. First freeze them for 12 hours. Second, they are directional, there’s a chamfered edge on both that allows them to go in easily. Also not a great idea to use bearings on the RTAB mount, they do require lubricating on a regular basis for road use
Front Diff bolt warning !!!! Hey Mike while u have the diff out please upgrade the front bolt. Considering the extra power and spirited driving intended its a must. Drill front mount bush 9/16"=14.3mm Drill out diff casting to 1/2"=12.7mm, a 12.5mm will also work. Tap M14x1.5 pitch. I use 3/8"extension and large tapping handle to clear diff nose. Fold some aluminium foil to give snug fit from tap to extension. Purchase M14x1.5p - 80mm long G8.8 hex bolt, zinc and good quality 14mm flat washer. Cut a slot in thread end of bolt so if it ever snaps you can wind it out from back without removing diff. I have just done all of this to mine. 25% stronger.
I put in a higher grade (12.9) socket head cap screw in the original m12 size. I couldn’t find a high tensile m14 bolt so figured it was next best thing!
On the press. Ya know … you own a welder ;) I’m sure making a nice home built press would make for some pretty great content and some more tig practice wouldn’t hurt not to mention It’s a seriously handy tool to have in everyone’s shop! Could be a solid day project to if you ever are starting to feel burnt out on the other projects
I know this video is two years old, but you can run e46 aluminum upper control arms on an e36, mine work flawlessly. Slight modification to sway bar link placement, but with a little measuring it comes out perfect.
Just some feedback for the trailing arm bearing installer tool. The threads should be lubricated with a heavy grease to help protect them and reduce heat buildup. Not sure if you did use grease or not, but if you didn't try that next time. It was a huge pain, but I was able to do all the bushing and bearings on my e36 with an Amazon e36 installer tool kit
On my W211 Mercedes I'm fairly certain the factory procedure for the front wheel bearing and hub mentioned something about forgetting dust shields too.
The problem with your installer is the type of threads- standard 60 degree threads are not made for those heavy linear forces- the bolt should have a square form thread like acme.
Those spherical bearings in the trailing arms should slip right in with one of those handpress things like you have. Paid like a 100$ for mine. Just used some felt pad thingies you put under a chair to center it up properly. Not worth fucking around for 2 hours... Also I think I used some scotchbrite to clean up the surfaces, so that made them go in easier I guess?
Do you have a freezer or fridge on site?? Isn’t it possible to freeze the bearings to “enhance” the tolerances??? I always freeze my bearings before pushing them in a crankcase (2stroke) they literally fall in that way..put the crankcase on the heater and bearing in the freezer...
You probably know this but when we had new bearings or bushes to replace we'd put the bush in the freezer overnight then heat up where the bearings were being fitted to help the process but like i said you probably already know that
Mike, the episode you said you were i) waiting for wheels for the Ferrari, iii) don’t know when or if they’ll ever come, iiii) can’t do any serious work in Ferrari without the wheels and then iv) refused to use other wheels was the low point of the past year. Please, please just use different wheels and get back to the Ferrari. Most of us aren’t interested in the BMW.
Is 420-69 the dead blow or standard mallet? I saw 69-420-69 was a mallet and wanted to be sure I grab the right tool for the job. Good stuff, seeing how you move about between jobs makes me feel better about time I spend going back and forth. Cheers! 🤘🔥😎🔥🤘
Gotta say that this was a GREAT episode. The lil misshap and technical difficult ora really highlights your way of approching problems and honestly I love it. Thank you for the great content!
I like when you take your time and show us how to do and not do things, you are a great teacher. Prefer you don’t rush just to show progress as the journey is the most interesting thing. At least in my opinion. Thanks for another lesson.
😂 😂 made exactly the same mistake with the brake shields while rebuilding my e30 rear axel a couple of months ago. Refused to risk ruining the new wheel bearing, so I cut the plates and bent them over the hub. Worked pretty well, just left with a thin straight cut at the plate as a silent reminder of my mistake. Still hoping I stop seeing that cut everytime I look at the rear suspension. (Finishing the car will probably help with that). Nice episode!!
