Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
OEM Strut brace
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
Hello there,
I come across an E85/86 strut brace thanks to a friend who had it on his E85 (now gone to a new owner).
I fitted it to my Z4M Coupe and while the attachment "rings" fit perfectly and the crossbar clears the top of the engine and fuel rail with plenty of clearance, the angle between the crossbar and the supports seems to be somewhat incompatible. (see the red arrows in the pictures below)
What I mean is that I can connect the strut towers with the crossbar but only by tightening the 4 nuts, once done it is then impossible to separate the crossbar from the rings (for example for servicing) without removing the whole lot from the strut towers.
Do anyone of you know if the Z4 and Z4M strut braces are interchangeable? Are in fact two different items? Am I making some mistake while fitting it?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Attilio
I come across an E85/86 strut brace thanks to a friend who had it on his E85 (now gone to a new owner).
I fitted it to my Z4M Coupe and while the attachment "rings" fit perfectly and the crossbar clears the top of the engine and fuel rail with plenty of clearance, the angle between the crossbar and the supports seems to be somewhat incompatible. (see the red arrows in the pictures below)
What I mean is that I can connect the strut towers with the crossbar but only by tightening the 4 nuts, once done it is then impossible to separate the crossbar from the rings (for example for servicing) without removing the whole lot from the strut towers.
Do anyone of you know if the Z4 and Z4M strut braces are interchangeable? Are in fact two different items? Am I making some mistake while fitting it?
Thanks in advance for your input!
Attilio
- Attachments
-
- BMW Strut brace.jpg (22.51 KiB) Viewed 350 times
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
- markplant
- Lifer
- Posts: 3674
- Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2014 8:16 pm
- Location: Sheffield
OEM Strut brace
Turn it round
3.0 Manual. Sterling Grey. Cream leather Electric an Heated. Professional Navigation/Sony tablet replacement. Storm Werks . an parts waiting to be fitted
- mac27040
- Lifer
- Posts: 3511
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:17 pm
- Location: Shepshed
OEM Strut brace
the part code for e85 Z4m & non M - 51710305114 are the same.
3.0i SMG Supercharged,19" CSL, AvinUSA android 10.25β screen,DSP,M6 gearknob,Coilovers,Aero F-bumper,M r-bumper,Aero skirts,Facelift front & rear lights,M sports seats,Carbon Steering wheel,Intravee,Rervese cam,Hydrographics
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
Thanks for the responses
I saw the suggestion from Markplant. Did I really fit it the wrong way?
I saw the suggestion from Markplant. Did I really fit it the wrong way?
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
- AndyBeech
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1629
- Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:25 pm
- Location: Reading / Bath
OEM Strut brace
No you fitted it the right way, it should point forward unless the Z4M one is different to the M3 one. Either way, I've got the M3 one on mine and it's basically the same design. If you mean it gets a bit stuck fitting it over the bolts and subsequently taking it off the bolts then I'd say that's fairly normal, it's a tight fight over them and I usually have to give it a bit of a bash with my hand to loosen it off or fit it back on. I'd say normal unless anyone else knows different.
You shouldn't need to touch the rings unless working on the suspension, removing them could knock out your alignment for a start (I should add only if your manage to knock the wheels about while they're off or touch the steering wheel) hence why it comes apart at the points you've highlighted.
Last edited by AndyBeech on Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Z4MR - Gruppe M, Bilstein PSS10, CSL's + 18" CSL reps with semi's, RTAB Limiters, Powerflexβd, PF Camber Arms, K-Sport BBK / RSL-29, GC Camber Plates, Strut Brace, Exhaust valves, custom brake cooling, complete underside refresh!
- tomscott
- Lifer
- Posts: 7478
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:26 pm
- Location: Manchester
- Contact:
OEM Strut brace
The strut brace is the correct way round.
Link to the instructions
https://www.zpost.com/forums/attachment ... 1206237883
Link to the instructions
https://www.zpost.com/forums/attachment ... 1206237883
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
Phew! I feel it could have been an embarrassing situationAndyBeech wrote: βWed Jul 28, 2021 3:04 pmNo you fitted it the right way, it should point forward unless the Z4M one is different to the M3 one. Either way, I've got the M3 one on mine and it's basically the same design. If you mean it gets a bit stuck fitting it over the bolts and subsequently taking it off the bolts then I'd say that's fairly normal, it's a tight fight over them and I usually have to give it a bit of a bash with my hand to loosen it off or fit it back on. I'd say normal unless anyone else knows different.
