Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
nfbr's 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Blog/Build-Thread
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
For the next bit, I rolled two jobs into one. Cleaning up and Painting of my Brake Calipers, alongside installing my new Eibach Hubcentric Wheel Spacers.
So first thing's first, I put the car up on the ramp and whipped off all four wheels.
I then removed the anti-rattle clips from the calipers and set about cleaning them up on the wire brush machine.
These have been painted black now, but are still drying.
Next, I noticed how my calipers already had some overspray on them, as it would appear my wheels have been refurbed on the car (Hmmff...)
So that had to be cleaned and stripped using a wire brush attachment on an air drill
After stripping with the wire brush and spraying over with a good dose of brake cleaner, here's how they came out:
Now time to mask stuff up! I tried to mask anything that'd be in the way of the spraying area to avoid overspray
Using Hammerite Smooth Silver in an Aerosol format, I gave the calipers their first coat:
The stuff seamed to coat well, but I still did 4-coats of paint overall to give a nice hard durable finish.
At this point, You can see a bit of overspray on the disc/pad but that's no biggie as I'll be replacing them fairly soon anyway.
On goes one of the wheel spacers using my new Schwaben Wheel install tool (Man this thing is a godsend!)
Such an Ace tool! Screw it in, Slide the wheel over, 4-bolts in, Tool out, last bolt in! Easy one man wheel swap with no faffing or misaligning the holes!
Finally a pic of one of the calipers through the wheel - looks like I'll be needing centre caps when the wheels get refurbed
And a pic of the car sat nicer with the spacers on: 12mm Front, 15mm Rear.
At the moment, I've left the anti-rattle clips off until they are properly dry, so that I don't tarnish the finish of them, but the car is going to be kept off the road for a few weeks whilst I strip and re-build the fog lights.
Overall, Happy with the job Can't wait to get these fogs sorted.
So first thing's first, I put the car up on the ramp and whipped off all four wheels.
I then removed the anti-rattle clips from the calipers and set about cleaning them up on the wire brush machine.
These have been painted black now, but are still drying.
Next, I noticed how my calipers already had some overspray on them, as it would appear my wheels have been refurbed on the car (Hmmff...)
So that had to be cleaned and stripped using a wire brush attachment on an air drill
After stripping with the wire brush and spraying over with a good dose of brake cleaner, here's how they came out:
Now time to mask stuff up! I tried to mask anything that'd be in the way of the spraying area to avoid overspray
Using Hammerite Smooth Silver in an Aerosol format, I gave the calipers their first coat:
The stuff seamed to coat well, but I still did 4-coats of paint overall to give a nice hard durable finish.
At this point, You can see a bit of overspray on the disc/pad but that's no biggie as I'll be replacing them fairly soon anyway.
On goes one of the wheel spacers using my new Schwaben Wheel install tool (Man this thing is a godsend!)
Such an Ace tool! Screw it in, Slide the wheel over, 4-bolts in, Tool out, last bolt in! Easy one man wheel swap with no faffing or misaligning the holes!
Finally a pic of one of the calipers through the wheel - looks like I'll be needing centre caps when the wheels get refurbed
And a pic of the car sat nicer with the spacers on: 12mm Front, 15mm Rear.
At the moment, I've left the anti-rattle clips off until they are properly dry, so that I don't tarnish the finish of them, but the car is going to be kept off the road for a few weeks whilst I strip and re-build the fog lights.
Overall, Happy with the job Can't wait to get these fogs sorted.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- Ed Doe
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2198
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:06 pm
- Location: Ashbourne or Frimley
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Nice work! However the 'after' photo of the car is distinctly sub standard. We want gratuitous shots of the car in decent light
Carbon Black '07 M Coupe: Intrax 1k2 Coilovers, AP-Racing, Raybestos ST45s, Tillets, Schroth, Vibratechnic, Apex EC7, Strongstrut, Eventuri, H&S, RTD, 4.1FD
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Find me a day where I'm not working and there'd a reasonable level of natural light and I'll get plenty of shots
That and I've had no chance to give it a proper clean yet
That and I've had no chance to give it a proper clean yet
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- adam1985
- Member
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Will be interested in how you find the fog light refurb as mine are in need of one too!
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
- Dale_B
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:22 pm
- Location: Northumberland
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Cheers mate, Ruby Black also looks the business ... Have to let us know if changing the diff oil has made any difference. This update has made me realise I need to pull my finger out and get 12mm & 15mm spacers ordered.nfbr wrote:Thanks Dale!
Love your Alpine White! Wish I'd have been able to find one in that colour when I was buying
I noticed many don't bother with locking wheel bolts when fitting spacers?
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Soon as I have it back on the road, I'll let you knowDale_B wrote:Cheers mate, Ruby Black also looks the business ... Have to let us know if changing the diff oil has made any difference. This update has made me realise I need to pull my finger out and get 12mm & 15mm spacers ordered.nfbr wrote:Thanks Dale!
Love your Alpine White! Wish I'd have been able to find one in that colour when I was buying
I noticed many don't bother with locking wheel bolts when fitting spacers?
The thing with locking wheel bolts is that even the good ones are no harder to remove than a standard bolt if using the correct specialist tools.