This is gold man. Good info.. Also I see in the background your 2022 Sema build. Strangely enough I came across you from a prank at Sema. lol. Then found out that my buddy Jeff at Circuit Demond has known you for a while. Small world.
they are not the only ones, decades (half a century?) ago, Citroën used to be know for their "special" tools, just for wanting to service a car. And those tools could only bought from, yes, Citroën.
I used a similar tool on ford suspension. Part number B15 A55 Hamm3r. When i had to do bushing on a stock ttb and also some drop beams i made a similar tool from some pipe, plates and all thread. Threads strip too but my trick was to use brass bushings and several washers. The washers help the threads survive a bit longer and the brass helps the threads from smearing on the metal plate. I did this with beams on the truck so a press wasnt an option. Not the right way but A way
Engineer here, press fit bearings easily can be installed with that tool you had however threaded bar material and lubrication, lots of it is key. Shit happens at least you did not give up. Another thought was the difficulty you experienced could have been due to the gland that the bearing installs into had paint/powder coat into it changing the press fit tolerance needed.
Fellow E36 owner here, we all have felt, currently feel, and will feel your pain again 😂. At least when you start putting in the interior, it will (hopefully?) be new-ish plastics and connectors, not 25-year old stuff that has been baking in the sun and becoming brittle 🤞😬
If you buy an e36 and plan on doing any wheel bearing or suspension work, do yourself a favor and go spend the couple hundred bucks on a press. It makes many jobs exponentially easier. Those rear spring mounts are pretty cool I want some! Btw you can use front wheel bearing nut socket (46mm -The big one) to hold the bottom as receiver and press in with a 30-something mm it does work but you need to hold the trailing arm so a friend helps.
Really love how transparent you are with this whole process. Nothing ever seems to cooperate on these cars, and it's frustrating when you see someone filming content that just does jump cuts and pretends like everything went smoothly. It's refreshing to know that even someone with as much experience as you with fab work and macgyver'ing tools together for builds; there's still some times even you want to throw in the towel. Looking forward to the next update!
Lots of great memories of the E36's I had back in the day. I love the use of the Dead Blow which in my shop it is expected that when you ask for one you deepen your voice as 'Dead Blow' should sound like some vigilante action hero.
HAH! I love it.
Dont worry Mike, i have been doing this job (e36 rear subframe replacement) last year and i have devastated much more things... :D i have even put on the brake shields on the iccorrect sides. soo yeah destroyed 2 bearings right away :D
I've been watching your channel for a few months now and i have to say i look forward to every one of them. As being a mechanic for 25 years i found that if it's worth doing it's worth doing 2 or 3 times. Good stuff!
With all these new specialty tools you're going to have to create a new "must have" tool video! I can only imagine how difficult it must be getting such rare German tools into your shop. I hear those are well sought after.
No worries about getting everything done you hoped for, that's just how it goes man. Rule of Pi haha! Always happy to watch build videos no matter how "finished" you get at the end. It's all great content and good content to learn from.
Nicely done. Can't understand how you build 3 cars at the same time, alone and with that attention to detail. Awesome.
I've done this job on my last e46 m3 years ago and then last year on my current e46 m3. Anytime I used those bushing tools I always used a nice thick grease on the threads and reapplied it after installing each bushing. I also give the tool a break since it gets hot quickly when the bushing is a tight fit.
I also purchased those Ground Control rear control arms. Love them. They're the closest to the csl m3 rear control arms.
So we install these rtab bushings with a heavy duty otc bushing install tool. Of course we run a strictly German auto repair shop so we need it but they are like $1500 but they work with literally anything from ball joints to bushings. But glad to see you got it done. I'm in the middle of a low low milage e36 323is street build I bought from some one in the villages, Florida. How refreshing to see people still loving the e36.
I thought it was only me dealing with this issue when I tried doing this job many years ago. The press is always your friend if you have one. I had to do a combination of heating, manual press, hammers, and clamps.
