The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[Sockethead]

Take the belts off. Turn them inside out and squeeze like this:



If you see any cracks in the ribs. It needs to be replaced

While the belts are off, spin the tensioner and idler pulleys. They should spin relatively easy with no noise or roughness. If they need to be replaced you can replace just the pulleys. No need to replace the tensioners too

Here's a video of a bad pully in my car. You can see it wobble a bit.

[holyc0w]

While the belts are off, spin the tensioner and idler pulleys. They should spin relatively easy with no noise or roughness. If they need to be replaced you can replace just the pulleys. No need to replace the tensioners too

Here's a video of a bad pulley in my car. You can see it wobble a bit.

Yeah, I saw that video. I don't think I saw anything like that, though I might need a closer look.

Is it just the tensioner and idler pulleys that are up for replacement? I was also thinking of getting the underdrive kit (w/o alternator). Unfortunately, I'm not too "mechanically skilled". Maybe I'll check the reunion thread to see if someone could lend some heavy assistance.

[Sockethead]

Under drive pulleys are pretty easy especially if you car is a manual. They can be swapped out in under an hour

[holyc0w]

I read likewise, but I don't trust myself to do it alone.

[GotZHP]

I read likewise, but I don't trust myself to do it alone.

Pulleys are super easy. I have replaced all of mine over the course of a few months. If your car is a manual, you got this! Pull the fan shroud out by removing a pop rivet and a T25 (maybe T27) screw. Unplug and pull. Go slow when wrench so you don't slip the wrench and hit the radiator. With the fan out, you will have good enough room to do the work. PM me if you have any questions too, I have an almost completed DIY (work in progress) for replacing pulleys.

My tensioner pulley was the first to go, then idler. replaced water pump pulley when i did the water pump. Just bought a new alternator with pulley, and replaced the power steering pulley just last week.

[Dual]

What a great series of posts. Thanks to all here.

[GotZHP]

What a great series of posts. Thanks to all here.

Thats what we are here for! Thanks to the forum I was able to keep my ZHP from being totaled out by my insurance company. Rebuilt the entire front end, all new cooling system, oil pan gasket, new ignition system. Almost 5k in new parts on the car and it runs great.

Did I mention I am not a mechanic by trade or education

[holyc0w]

What a great series of posts. Thanks to all here.

+1

I bought the Rogue Engineering underdrive kit, and will buy the idler and tensioner pulleys soon. I think that should cover it and then I can check out the AC and alternator pulleys while I'm in there?

A detailed guide will be nice. This should make maintenance day at the reunion interesting.

[holyc0w]

Is this how the underside of the glovebox should align?

[MrAdventure]

I need to replace at least one front strut, and I'm considering doing the springs too, but I want to ask - are the stock springs in our cars a constant or progressive rate? I had the Touring Cup Kit suspension package installed in my 328Ci, which had PR springs, and it was good, but not great.


Meanwhile, I was thinking of going with the H&R Sport Cup kit Turner Motorsport sells,

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...nsion-package/

but they also sell an H&R/Bilstein setup

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...ackage/?pdk=Ag

Does anyone have any experience with either?