How To Front 5 Lug Swap A BMW E30 | Front 5Lug Conversion Guide Using E36 Coilovers | 025

In this BMW E30 build video, I follow on from my previous successful rear 5lug conversion video by detailing the method of 5lug swapping the front end of an E30.

Here are all the parts I used in this video:
1. HSD Monopro Coilovers – these are E36 struts with E30 top mounts: https://www.driftworks.com/hsdmonopr...
2. E36 Front Knuckles: https://ebay.us/y9oyqU
3. E36 Front Brake Sheilds: https://ebay.us/fEZ8A4
4. E36 Front Hub & Bearings: https://ebay.us/f0ejbb
5. SRS Concept Front Control Arm Bushings: https://ebay.us/wDXY1X
6. E36 Front Brake Calipers: https://ebay.us/gYZVjN
7. E36 Front Brake Discs: https://ebay.us/KV2A22
8. Wezmoto E36 Front Braided Brake Lines: https://ebay.us/5ygYMB
9. 5x120 16" Style 5 Wheels from an E38 7 series: https://ebay.us/j27Krj
10. Appropriate tyre sizes, I went with 215/45R16: https://ebay.us/SGQSdE

Handy Ball Joint Splitter: https://ebay.us/j1Lnrc

I was planning to work from back to front restoring the underside of this car as I went, ending up with refreshed the front wheel wells ready for the 5stud conversion. However, knowing how much work will be involved in that, and with plans to pull the engine to make an easier job of it, I realised that I would be pushing this from 5 lug conversion down the road a long way.

But being the impatient man I am, and being very curious to confirm that the parts I’d collected would work together as I expected, I decided to expedite the front 5 lug swap and fit it the fastest way possible, avoiding replacing the front subframe and front control arms with newly refreshed items I have on the shelf.

Ultimately this front suspension will need to be removed once again to restore the wheel wells, but I am fine with accepting that.

The fitment of this new set of suspension is actually pretty simple once the parts are together start by confirming that you can remove the 2 front ball joints, the one on the wishbone and the one on the track rod end. It’d be also good to know that you can in fact adjust the tie rod and track rod end, or you will end up with excessive toeout with this conversion fitted up and be unable to correct it.

When you know you can remove the ball joints, you’re free to strip out the front wheel wells by removing the top 3 nuts holding the strut in place, the brake line, brake pad wear sensor etc in more or less one go.
The next step is to take off the original lollipop bushing from the front control arm, AKA the front control arm bushings or FCABs. I find the best way to do this is to lube it up and twist it off using something for extra leverage. This usually works out better than hacking away at it with a saw etc.

Once it's removed, clean up the front control arm and fit your new SRS Concept front control arm bushing. This is an essential piece of the 5lug swap as it corrects the castor created by using E36 knuckles. If you don’t use these adapters you will find your wheels do not sit centrally in the wheel arch.

With that out of the way, you can fit your new front struts with the E36 front knuckles bolted on. Then you can fit up your E36 front calipers and discs with new braided Wezmoto line and bleed it up, you’re almost there!
Throw on your 5stud wheels, I’m using E38 style 5 wheels which seem to give awesome fitment with this conversion, giving a fenderflush fitment. Then drop the car down and bask in the glory of the front 5 stud conversion.

As this video isn't about setting up coilovers, I decided to fit them at the max height these HSD coil overs are designed for, which is still a good 11cm shorter than the OEM front struts. No doubt I will spend hours getting these dialled in along with the rears, but best to do it when the car is with its new engine, so not today!

I hope this information about the front E30 5 stud conversion has been helpful! Don’t forget to check out the rear 5stud swap video also on the channel:    • BMW E30 5 Lug Conversion Guide For Re...  

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