For what it's worth, a cup-style ball joint/bushing press tool with a threaded rod will make the E36 RTABs pretty easy to press in and out. I recently installed a set of Syncro Design Works monoball RTABs in a customer E36 M3 with a pretty simple bushing press tool. I also froze the monoballs overnight which made fitment an absolute breeze.
This is great, being an auto mechanic, and a car enthusiast I appreciated this episode. Love all the 308 updates, and I'm jealous of your fabricating abilities, but this video made me feel a little bit more proud of my own abilities watching you struggle with this rear end rebuild. You don't see car youtubers film, and post their short comings, its fresh to see, keep up the good work!
I'm no stranger to major car projects, including complete restoration, but watching this video makes me feel better about my decision to have someone else do all this work when I had it done in my E36.
I didn't realize the E36 suspension was so complex. Jason is a great guy and makes a quality product, he's definitely an out of the box thinker.
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who does everything twice, the wrong way, or just forgets the simple things. We learn more by f__cking up then doing it the easy way. Have you always had the 2002 in the background? Mine is moving up the list...
Great episode Mike! It’s always nice to see e36 content, Khalil and Andrew helping out as well! Looking forward to seeing the e36 back on the ground!
Tip to fix your hydraulic press issue where it is not laying flat. measure the hieght and width of the C-channel. Replace them with the next larger thicker size. Weld gussets in the channel. Should last quite longer where it will not bend again😉. I believe the C-channel on the that press could be a standard C3x4.5 channel. Got more questions on structural steel give me a hollar😉 this is how you beef it up.
I can't believe i didnt find this channel earlier, the content is so well made and put together
Tip for if you ever do the trailing arm ball joints again. First freeze them for 12 hours. Second, they are directional, there’s a chamfered edge on both that allows them to go in easily. Also not a great idea to use bearings on the RTAB mount, they do require lubricating on a regular basis for road use
Front Diff bolt warning !!!!
Hey Mike while u have the diff out please upgrade the front bolt.
Considering the extra power and spirited driving intended its a must.
Drill front mount bush 9/16"=14.3mm
Drill out diff casting to 1/2"=12.7mm, a 12.5mm will also work.
Tap M14x1.5 pitch. I use 3/8"extension and large tapping handle to clear diff nose.
Fold some aluminium foil to give snug fit from tap to extension.
Purchase M14x1.5p - 80mm long G8.8 hex bolt, zinc and good quality 14mm flat washer.
Cut a slot in thread end of bolt so if it ever snaps you can wind it out from back without removing diff.
I have just done all of this to mine. 25% stronger.
I put in a higher grade (12.9) socket head cap screw in the original m12 size. I couldn’t find a high tensile m14 bolt so figured it was next best thing!
On the press. Ya know … you own a welder ;) I’m sure making a nice home built press would make for some pretty great content and some more tig practice wouldn’t hurt not to mention It’s a seriously handy tool to have in everyone’s shop! Could be a solid day project to if you ever are starting to feel burnt out on the other projects
wow what a nostalgia trip. this was one of my favorite cars when i first got into the car scene 10+ years ago
I know this video is two years old, but you can run e46 aluminum upper control arms on an e36, mine work flawlessly. Slight modification to sway bar link placement, but with a little measuring it comes out perfect.
Just some feedback for the trailing arm bearing installer tool. The threads should be lubricated with a heavy grease to help protect them and reduce heat buildup. Not sure if you did use grease or not, but if you didn't try that next time. It was a huge pain, but I was able to do all the bushing and bearings on my e36 with an Amazon e36 installer tool kit
I greased 'Em. Just lots of mileage on the tool itself.
It's always good to see your favourite TH-camrs being human and making the same errors as the rest of us 🤣👌
On my W211 Mercedes I'm fairly certain the factory procedure for the front wheel bearing and hub mentioned something about forgetting dust shields too.
Sarcasm level 10000 in this ep, love it
Some bush installation tools have a bearing that sits between the nut and the bit that sits on the bush, makes it heaps easier
i love how you turned a horrible day into fun, nice job
The third Banner that's partially falling down above the garage door gets me every time.
