| BMW E36 Suspension Wizard - Page 4 |
Suspension Tools & Books |
| CV Joint Removal Tool |
Avoid stripping your bolt heads and spending wasted hours cutting and grinding them off by using this special tool to easily remove those pesky CV joint bolts. This tool is for use with 12-point star-shaped bolts only. Please make sure to check your bolts before ordering. It's common for previous owners to replace the 12-point star shaped bolts with more standard allen head bolts instead. Although the 12-point pattern allows you to get a better grip on the bolts (with the correct tool), and apply the high torque that the bolts require, previous owners may have stripped out these bolt heads by attempting to use a torx or hex driver instead of the proper tool. A word of caution here - these other tools MAY work, but if they strip the bolt head, then you are in for an entire afternoon of grinding it off the next time it's replaced.
TIP: Spray the bolts down with WD-40 or Liquid Wrench first to loosen the dirt and debris in the bolt head, then scrape out any dirt that may be left. With the socket on a 6" extension, slip the tool into the bolt head and give it a gentle rap on the end with a mallet to seat it firmly. Following this simple procedure will hopefully avoid you from stripping any CV bolts. |
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TOL-SK45438 | CV Joint Bolt Removal Tool - 8mm, 12-point Socket Driver, 3/8 in. drive [Photo] [Photo] | $12.75 |  |
| Alignment Tools |
| Whether your simply doing your own work, or trying to tune your car up for the track, our offering of special alignment tools will help you to find the absolute best setup for your BMW. |
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| Precision Camber Alignment Tool |
The SmartCamber tool digitally measures camber and caster quickly, easily, and repeatedly. With the push of a button it automatically compensates for non-level floors so it can be used at home, at the track...even on a trailer with complete confidence. Plus, the module is removable and can be used for measuring any angles including drive shaft, wing and suspension angles, so it is really two tools in one. Accurately measures in 1/10th of a degree increments. Most effectively used with the optional Hands-Free adapter (as shown in second photo) because it allows the tool to be attached to the wheel while suspension adjustments are made - fast, accurate and super easy. Beats the heck out of using an $18,000 alignment rack!
Optional Wooden Carrying Case: Hand-made lacquered birch plywood box with specially designed anchor screws to hold the tool in place. Very high quality and made in up-state New York by skilled craftsmen. |
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PEL-SR1030 | SmartCamber Alignment Tool (12in to 18in wheels) [Photo] | $245.95 | |
PEL-SR1040 | SmartCamber Alignment Tool with Handsfree Adapter [Photo] | $316.95 | |
PEL-SR1001 | Wooden Carrying Case for SmartCamber Alignment Tool [Photo] | No Longer Available | |
| Laser Toe-in Alignment Plates |
| People have been asking for an affordable, yet highly accurate toe measuring tool for years. Finally, someone came up with an idea that is based on the original "toe plates" method, where two plates that lean against the tire and then, with a tape measure, toe is measured. It is a system that is better than nothing, but has real limitations. For example, body and suspension parts are always in the way making accurate measuring troublesome and inaccurate. With the new Laser Toe Plates, the same principle is applied, but an extremely precise laser beam is shot just 14mm above the ground, reflecting back to a target. With an adjusting knob, the laser is guided to the target and once hit, you simply read the dial indicator (its readings are in minutes of a degree; a handy conversion chart for minutes to decimal is included). It also tells you if you have toe-in or toe-out. Completely portable and extremely accurate. |
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PEL-SR4522 | Laser Toe-in Alignment Plates [Photo] | $581.45 | |
| Precision Ride Height Gauge |
This ride height gauge was designed to be used on a wide variety of cars, from very low super-speedway cars to sports cars to vintage cars to daily drivers. Its function is simple and straightforward and easy to use. When not in use or in transport, there is a sliding black plastic bushing that locks the arm in place, this will prevent the arm from bouncing and damaging the arm or the indicator.
Measuring Range: As delivered, the gauge will read from .75" to 3.0". With the enclosed long standoffs, the range is increased from 2.75" to 5.0". The gauge is calibrated so the initial reading you see on the dial indicator is the thickness from the bottom of the tool to the top of the sensing nut (acorn nut). It will read directly in thousands of an inch. One full revolution of the large needle equals one inch. The smaller indicator reads in full inches. The Gauge's measuring arm is a full 18" long and only .75" tall, so it can get under the lowest of cars. |
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PEL-SR1050 | Precision Ride Height Gauge [Photo] | No Longer Available | |
| Suspension Books |
| No matter what job you are performing, you can never have enough knowledge. We've compiled a list of great suspension and handling books for you to read up on while you're trying to figure out exactly how to configure your BMW's suspension. Some books may be special order. |
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| Car Suspension at Work |
| By Jeffrey Daniels. "Theory & practice of Steering, Handling & Roadholding" Do you really know what oversteer and understeer are all about? This helpful guide will teach you about steering and suspension, and discuss why all cars handle so differently. Not a stuffy technical book, but practical information and a straightforward text to help you understand your cars' suspension. 168 pages, 120 illustrations. |
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BK-127103 | Car Suspension at Work [Photo] | No Longer Available | |
| Carroll Smith's Engineer In Your Pocket |
| "A Practical Guide to Tuning the Race Car Chassis and Suspension" Store all the answers in your hip pocket! This handy pocket guide written by racing professional Carroll Smith suggests realistic solutions to common race car handling problems. Formatted listings of causes and possible effects, and problems and possible causes. 32 pages, spiral-bound. |
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BK-129569 | Carroll Smiths Engineer In Your Pocket [Photo] | $11.35 | |
