kabal's E36 M3 journal - Update on page 3!

kabal

Active member
did a few things small things last night and add up to a massive improvement, sitting in the drivers seat :)

replaced blown bulbs in the gauge cluster.
installed silver rings in the gauge cluster.
replaced stearing column bearing - this eliminated a lot of verticle play that I had.
installed new steering wheel.

replacing the stearing column bearing is a real SOB. the bearing itself is easy to remove/install, but the snap ring securing the collars are a pain in the ass. there is no real tool that can be used/I am aware of to remove it, and similarly to reinstall a new one.

cluster lights before:


cluster lights after:


no rings:


with rings:


old and new steering column bearing:


"tool" used to reinstall snap ring:



new steering wheel (excuse the incomplete interior, but I didnt like the amount of red on the dash (after changing everything that was "champagne"), so that is going to black next week, so no point in reassembling to disassemle):








old vs new wheel "thickness":

 
S

SP33DYV

Guest
Nicely done Kabal. You sure have attention to detail. :thumbs:
 

Prev

Administrator
Staff member
nicely done Kabal. :bravo:

Did the 4 dr E36 M not have cluster rings as a standard item?
 

kabal

Active member
will post some pics of the partially completed interior once there isnt blinding sun reflecting in all my photos :)

the leather used on the door cards, seats and armrests is bmw oxblood. say what you want about danesh's delivery times, but his leather work is epic.
 

sclass

New member
Wow that's lovely! Sweet steering-wheel and the chrome dial rings :thumbs: although there are many who disagree with them on E36s (stuff em!!)

Are you only changing the snap-ring on the steering column? I was considering getting the entire upper steering column minus the shaft...I've also got slight play and it squeaks and groans from time to time :fencelook:
 

kabal

Active member
sclass said:
Wow that's lovely! Sweet steering-wheel and the chrome dial rings :thumbs: although there are many who disagree with them on E36s (stuff em!!)

Are you only changing the snap-ring on the steering column? I was considering getting the entire upper steering column minus the shaft...I've also got slight play and it squeaks and groans from time to time :fencelook:

the rings on the gauge modernize it IMO, and I like it :)

I replaced #2 and #4

I think my verticle adjustment stop bushing is also worn, because when the steering is set to "lowest", then it does not move at all. if I lift it up however, then I still can slightly move it up/down

9.png
 

sclass

New member
kabal said:
sclass said:
Wow that's lovely! Sweet steering-wheel and the chrome dial rings :thumbs: although there are many who disagree with them on E36s (stuff em!!)

Are you only changing the snap-ring on the steering column? I was considering getting the entire upper steering column minus the shaft...I've also got slight play and it squeaks and groans from time to time :fencelook:

the rings on the gauge modernize it IMO, and I like it :)

I replaced #2 and #4

I think my verticle adjustment stop bushing is also worn, because when the steering is set to "lowest", then it does not move at all. if I lift it up however, then I still can slightly move it up/down

9.png

I'm loving the rings too :thumbs:

Stealers quoted me about 900 bucks for everything except the shaft in that diagram. Seems worth it considering I've changed EVERTHING else in the steering system...
 

Philip Foglar

///Member
Shane, wow this is really looking good!!! Was hoping to see you and her of course on the breakfast run, but I gather still a work in progress, so hopefully on one of the next runs.

Really impressive work! :thumbs:
 
K

Kobus328i

Guest
That steering wheel is beautiful !!! :inlove:

Well done on all the modifications and enhancements thus far !
 
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