The way I see it, is if a thief wants your wheels, whether you have locking bolts or not, they'll find a way of taking them. That and I have the most common BMW wheel ever made, so hopefully less desirable.
When I eventually upgrade the wheels and tyres however, I'll be using McGard locking bolts despite my above opinions.
With the spacers I believe most people go for 20mm on the rear. I would say the 15mm look good, could do with a couple of extra mm, maybe a 17.5mm/18mm spacer, but I didn't want to change the handling characteristics too much by creating a bigger difference between front and rear spacing.
Extra width on the rear and not the front translates into +understeer -oversteer.
So far, a total b*****d.adam1985 wrote:Will be interested in how you find the fog light refurb as mine are in need of one too!
The owner of the company I work for runs "xenondoctor ltd" which is a small company based inside Awesome's building that reconditions Audi TT mk1 headlights - he has all the correct gear for splitting the lenses, but even using this the lenses were a total four letter 'C' word often used as a noun for lady parts.
So far I've got the lenses totally clean inside and out, all the glue/sealant off and the outside of the housing stripped clean. The inside I've started on, but I'm waiting for some more equipment to arrive in the post to give me an easier time doing it.
Interestingly, with both fogs unplugged, the bulb out light doesn't come on.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- adam1985
- Member
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
I had heard that they were a PITA to refurb which is why I haven't done mine yet. Am seriously considering getting some Lamin-x and just tinting them so you can't tell that they are corroded inside!nfbr wrote: So far, a total b*****d.
The owner of the company I work for runs "xenondoctor ltd" which is a small company based inside Awesome's building that reconditions Audi TT mk1 headlights - he has all the correct gear for splitting the lenses, but even using this the lenses were a total four letter 'C' word often used as a noun for lady parts.
So far I've got the lenses totally clean inside and out, all the glue/sealant off and the outside of the housing stripped clean. The inside I've started on, but I'm waiting for some more equipment to arrive in the post to give me an easier time doing it.
Interestingly, with both fogs unplugged, the bulb out light doesn't come on.
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:11 pm
- Location: Rotherham
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
You have paint all over the rear discs? hate seeing poorly painted calipers, just take them off and paint off the car, nothing worse then paint on the brake pads
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Wait until you see some of the photos I've taken during the re-furb... Lamin-X isn't the answer.adam1985 wrote: I had heard that they were a PITA to refurb which is why I haven't done mine yet. Am seriously considering getting some Lamin-x and just tinting them so you can't tell that they are corroded inside!
To be fair, If you look at the condition of the discs, They are absolutely shagged... These are coming off in the next 3-4 weeks and a fresh set will be going on with a new set of Pads, So the overspray on the discs doesn't bother me much at all at this point as the car is a bit of a restoration project (not that there's much wrong with it). I think I forgot to mention that in the picture comments.synthedup wrote:You have paint all over the rear discs? hate seeing poorly painted calipers, just take them off and paint off the car, nothing worse then paint on the brake pads
Less of the hate please brother
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- adam1985
- Member
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Spotted an ebay bargain the other day and this got delivered today
Just need to find a passenger side one now
Just need to find a passenger side one now
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
- Dale_B
- Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:22 pm
- Location: Northumberland
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Good find! I am sure the dealers will happily sell you a passenger side one for many £££££
Also, where did you source your extended wheel bolts from?
Also, where did you source your extended wheel bolts from?
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Lucky man!adam1985 wrote:Spotted an ebay bargain the other day and this got delivered today
Just need to find a passenger side one now
Mine are almost done now, not really happy with the finish on the paint, but they are going to be hidden and still look way better than before, my originals were particularly bad
The company I work forDale_B wrote:Also, where did you source your extended wheel bolts from?
Last edited by nfbr on Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- adam1985
- Member
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
You need to try and persuade awesome to sell some z4 parts
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
- nfbr
- Member
- Posts: 722
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 1:47 pm
- Location: Irlam, Manchester
- Contact:
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
I can get an absolute butt load of stuff and would be able to do forum specific deals, however - Due to the policies of the forum, I'm not allowed to advertise or trade on behalf of the company I work for on here, despite being a contributing memberadam1985 wrote:You need to try and persuade awesome to sell some z4 parts
Of course there's nothing stopping anyone contacting me directly and asking about any parts they may be in the market for.
nfbr's 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport Coupé - Car Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Ruby Black - Steptronic - Champagne Merino leather.
I like taking Photos, Cars, Technology and Rock Music
- adam1985
- Member
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 12:23 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Re: My 2007 Ruby Black Z4 Coupé! Diary/Blog/Build Thread
Oh I didn't realise, but will keep in mind when I need a few things next. I have bought stuff from you guys before when I used to run my Fabia vRSnfbr wrote:I can get an absolute butt load of stuff and would be able to do forum specific deals, however - Due to the policies of the forum, I'm not allowed to advertise or trade on behalf of the company I work for on here, despite being a contributing member
Of course there's nothing stopping anyone contacting me directly and asking about any parts they may be in the market for.
57 BMW 3.0si sport Coupe, Carbon Black, Bilstein B12 Suspension, CSL reps & style 339s for winter - Current
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone
10 Skoda Fabia mk2 vRS, Rallye Green, Black Roof, Black Gigaro Alloys - Gone
08 Fiat Grande Punto Dynamic Sport, Red, Dual Sunroof - Gone