With all expectations there is the very real possibility of disappointment. This is a lesson I've learned many times, yet without hope, or expectations of success few of us would even attempt or realize great feats.
With the recent death of the truck and finally getting rid of the Green Hornet's-nest (the inopperable Cirrus) we were down to two vehicles at the World Headquarters. Having taken money from my retirement to work on the 'vert and the truck (before it was pronounced dead), I took some of that money to continue restoring and repairing the Blue Frankenstein. One of the longest and possibly most dangerous problems with the Bimmer was with the right drivers side suspension, which needed a new shock absorber, and upper and lower control arm bushings. The last week of April I ordered shocks for the Bimmer as well as some cosmetic fixes for the exterior. In addition to the suspension components I purchased new bumper rubber trim elements, front and rear mud-flaps, and replacement "535" and "i" badges for the trunk. I installed the rear mud-flaps after work one night, but reserved Saturday for the suspension rebuild.

Today at around 11:30, with the indespensible Bentley Guide at my side I removed the strut, shock, wheel and brake assembly, not without a few real problems. Two and a half hours later, I was faced with a catastrophic failure. The old shock inside the strut assembly was broken in two, and the lower half was rusted and fused into the strut. Further exacerbating the problem, the original shock piston rod was also fused to the strut tower cap.
Multiple attempts to free either half of the shock having failed, a quick search of the Internet revealed that the cheapest solution available for a new strut assembly is $501.99. Bavarian Autosports in New Hampshire has those and then next nearest new assembly I found anywhere on the web is just a few dollars shy of 600.
In a few weeks I may have $502. Dollars, but until then the Bimmer will stay in it's current, partially deconstructed state awaiting essential and expensive components.

I didn't even feel like doing this side after the calamity of the passengers side discovery.
Chuck Pace ©2010
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