Nice video Stance. Still learning all the cars u have in your fleet. Keep it up 👍
I know so much information about cars I’ll never own. Thank you Mike
I'm a simple man. I see a StanceWorks upload, I click like.
Wow. Thanks for sharing all the details. Awesome.
Great video and tutorial 👌
Yesssss E36 Progress!
Lol, specialty tool=BFH. Always watching dude, thanks for the update on the bimmer.
The problem with your installer is the type of threads- standard 60 degree threads are not made for those heavy linear forces- the bolt should have a square form thread like acme.
Need to rob some from some cheap spring compressors
Love this, really enjoying the variety of your builds at the moment!
I use that specialty tool a lot, although we call it “BFH” (big f@#kin hammer) or “gentle persuader” 😂
The old hot cold trick and some lubrication would have gone a long way on the trailing arm bearings. Anything press fit goes so easily that way.
“Extraordinarily heavy differential”. Proceeds to bring it down relatively easy.
I appreciate your humor! Also, did you ever tell us what the new car project is? I can’t remember.
you got me with the 42069 pn i thought it was a real part number.
Hi performance Glovehands, fun! BMW misfortune, fun! Ferrari ando Model A can wait, we are having fun.
Looking forward to seeing the model A engine sorted 🤞
Glad I dont have to type that out but I would not have as we all do thing just to get it done keep up the good work
Honestly I use a mallet way more than I should in my garage and it never lets me down lol.
Like the dilla style tunes . Keep keeping on Mike!
Mate, did you take the powder coat from the inside surface where you’re trying to press in the spherical bearings?
Where did you get that articulating spring perch thingy?
Those spherical bearings in the trailing arms should slip right in with one of those handpress things like you have. Paid like a 100$ for mine. Just used some felt pad thingies you put under a chair to center it up properly. Not worth fucking around for 2 hours... Also I think I used some scotchbrite to clean up the surfaces, so that made them go in easier I guess?
Did you powder coat inside where the bearings press in? That extra 2-3 thou probably makes it much harder to press in with the bolt type tool.
I did not.
Do you have a freezer or fridge on site?? Isn’t it possible to freeze the bearings to “enhance” the tolerances??? I always freeze my bearings before pushing them in a crankcase (2stroke) they literally fall in that way..put the crankcase on the heater and bearing in the freezer...
Throw those bearings in the freezer for a few hours next time, usually makes it way easier!
You probably know this but when we had new bearings or bushes to replace we'd put the bush in the freezer overnight then heat up where the bearings were being fitted to help the process but like i said you probably already know that
Bushings into freezer + heat applied to the trailing arm... maybe?
the new car def looks like an e30
I'm getting some great laughs with brake shield cuz now I'm not😂😂😂😂
We all have days like that... everything we touch turns to crap... I guess maybe you were just sad.
BTW WAY TO GO MAX! lol
One like for that brake shield, it made me laugh xd
Can confirm that e36’s suck lol. Definite love/hate relationship. Good info in here though 👍🏻
does this build have a bad sides ?
😂🤣 don’t forget the brake shields
VERSTAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!! REDBULL FOR THE WIN!!!!!!
Nice
Never use a bent bolt it can break due fatigue
Everyone of us knows that the correct way to do a job is at least twice first.
only a select few are able to use a press like this.
put them in the freezer for a bit. might shink enough to slip in a little easier
I broke the vice of my job pressing out theses « bushing » lol
Yassssssss ❤❤❤❤❤💪💪💪💪💪💪
"BMW's suck, don't buy one."
we all heard you, but none of us are listening
MAX VERSTAPPEN
You’ve got to get the flap wheel inside those bushing apertures and use some lube man. An air chisel on a flat plate also works . . Don’t ask .
Don’t put your hand anywhere near a hydraulic press while it’s operating guys..
Suspension bearings are THE WORST. I feel for you.
Mike, the episode you said you were i) waiting for wheels for the Ferrari, iii) don’t know when or if they’ll ever come, iiii) can’t do any serious work in Ferrari without the wheels and then iv) refused to use other wheels was the low point of the past year. Please, please just use different wheels and get back to the Ferrari. Most of us aren’t interested in the BMW.
