Removing sill covers without removing wheels

Vince

Vince

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 24, 2015
Points
50
Location
Bexhill
Model of Z
M44 1.9
I wonder if anyone has any advice on removing the sill covers on my old z3 as I think it's time on my old car to get them coated up and cleaned up inside.

The thing is I don't have a set of axle stands and just wondered if it was possible to remove the arch liner without actually removing the wheels.
 
Vince said:
I wonder if anyone has any advice on removing the sill covers on my old z3 as I think it's time on my old car to get them coated up and cleaned up inside.

The thing is I don't have a set of axle stands and just wondered if it was possible to remove the arch liner without actually removing the wheels.
Click to expand...
You are just going to make your life much harder as you need to start off by removing the arch liners. You may be able to push them out the way and gain access. It's been a few years since I've removed the sills...
 
Had I known that Vince I would have brought along a set of axle stands yesterday which you could have borrowed until my next visit to Bexhill. This is a job on my list as I want to take a peek behind my sills so it would be great if you took some photos when you do the job so we can have a 'how to' thread as I think that there are a lot of people who would like to do this?
 
Vince said:
I wonder if anyone has any advice on removing the sill covers on my old z3 as I think it's time on my old car to get them coated up and cleaned up inside.

The thing is I don't have a set of axle stands and just wondered if it was possible to remove the arch liner without actually removing the wheels.
Click to expand...

refer to https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-sill-removal-and-protection.67/

You need the wheels off to access securing bolts but also when you have the liners out you need to inspect various areas around the wheel arch for corrosion not just the sills. A few of the securing nuts are plastic nuts on fine thread metal studs - spray these up with release agent in advance as they shear off very easily ( wonder how I know that :oops: )
 
Cheers guys for the advice.. And thanks Alan for the offer of the axle stands that's very kind of you and give me a shout when your next down Bexhill and we can catch up for a pint mate.
I think what I might do is take one wheel off at a time to remove the liners then put the wheels straight back on afterwards till the job is done. then at least that way I can move the car about as at the moment there's not much room to manoeuvre on the drive with two old BMWs and an old smart car to contend with.

My neighbours are starting too think I'm a used car dealer lol
 
Just done this on my sons (perfectjakeman) car on Friday. Took each wheel off to get at the liners and then replaced. Only one bolt at the rear that needs the car jacking up again to get at it.
 
Vince said:
I wonder if anyone has any advice on removing the sill covers on my old z3 as I think it's time on my old car to get them coated up and cleaned up inside.

The thing is I don't have a set of axle stands and just wondered if it was possible to remove the arch liner without actually removing the wheels.
Click to expand...

@Vince I have a light weight pair of axle stands I can post to you to borrow if you like.

Tony.
 
Cheers Tony that's very kind, but looking at the weather I think I'm going to leave the job till October now as I want to use the car while the sun is out as the last couple of years it's not had any use as such.

Plus I start a new job tomorrow so I'm only going to get the Sundays free from now on so I'm going to make the most of the car for the next few months and having to drive a smart car to work during the week means I need a Zed to use on my day off till then.
 
I can well understand that Vince, enjoy it as long as you can into the autumn.:thumbsup:

Tony.
 
I have managed to get the sills off/on with out removing the wheels/liners , but its a squeeze and be ready for some pain when you work between the liners and the wheel arch with your hands.
As already mentioned, get some axel stands, so many cheap ones on Ebay ( 3 tonne versions) thats what I now have, I also have the Halford ones but i find them quite tall and the other ones feel better made and are easier to adjust.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverlin...540053?hash=item235bd4fb95:g:Nw0AAOSw14xWL6wr

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands/halfords-2-tonne-axle-stands
 
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