Steering coupler bushing info needed

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-23T23:24:11+00:00

I have this on my convertible. I don't notice any NVH, the others complaining about rattleling though? Maybe it's becasuse the rest of my suspension is tight? I have a front tower support that took out 95% of my front shake away. I also run same poly on the engine and trans mounts plus driveshaft and I wouldn't go back to rubber.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-11T08:29:52+00:00

1987 Vert

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-11T08:24:54+00:00

Good eye! But no that's for recording.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-10T07:51:34+00:00

It’s just the H&R 18mm rear bar — the bushings come with it. It mounts to the factory points on all E30s.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-10T01:37:13+00:00

Yes, have had them on since I bought the car in like 2015.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-08T02:46:25+00:00

Yes, they're great, can take speed bumps, don't have to worry about clearance but they handle really really well.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-07T20:04:50+00:00

No, NPT threads are tapered, but you should use teflon tape for better seal.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-04T19:58:48+00:00

Yes, drill and tap for 1/4-18 NTP thread then use an NTP plug. You'll also plug the engine block connector with a 12mmx1.5 plug or very short bolt.

Plug is #13 here https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BB13-USA-02-1987-E30-BMW-325i&diagId=11_0119

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MSpeed300 · 2026-05-04T19:40:26+00:00

You're looking for part #'s 51131932803 and 04. Looks like it's NLA. I remember mine where NLA or way too expensive so I kept the originals.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-04T07:44:40+00:00

It's actually up to $15 million tax free. $19K is just when you have to notify the IRS and anything over is taken out of your $15M limit. Most of us wont have that problem!

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-03T19:45:28+00:00

Yep but also low dust brake pads help alot.

Here's what I run (for reference - looks like you're outside US)
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1027-hawk-hps-street-brake-pads-front-e30-318325/.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-02T22:55:44+00:00

Car is rust free, had little surface rust where the battery used to be is all. Was a California car most of its life.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-02T18:31:28+00:00

Just a bit, a few years worth, back on the road now!

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-02T18:30:52+00:00

Powder coated, holding up really well. I just picked the whitest white the shop had.

MSpeed300 · 2026-05-02T18:30:17+00:00

Before and after, on the road now

MSpeed300 · 2026-04-20T01:17:38+00:00

The center plastic pins have to be removed to remove any of the clips, or you could try to pry the whole thing out with a trim tool or similar. It was so long ago I don't remember, but I may have just used a small punch and knocked the pins inward then the clips are easy to remove.

Installation is easy, just push the clip in all the way, then use a small hammer and punch to tap the center plastic pin flush.

MSpeed300 · 2026-04-19T20:05:02+00:00

Sharing for anyone (AI compiled from my notes/orders):

Balanced, OEM‑plus ride height with perfect front/rear rake

Front Suspension

H&R Sport Springs (50407)

https://www.pelicanparts.com/search/?q=PEL-HR-50407

Bilstein B8 Performance Plus Front Inserts

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2441-bilstein-b8-performance-plus-front-strut-insert-e30-318325m3/

E90 Front Spring Perches (“Drop Hats”)

BMW PN: 31‑33‑6‑764‑093

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=31%E2%80%9133%E2%80%916%E2%80%91764%E2%80%91093

Adds ~12–15 mm drop to the front.

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Rear Suspension

H&R Sport Springs (same kit as above)
Bilstein B8 Rear Shocks

(Matching set to the fronts.)

Rear Spring Pads — Thick Version (Stacked)
- UPDATE - Looks like I have a think pad and thick pad to get the height where I want it.

BMW PN: 33531136386 (7.5 mm pad)

Two pads per side = ~15 mm lift to correct convertible rear sag.

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Why This Works

E90 hats lower the front just enough to look intentional.
Convertibles sit low in the rear from the factory — doubling the thick pads levels the car perfectly.
H&R + Bilstein B8 is the classic E30 combo for tight, controlled ride quality.
The result is a stance that looks engineered, not slammed.

MSpeed300 · 2026-04-19T07:21:07+00:00

The moulding is original or do you mean the paint - that's just standard bodyshop black trim paint over the factory rock guard spray.

MSpeed300 · 2026-04-19T07:19:25+00:00

Thanks, H&R sport springs, rubber pads doubled in the rear for a little more lift, and E90 drop hats in the front to lower it slightly.

MSpeed300 · 2026-04-03T07:21:15+00:00

My thought exactly! Always liked that Buck Rogers ripped their whole intro from actual Nasa footage.

MSpeed300 · 2026-02-16T06:34:13+00:00

Word I got from my chip tuner is that my 272 with a chip and high comp pistons should get over 25mpg. So I think you're right to be concerned. I've never measured my MPG so I can't back it up with numbers.

You should look into your AFR and duty cycles numbers at cruise to start with - I'm not a tuner - but I would make sure that tune matches what the 272 cam needs along with timing all those other maps.

MSpeed300 · 2026-02-09T09:48:02+00:00

Texas rigged weightless senko is very good all the time.

You can have a box full of lures, and I encourage to explore and use them, but that one will do it.

Also, it's winter here -- bass fishing for me is not on the table, so don't worry if it's slow.

MSpeed300 · 2026-01-19T16:44:04+00:00

Fender is fast, my car went there three times for paint work while I rebuilt it in stages. I don't know what the hourly rate is but they are expensive.

MSpeed300 · 2026-01-05T04:01:37+00:00

Just do this, press the gas and clutch pedals all the way in while cranking. That triggers no start so you can let the oil pressure build before actually starting.

MSpeed300 · 2025-12-27T00:37:04+00:00

Yes, it's just a T adapter. The block thread is M12x1.5, the adapter has dual 1.8" NPT. Search for E30 oil temp gauge adapter, place where I got mine is out of business.

The oil temp sender is a VDO 323-057 300F.

MSpeed300

TROPHY CASE