BMW E30 headlamps

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Fox
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Fox »

Andrew 2.8i wrote:With the exception of the ones Steve mentioned and the tailgate struts, I think they are.
Why's so special about the rear struts? I want to get new ones as mine aren't OK but could use fresh ones...

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pbar
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by pbar »

There are two types -

http://capriclub.co.uk/index.php?route= ... h=tailgate

You can get yours re-gassed though, plenty of threads on here about it.
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Andrew 2.8i
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Fox wrote:Why's so special about the rear struts? I want to get new ones as mine aren't OK but could use fresh ones...
Hi,
The earlier struts had different eyelets than the later ones. I'm pretty sure they're not interchangeable. It is possible to buy new replacement struts, however, they are not conductive, which they need to be to complete the wiring circuits in the hatch.

From memory, regarding of your existing struts cost under £40 and is well worth having done if your tailgate does not stay up on it's own.

All the best,
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Stewb28i
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Stewb28i »

I'm sure that getting a ground to the tailgate isn't beyond the wit of man...

Yes I believe that the detail differences are mostly backward compatible with the correct interfacing parts,

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Andrew 2.8i wrote:
Fox wrote:Why's so special about the rear struts? I want to get new ones as mine aren't OK but could use fresh ones...
Hi,
The earlier struts had different eyelets than the later ones. I'm pretty sure they're not interchangeable. It is possible to buy new replacement struts, however, they are not conductive, which they need to be to complete the wiring circuits in the hatch.

From memory, refurbishing of your existing struts cost under £40 and is well worth having done if your tailgate does not stay up on it's own.

All the best,
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Andrew 2.8i
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Stewb28i wrote:I'm sure that getting a ground to the tailgate isn't beyond the wit of man...
Hi,
Of course not. However, not everyone is aware that that the struts serve such a purpose.

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by stevemarl »

Andrew 2.8i wrote: Stewb28i wrote:
I'm sure that getting a ground to the tailgate isn't beyond the wit of man...


Hi,
Of course not. However, not everyone is aware that that the struts serve such a purpose.
Don`t understand? One is the wiper self-park supply, the other is the HRS supply. The tailgate just earths through the hinges.
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

stevemarl wrote:
Andrew 2.8i wrote: Stewb28i wrote:
I'm sure that getting a ground to the tailgate isn't beyond the wit of man...


Hi,
Of course not. However, not everyone is aware that that the struts serve such a purpose.
Don`t understand? One is the wiper self-park supply, the other is the HRS supply. The tailgate just earths through the hinges.
Hi,
Yes quite right, the wording in my last post is not clear. I meant to confirm that the struts serve the purpose of being part of the circuit, as I mentioned in my earlier post.

Sorry for any confusion.

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Hi,
The Capri Club have the tailgate struts back in stock now, but they are more expensive than having your own ones re-gassed.
.http://capriclub.co.uk/index.php?route= ... rch=Struts

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Stewb28i
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Stewb28i »

I stand corrected - one side is hrw supply & the other is an ign feed for rear wiper parking.

Plunger is feed for rear wiper (+12v wiper on & grounded when off).

Either way getting the feeds through wouldn't be difficult.

The struts were being repressurised at one time - not sure if this is no longer possible?

Sure that the new struts have plastic elements inside which stops them being conductive.

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Hi,
I was under the impression that the CCI struts are second hand genuine items. As ever, I could be completely wrong though!

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by stevemarl »

Stewb28i wrote: the new struts have plastic elements inside which stops them being conductive.
Yep, that`s the problem. Re- gassing is still available from SGS engineering.
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Fox »

Oh I know about the struts supplying power but I didn't know that they were a one off sort of thing as in hard to find...
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by pbar »

Andrew 2.8i wrote:Hi,
The Capri Club have the tailgate struts back in stock now, but they are more expensive than having your own ones re-gassed.
.http://capriclub.co.uk/index.php?route= ... rch=Struts

Andrew.
That's the same link I posted. Great minds and all that :D

I bought new struts from a member on here which hold the car up fine, but think I may get my originals re-gassed to make them perfect again, as I assume that, when the cars were new, they 'threw' the tailgate up rather than just held it there?
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

pbar wrote:I bought new struts from a member on here which hold the car up fine, but think I may get my originals re-gassed to make them perfect again, as I assume that, when the cars were new, they 'threw' the tailgate up rather than just held it there?
Hi Jack,
Yes, my regassed struts open the hatch with real force. Presumably they'll gradually loose gas pressure over time, but hopefully they will do the job for a good few years yet.

Andrew.
Last edited by Andrew 2.8i on Fri Nov 13, 2015 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Fox
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Fox »

Where can I get them re-gassed tho I don't even know what to start googleing... The joys of living in Ireland I find we don't have a many decent resources for classic or vintage cars here... :deadhorse:

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Fox wrote:Where can I get them re-gassed tho I don't even know what to start googleing.
Hi Jack,
I used SGS.Engineering in Derby.
http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-stru ... Arul8P8HAQ

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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by pbar »

Andrew 2.8i wrote: Hi Jack,
Yes, my regassed struts open the hatch with real force. Presumably the'll gradually loose gas pressure over time, but hopefully they will do the job for a good few years yet.
Great, I did assume that to be the case, thanks. But Jack?!
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Hi Paul,
pbar wrote:Great, I did assume that to be the case, thanks. But Jack?!
Sorry, I made an error.
I thought you had your struts re-gassed ages ago. What are you waiting for?

Andrew.
Last edited by Andrew 2.8i on Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: BMW E30 headlamps

Post by pbar »

Andrew 2.8i wrote: I thought you had your struts re-gassed ages ago. What are you waiting for?

Andrew.
Well I don't like to rush :D Yes, I do remember talking about it. Must get them done and another ticked off the list. Low priority that though, as the current ones work ok.

Jack isn't so bad, reminds of back in the day, when everyone seemed to be called that, 'oi Jack!'
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