Is 420-69 the dead blow or standard mallet? I saw 69-420-69 was a mallet and wanted to be sure I grab the right tool for the job. Good stuff, seeing how you move about between jobs makes me feel better about time I spend going back and forth. Cheers! 🤘🔥😎🔥🤘
Gotta say that this was a GREAT episode. The lil misshap and technical difficult ora really highlights your way of approching problems and honestly I love it. Thank you for the great content!
I like when you take your time and show us how to do and not do things, you are a great teacher. Prefer you don’t rush just to show progress as the journey is the most interesting thing. At least in my opinion. Thanks for another lesson.
I’m biased but E36 episodes are my favorite. I want to go in and redo a few things on my rear subframe eventually, this is great motivation to do so 😄
😂 😂 made exactly the same mistake with the brake shields while rebuilding my e30 rear axel a couple of months ago. Refused to risk ruining the new wheel bearing, so I cut the plates and bent them over the hub. Worked pretty well, just left with a thin straight cut at the plate as a silent reminder of my mistake. Still hoping I stop seeing that cut everytime I look at the rear suspension. (Finishing the car will probably help with that). Nice episode!!
When you patiently wait you get the episode you always wanted! Always great to see a e36 update :)
We love to see it
Only buy pre-1985 BMWs... 2002s are a ton more fun to work on... even with 50 years of rusty parts to deal with.
I friggin love SuperfastMatt. I'm ready for a collab.
Love the e36 episodes. Currently working to get my e39 back on the road after about 7 years of neglect so this is great motivation
I love Fireball Tool's 1,500 lbs floor vice
I love Fireball Tool!
Hold up, a way I can adjust my rear springs without stripping out my shock bolt threads on the trailing arm?? Sign me up 🙌
This is gold man. Good info.. Also I see in the background your 2022 Sema build. Strangely enough I came across you from a prank at Sema. lol. Then found out that my buddy Jeff at Circuit Demond has known you for a while. Small world.
Gotta love your jab at BMWs ridiculous part/tool grouping system. As a former BMW tech that by far was the most annoying thing to learn lol
they are not the only ones, decades (half a century?) ago, Citroën used to be know for their "special" tools, just for wanting to service a car.
And those tools could only bought from, yes, Citroën.
I used a similar tool on ford suspension. Part number B15 A55 Hamm3r.
When i had to do bushing on a stock ttb and also some drop beams i made a similar tool from some pipe, plates and all thread. Threads strip too but my trick was to use brass bushings and several washers. The washers help the threads survive a bit longer and the brass helps the threads from smearing on the metal plate. I did this with beams on the truck so a press wasnt an option. Not the right way but A way
Engineer here, press fit bearings easily can be installed with that tool you had however threaded bar material and lubrication, lots of it is key.
Shit happens at least you did not give up.
Another thought was the difficulty you experienced could have been due to the gland that the bearing installs into had paint/powder coat into it changing the press fit tolerance needed.
Did you use installation lubricant? or freeze the bushings or apply heat to the carriers?
@stanceworks could you tell me the part number or where to buy the spherical bearings from 3:42
Try some moly grease on the threads of that bolt/all thread on the bearing press next time. Not sure if that would’ve worked tho
Fellow E36 owner here, we all have felt, currently feel, and will feel your pain again 😂. At least when you start putting in the interior, it will (hopefully?) be new-ish plastics and connectors, not 25-year old stuff that has been baking in the sun and becoming brittle 🤞😬
The woes of E36 ownership. At least when you’re done, it’ll last a long time!
If you buy an e36 and plan on doing any wheel bearing or suspension work, do yourself a favor and go spend the couple hundred bucks on a press. It makes many jobs exponentially easier. Those rear spring mounts are pretty cool I want some! Btw you can use front wheel bearing nut socket (46mm -The big one) to hold the bottom as receiver and press in with a 30-something mm it does work but you need to hold the trailing arm so a friend helps.