Restoring The Running Gear On Mat Armstrong's Classic BMW E24

Summary

This is a BMW restoration video where Matt Armstrong removes the rear axle to inspect and rebuild it. He struggles to remove the drive shafts and brake components, requiring impact tools and effort. Upon disassembly, he finds the axle bushings need replacing and bearings are quite stiff, but other parts look salvageable. Matt plans a major transformation for the BMW but won't reveal it yet. Overall it's a challenging teardown episode where Matt makes progress inspecting components, with more work ahead on axles, brakes, and body panels.

Takeaways

• 👷 Started working on dismantling the BMW rear axle
• 🔧 Removed drive shafts, calipers, brake discs and drum brakes
• 🛠 Used impact driver and vice grips to get drive shafts off
• ⚙️ Inspected parts - bearings need changing, everything else looks good
• 🔨 Lots of bashing and hitting to get parts separated
• ⏳ Shorter video than usual due to time spent dismantling axle
• 🤫 Has big secret plans to transform the car in the future
• 🔜 Next steps - work on front axle and continue rear axle
• 🎨 Still need to spray paint outside panels doors, wings etc
• 🎥 More videos coming on this BMW restoration project

Q & A

What car is Matt working on in this video?

Matt is working on his BMW e24 in this video.

What does Matt remove from the differential in the beginning of the video?

Matt removes the drive shafts from the differential at the start of the video.

What components does Matt take apart after removing the brake parts?

After removing the brake calipers, carriers, and rotors, Matt takes apart the drum brakes for the handbrake on both sides.

What does Matt say he will be transforming about the car, but can't reveal yet?

Matt says he has plans to completely transform the car in some way unrelated to the engine or running gear, but doesn't reveal what it is yet.

What still needs to be done on the front and rear axles of the car?

The front axle still needs work, and the rear axle needs to be reassembled. The bearings also need to be changed.

What body panels does Matt say he will be spray painting?

Matt mentions spray painting the exterior body panels like the doors and wings.

Why does Matt apologize for the video being shorter?

Matt apologizes because this video involves a lot of time just bashing the axle around on the floor to disassemble it.

What does Matt say will be covered in the next video?

In the next video Matt says he will work on the front axle, continue the rear axle, and hopefully get to the wings too.

What tools does Matt struggle with when removing the drive shafts?

Matt struggles without having a converter to fit his tools, so he has to use an impact driver and mole grips instead.

What parts does Matt say are in good reusable condition?

Matt notes the splines, spindles, half shafts, and other parts appear to be in good reusable condition.