STL Avus M3
11-17-2003, 01:36 AM
This is sort of a spam post, but I am too tired to type something else up.
Since my Motorsport brace and X-brace arrived at my house last week, I decided to come home from school and install them. Right off the bat, I ran into problems. I pulled the car into the garage and line up the wheels so they were pointing straight. I popped the hood and took of the little caps on the tower. I then took off the bolts and adjust the brace to the right length. Once that was done, I tried to put it on, but it would fit. Try and try as a I might, I could get the hole to line up on the right tower. It appeared that the bolt facing toward the engine wasn't at the same angle as the others. I could get the holes to line up on the left side, but not the right. Does anybody have any idea why one of the bolts would be off? The car has been in an accident that I am aware of. I know the previous owner had new shocks put on, could one of the bolts been knocked cock-eyed during that?
After I couldn't get the brace on, I went out for a spin on a country road to vent. I came up to a stop sign and decided to drop the hammer. I hadn't done it yet because I was leary of breaking something. Well, I reved it to like 3k and let go of the clutch. I heard the tires squeal and then the rev started to climb while the car barely moved. My first thought was that I totally killed the clutch, but after I coasted a little bit, I put it into gear and drove away. I am guessing I crippled the thing, but it still has a little bit left. On top of all this, I need to get a new radiator because the original has 80k+ miles on it.
The Brief:
1. Motorsport Brace won't fit because one of the strut bolts is crocked. WTF? and How can I fix it?
2. I think I maimed my clutch. I am going to search for info, but what clutch should I get and should I get a lightened flywheel? I am guessing I should get the E39 M5 clutch, but what are my options? I need to find that thread discussing the flywheels too.
3. New radiator. I was thinking about getting the Zionsville aluminum one. Should I get the accesory kit? My car has the new pump with the metal impeller. Should I get new hoses?
4. Since I need to get the radiator taken out, should I get some new pulley? Are they worth the money?
5. How much labor do you think this will cost me?
Can anybody name a good mechanic in the St Louis area, preferably West County or farther west?
Ponq: I haven't emailed you since I was going to look at radiator options before I got anything. If you have any ideas why the brace wouldn't fit, let my know and if you are available over Thanksgiving, Ill drive to your house so you can check it out. I need to install my X Brace, but was too pissed about the the strut brace to mess with it.
Thanks
Since my Motorsport brace and X-brace arrived at my house last week, I decided to come home from school and install them. Right off the bat, I ran into problems. I pulled the car into the garage and line up the wheels so they were pointing straight. I popped the hood and took of the little caps on the tower. I then took off the bolts and adjust the brace to the right length. Once that was done, I tried to put it on, but it would fit. Try and try as a I might, I could get the hole to line up on the right tower. It appeared that the bolt facing toward the engine wasn't at the same angle as the others. I could get the holes to line up on the left side, but not the right. Does anybody have any idea why one of the bolts would be off? The car has been in an accident that I am aware of. I know the previous owner had new shocks put on, could one of the bolts been knocked cock-eyed during that?
After I couldn't get the brace on, I went out for a spin on a country road to vent. I came up to a stop sign and decided to drop the hammer. I hadn't done it yet because I was leary of breaking something. Well, I reved it to like 3k and let go of the clutch. I heard the tires squeal and then the rev started to climb while the car barely moved. My first thought was that I totally killed the clutch, but after I coasted a little bit, I put it into gear and drove away. I am guessing I crippled the thing, but it still has a little bit left. On top of all this, I need to get a new radiator because the original has 80k+ miles on it.
The Brief:
1. Motorsport Brace won't fit because one of the strut bolts is crocked. WTF? and How can I fix it?
2. I think I maimed my clutch. I am going to search for info, but what clutch should I get and should I get a lightened flywheel? I am guessing I should get the E39 M5 clutch, but what are my options? I need to find that thread discussing the flywheels too.
3. New radiator. I was thinking about getting the Zionsville aluminum one. Should I get the accesory kit? My car has the new pump with the metal impeller. Should I get new hoses?
4. Since I need to get the radiator taken out, should I get some new pulley? Are they worth the money?
5. How much labor do you think this will cost me?
Can anybody name a good mechanic in the St Louis area, preferably West County or farther west?
Ponq: I haven't emailed you since I was going to look at radiator options before I got anything. If you have any ideas why the brace wouldn't fit, let my know and if you are available over Thanksgiving, Ill drive to your house so you can check it out. I need to install my X Brace, but was too pissed about the the strut brace to mess with it.
Thanks