BMW 323i M50 2.5

[rob0r]

Somethings wrong! I was driving the car on Friday and need to make a U-turn, one cheeky drift round in a car park later the car has locked up solid... I managed to limp the car 2 miles back to the farm but it feels like all the brakes are locked on solid. I quickly jacked the rear of the car up over the pit and the rear axle is seized, I don't know about the fronts. I'm hoping it's the mastercylinder, but I guess it could even be the diff... Investigations continue tomorrow night.

Previous to the seizure, E21 + Paddy

[arshad76]

Something similar happened on an earlt E21 I had. Had a replacement diff fitted, which started making some funny vibrations and then locked completely sending me into a skid outside Manchester University. Luckily I didn't kill anybody. I'm not in the habit of running people over, not even students

[rob0r]

If it is the diff I will probably going straight to an E30 rear axle, which will be interesting! I have one out on the floor so there's no excuse really.

[murran]

hmmmm thats weird. quickly crack open the bleed nipples on the rear cyl/calipers and tighten them up again. will they turn free now?
diff wise if its locked up theres no way you could drive it. it would just be solid!

[rob0r]

That'd be easier than getting the calipers off, first on my list tomorrow then. I have a hunch that the fronts might have been locked also, there was smoke everywhere and I couldn't tell where it was coming from, it could of even been the clutch stuggling against the resistance, though I don't think it was slipping...

[rob0r]

As a part of the work recently...
Rear adjustable coilovers were designed to spec by TomC. I de-rubbered some original top mounts and modified them to take a clevis. Bolts straight on


Along with previous welding work by Edd, Misky and Dez, I did some welding myself repairing the rusty rear arches, I cut the rust out and "borrowed" some rear arch from one of my field racer/scrappers




I had to fix the mystery broken engine mount/subframe, still clueless how it's broken this badly...






Fabbed up the battery bar for the Dez made tray in the boot using M8 studding and some scrap metal


I fitted these random recaros for now until I get it caged and bucketed, I've now refitted the carpet - this will be a comfortable track car


Capri rear numberplate light, fitted lovely using the existing wiring hole and then self tapping screws to secure. Looks ideal I think. Also pictured are my new pressed metal plates. I had to get a front plate since the last one was smashed and for £26 delivered for front and back plates I was pretty pleased


I fitted this mystery E21 washer bottle I found in random pile of bits since the old one no longer fitted with the 24v engine wideness. I'm pretty sure it's not a LHD bottle as it came out the back of a RHD car! It's lovely and small.


This was really tip of the iceberg! I've really put in the hours in the last two weeks...

[nige21]

Was just gonna post a big Congrats on getting this thing on the road... cant believe you broke the car already!!

any clues as yet as to your issue? brakes, diff, gbox?

[rob0r]

Was just gonna post a big Congrats on getting this thing on the road... cant believe you broke the car already!!

any clues as yet as to your issue? brakes, diff, gbox?

It's true I don't have too much mechanical sympathy but I didn't break it!! It's 100% something wrong with the brakes, I came back to the car last night and the car was completely free again. I took it on a drive and it locked up, I got it back and all 4 corners had seized. More explanation and diagnosis can be found here... http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14135

Cheers Nigel!

[rob0r]

Talk about service... I ordered a dishy suede steering wheel from Ebay last night from Scotland and it turns up at my door at 11am this morning! Unbelievable! £38.50 including postage, it looks and feels the part too. Mcgill Motorsports on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/13-SUEDE-Black-St ... 0631812466

[e21-Mark]

Bargain! I'm ordering one with the quick release hub for the race car. Anything to make it easier to get in and out!

[rob0r]

Let me know how you get on, I'm debating a quick release but I've heard they can add a bit of play into the steering wheel...

[Jason_323i]

By chance my car has the exact same wheel from the same big box o steering wheels

I have quick release it depends on the type you use the cheap ones wobble the decent ones are multi spline and you have to weld the quick realise to the column or buy one that's bolts to a OMP boss but that moves the wheel out about 30mm

[rob0r]

Fixed the brake issues, I'm still not sure what it was but I replaced the MC, lubricated the linkages and changed a bit of servo pipe - no brake binding.

No progress for another 2-3 weeks since my work have helpfully sent me to the States for two weeks....

By chance my car has the exact same wheel from the same big box o steering wheels

I have quick release it depends on the type you use the cheap ones wobble the decent ones are multi spline and you have to weld the quick realise to the column or buy one that's bolts to a OMP boss but that moves the wheel out about 30mm

Jason, what do you reckon to something like this? http://www.mcgillmotorsports.co.uk/inde ... ductId=851

Thanks

[e21-Mark]

That's the same as am thinking of using in the race car.

[rob0r]

I realised today I can borrow the wheel hub from my alpina wheel, that'll do for now!

In other news I've managed to buy a paddle clutch good for 400+bhp, no more clutch worries once that's fitted!