BMW Suspension

Sway Bar Tip

Protect the threaded ends of the sway bar connecting arms by turning them upside down. Just remove the two nuts and reinstall with the head of the bolts facing down. If you’re worried that the threaded ends will hit the strut, you may be correct, but only when the suspension is at full extension, as [...]

Shocks

I said you would not be snowed in this column and I’m going to try to refrain from being too technical, no matter how much it hurts. However, for those of you with sixes who have decided to change your own shocks, here are a few suggestions.
Rear shocks:
Get yourself a 1 3-mm ratchet box [...]

Replacing Rear Axle Boots

The repair manuals describing the procedure to use in installing new rear axle boots on a 1602/2002 are complete except that they do not tell you how you are supposed to draw the small end of the rubber boot over the bearing pin. The solution to the one-inch rubber hole over the two-inch bearing trick [...]

Shock Replacement 1970 2002

As a new owner of a 1970 2002, 1 am very pleased with the overall quality and performance of the car. I do all maintenance and modifications myself; and since its purchase in July 1976, 1 have become very intimate with its workings, in particular, the replacement of front shocks. This can be accomplished in [...]

Galling Ball Joints

Those 2002 owners who flush their cooling systems frequently may have to replace the center tie-rod of the steering system prematurely. With the car’s wheels pointed straight ahead, the cooling system drain plug lies directly above the ball joint that serves as a connector between the idler arm and the center tie-rod. During the flushing [...]

Bilstein Suspension

Some important information, compliments of Bilstein Corporation of North America. Mr. Mark Anderson, the East Coast Regional Sales Manager, notes that, next to the Mercedes-Benz shock replacement market (Bilsteins are standard equipment on M-Bs), BMW replacement sales are one of the highest, and growing steadily. As their sales volume has grown, so has the return [...]

Bavaria Sway Bars

Your BMW dealer has Dart 71601 104 533, listing for $78.95. This kit includes front and rear 19-mm sway bars with all mounting hardware . Check your Bavaria’s serial number with the parts manager to see if this kit can be fitted to your car. My 1971 Bavaria with air conditioning has had no problems [...]

Bavaria Halfshaft Joints

Those of you who wish to repack the velocity joints of the Bavaria halfshafts should take care to ensure a tight seal of the boots after regreasing. The original clamp does not seem to hold tightly after having once been loosened and regular screw-type clamps are too wide. Try using a VW screw-type clamp N [...]

Air Shocks

If you would like to eliminate the excessive rear wheel decamber and resulting uneven tire wear when your 2002/tii is heavily loaded for a trip, air shocks are an answer.
I suggest Sears Roebuck air shocks for a 1966 Falcon station wagon. I find that these shocks are very firm. much like Konis The car handles [...]

Rear Shock Removal

Rear Shock Removal for 2500, 2800, Bavaria, 3.0Si
As an alternative and simpler approach to removing the three top nuts on the rear shocks as described in the August ‘77 Roundel, page 36, try the following:

Remove back of rear seat.
Remove package shelf cover.
Three access holes directly above each shock will be accessible after peeling back the [...]