JDm exhaust

You know what I always say?
Start with the cleanest chassis you can find. Every damn time.

And yet, here I am. Under the E90 again. Covered in rust flakes. Fighting suspension bolts that seem to be molecularly bonded together by spite and time.

I swear I give the best advice. I just never take it. Maybe I like the pain. Maybe I’m just a dumbass. Or maybe I’m living proof that rusty cars will humble even the most seasoned wrench-turner.

Seriously—have you ever heard anyone say, “Man, I’m so glad this thing is rusty!”
Didn’t think so.

The E90: A Midwest Case Study in Heartache

People ask why the E90 hasn’t hit the track yet.
It’s because every install turns into a saga. One bolt snaps, and suddenly a 30-minute job becomes a three-week battle with demons forged in salt and road grime.

I’ve reached the point where replacing entire systems is easier than repairing them. That brings us to the rear subframe.

Last time I talked about this car, (Brakes 101) I was replacing every brake line because the fittings were rusted beyond salvation. Master to caliper—gone. All the little clips and covers? Gone. The subframe they clip to? Yep, gone.

The Toe Arm Incident (Or: How I Snapped Every Eccentric Bolt)

I got some slick AKG Motorsports arms for the rear—camber and toe. Wanted to get everything dialed in. Camber arm came out with the help of my trusty Dewalt impact.

But when I hit the toe arm bolts… SNAP.
Not just one. All of them. Like a damn hit list.

I sat there, arms full of rust, staring at the diff like a philosopher. You know the pose—laying on your back in silence, hoping the car feels your pain and offers mercy.

It didn’t.

So I did what any Midwestern car guy does: opened Facebook Marketplace and found a new subframe.

Sacrifices Were Made

Removal went okay—shockingly okay. But of course, the driveshaft bolts were seized into the diff flange. Cut the heads? Still stuck. Ended up slicing into the U-joint and chopping the ears off the driveshaft.

Guess who’s shopping for a new one now?
(Hint: it’s me.)

Rebuild Mode: Silver Linings Exist

New subframe went in clean. I added solid subframe bushings, sphericals at the shock mounts, and bolted up those AKG arms. With the hub stands on, I’ll be able to dial in alignment changes trackside like it’s nothing.

And yeah… maybe, just maybe, we’ll get some spring testing in this year.

I said it out loud.
God help me. I hope the BMTroubleU didn’t hear.

Please Learn From Me (Seriously)

Look—I always preach “start with a clean chassis,” and this car is exactly why. A $1,000 cheaper shell isn’t a deal when every bolt you touch explodes into orange dust.

Buy the clean car. Don’t buy someone else’s neglected headache.
And for the love of all things holy, avoid rust like it owes you money.

Let my suffering be your enlightenment.
Unless you’re into this kind of thing… then I’ll see you under the car.

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JDm exhaust