Man, I really like that! I just don't know if I want to go through all the trouble of changing the interior color...if my interior were already black or tan, I'd do it in a heartbeat...Ahhhhh!
73 POLARIS E3 BUILD...Slowly..
- Thread starter StephenZ
- Start date
Good Lord...I'm going to start back on my build thread! Been a minute...;-/. So, I've been looking at different colors for the car..sprayed a Riviera spare panel, but I don't like the color in the shade..in the sun, it's gorgeous..but in the shade, it's just so far off what I want..ugh. I'll start posting my color search here from now on. I'm in GA now and have finally gotten moving on it again. I'm rebuilding the front suspension and sub, and have the rear sub ready to come off and start the rebuild on that. Pics to come...
So, if any of the group has experience with the strengthening needs of the front subframe, here's what I'm thinking. I pulled my front bushings out to get ready for clean up and paint, when I noticed it was bent from what I assume was a curb or something..I got it back in shape with some hardened punches, but I saw the loop was cracked. I drilled, ground out, and welded it but thought that the area looks pretty weak, considering where it is located..I'm thinking of welding in a strap type support out of 1/8" steel to strengthen that spot. Anyone else ever see issues in this area on their rebuilds? Seems like such thin metal that could use a bit of shoring up..
The sub is upside down in the pics:
The sub is upside down in the pics:
Mine was bashed up from a pothole. I had it straightened and welded but your idea looks great, wish I could have reinforced it like that.
Ok, cool...It feels like the right thing to do, while it's apart...I'd sure hate to have it come apart on me...
Got a little more done today. I finished the front sub frame bushing loop reenforcement, painted, and pressed in the bushings...good lord, those are a PIA to get in.
Also finally pulled the rear subframe out to get ready to clean/rebuild.
Thought: I pulled the Idler arm off and of course the bushing is toast, but the bmw one is $80 and isn't anything special. I'm thinking I might make a two piece Delrin sleeve to replace the rubber portion on mine. Should last forever and give tighter steering response..
Also finally pulled the rear subframe out to get ready to clean/rebuild.
Thought: I pulled the Idler arm off and of course the bushing is toast, but the bmw one is $80 and isn't anything special. I'm thinking I might make a two piece Delrin sleeve to replace the rubber portion on mine. Should last forever and give tighter steering response..
Here's the idler arm. I think I'll make a two piece Delrin bushing to fit the existing unit. I pressed out the center of the old one and cleaned off the center steel sleeve to reuse. Could be fun to make those pieces quick..
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Also. Can my build thread be moved to the resto page? I think I started this before we had separate pages...LOL
I love most BMW early blues. My new to me back in the day 1600 was Atlantik. Deep and rich. When I painted my 74 Polaris euro coupe I used an early Porsche Boxster silver with a wee bit of metalic. Go with the color you love. My 72 Bavaria has a tan interior. It looks good with so many colors. Red can be tooo red. I have only seen two or three red interiors I liked.
I do love most of the early BMW blues, as well. I just wish Riviera didn't darken sooo much in the shade. It almost looks purple. In the sun it's stunning. I also love tan or tobacco interior. My old 1600 was tobacco...such a nice color.
Now I'm looking at the rear subframe supports. I only see oem at over $100/ea, and still rubber, or Ireland urethane (out of stock) for $200/pair. Would it be crazy to just make delrin bushings for those or would that make the rear end too rough riding/noise transmitting? Thoughts? I can make them for the cost of the delrin bar stock..
i would use rubber - you can put the Ireland 'inserts' in as well. @sfdon has previously recommended this.
Yeah, I looked at my mounts and they’re tapered so I wouldn’t be able to make them for that curved shape anyway..and they’d be sooo harsh.i would use rubber - you can put the Ireland 'inserts' in as well. @sfdon has previously recommended this.
Motorsport version on sale now…
www.wallothnesch.com
Rubber support for rear axle carrier Motorport version solid rubber fits for left and right side and for all models and years of manufacturing you need 2 for 1 car
Rubber support for rear axle carrier Motorport version solid rubber fits for left and right side and for all models and years of manufacturing you need 2 for 1 car
so Don, have you driven a car with these on it? if so, what was the ride like?
Yeah...... My car has adjustable Spax struts and shocks to give me that relaxed old man cruising down the wine country roads look......
No stinkin Motorsports stuff for me....
No stinkin Motorsports stuff for me....
yeah, i'm thinking of going to the KW v3 coilovers (adjustable) ... with not too stiff of springs (2 springs on each strut) as i do NOT need to loosen any more fillings or crowns.
I have a set of E12 strut housings machined for coil overs
I’m still happy to jar some fillings loose..
I’ll have to pick up the big sway bars, too.. I have new bilsteins and lowering springs on the way..
I’ll have to pick up the big sway bars, too.. I have new bilsteins and lowering springs on the way..
Decided to make a new idler arm bushing with Delrin instead of rubber..should tighten up the steering a bit.