Thanks for rescuing my reputation on this Forum
I did have an E46 M3 one but it was interfering slightly with the bonnet so I removed it and sold it to an acquaintance of mine.
it needs more than a fair whack to remove the "bar" from the anchoring points, that's why I started thinking that there may be differences between the "M" and "non-M" parts. I guess I will fit it again trying to see if there is anything I was doing wrong.
A
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14790
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
OEM Strut brace
Well I never had one so I'll bow to the experts.
But I did wonder if the two mounting rings were on the wrong sides?
If you swapped them left and right wouldn't the mounting lugs point in the same direction as the brace does?
But I did wonder if the two mounting rings were on the wrong sides?
If you swapped them left and right wouldn't the mounting lugs point in the same direction as the brace does?
-
- Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2020 8:46 pm
- Location: Leicestershire
OEM Strut brace
I use this one which is excellent although the shape different https://www.wiechers-sport.de/en/shop/d ... ben-detail now you've got me wondering if mines fitted upside down!
2006 Sapphire Black E86 3.0si | 108's, ZHP, Stubby, Eibach Springs
2007 Carbon Black E85 2.5i | 19" NAD alloys, Pilot Sport 4S, strut brace, Stubby, ZHP, Brembo 4 pots, Greenstuff pads, Alcantara retrim, roof motor in boot
2022 BMW G80 320D Touring
2007 Carbon Black E85 2.5i | 19" NAD alloys, Pilot Sport 4S, strut brace, Stubby, ZHP, Brembo 4 pots, Greenstuff pads, Alcantara retrim, roof motor in boot
2022 BMW G80 320D Touring
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
will give it a go this evening - if it stops raining!
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
sorry!JamesClements wrote: βWed Jul 28, 2021 3:21 pm I use this one which is excellent although the shape different https://www.wiechers-sport.de/en/shop/d ... ben-detail now you've got me wondering if mines fitted upside down!
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
-
- Member
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2020 8:46 pm
- Location: Leicestershire
OEM Strut brace
Attilio wrote: βWed Jul 28, 2021 3:35 pmno worriesJamesClements wrote: βWed Jul 28, 2021 3:21 pm I use this one which is excellent although the shape different https://www.wiechers-sport.de/en/shop/d ... ben-detail now you've got me wondering if mines fitted upside down!
[/quote
sorry!
2006 Sapphire Black E86 3.0si | 108's, ZHP, Stubby, Eibach Springs
2007 Carbon Black E85 2.5i | 19" NAD alloys, Pilot Sport 4S, strut brace, Stubby, ZHP, Brembo 4 pots, Greenstuff pads, Alcantara retrim, roof motor in boot
2022 BMW G80 320D Touring
2007 Carbon Black E85 2.5i | 19" NAD alloys, Pilot Sport 4S, strut brace, Stubby, ZHP, Brembo 4 pots, Greenstuff pads, Alcantara retrim, roof motor in boot
2022 BMW G80 320D Touring
- mac27040
- Lifer
- Posts: 3511
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:17 pm
- Location: Shepshed
OEM Strut brace
Something not right are you sure this one isnβt the M3 bar!!
Heres mine fitted
Heres mine fitted
- Attachments
-
- 35E7E424-3725-458F-BD04-1EF213D65A7D.jpeg (205.32 KiB) Viewed 263 times
-
- 86398D51-8AED-47BC-9357-3B7571CBC2C6.jpeg (165.68 KiB) Viewed 263 times
-
- DBE1F898-180C-4C8E-BCE6-B83A43B6835B.jpeg (197.26 KiB) Viewed 263 times
3.0i SMG Supercharged,19" CSL, AvinUSA android 10.25β screen,DSP,M6 gearknob,Coilovers,Aero F-bumper,M r-bumper,Aero skirts,Facelift front & rear lights,M sports seats,Carbon Steering wheel,Intravee,Rervese cam,Hydrographics
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14790
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
OEM Strut brace
- Attilio
- Member
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:11 am
- Location: Dublin
OEM Strut brace
Hi,
the strut tops are still in the "original" position: I can still put the camber pins in without any trouble... so it would appear that the strut tops haven't moved... puzzling!
Z4M Coupe, Interlagos blue, black leather, piano black, stubby, OEM CSLs, evolve intake, cup holders...pretty much stock
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive
2019 Toyota Corolla hybrid 2.0L - new daily drive