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Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 9:08 pm
by FD3S
The last week a noise started braking my nerves while driving the car. The sound was metallic and today that I went to the mechanic, we discovered that I have a broken Tower brace. You can see attached the images.
Should I buy a new one or should I weld the old one? Is it something that will happen again?

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Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 9:27 pm
by Ducklakeview
I've seen quite a few of these, I believe there was a recall or QA fix for sub standard welds..

Mike

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:33 pm
by Mangozac
Either way there's a fair bit of metalwork and rewelding required :(

The part itself is surprisingly cheap though, so I'd just replace it:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id ... 1007193040

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 11:32 pm
by Worcester_spoon
Looks like it’s the bracket that’s broken, not the bar, so looks like it’ll need welding whatever you do.p (*edit* which I’ve just realised is exactly what the other 2 answers say - note to self, read the whole thread first!)

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:29 am
by Vanne
Just weld up the bracket, no worries :thumbsup:

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:26 pm
by FD3S
Ducklakeview wrote: Sat Jun 30, 2018 9:27 pm I've seen quite a few of these, I believe there was a recall or QA fix for sub standard welds..

Mike
Duck thanks for the answer. I googled yesterday for any recalls for the Z4M but couldn't find anything related. Let me know if you have something in mind.

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:41 pm
by srhutch
I don’t believe there has been a recall for this issue.

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:03 pm
by FD3S
Mangozac wrote: Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:33 pm Either way there's a fair bit of metalwork and rewelding required :(
?
The part itself is surprisingly cheap though, so I'd just replace it:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id ... 1007193040
Xaxa indeed it must be the cheeper thing about our cars. :)

Guys would you think the replacement with a full kit of tower and strut bars? I found the following available options for our cars.
The OEM solution is not valid since it is sold out.

Strong Struts
http://www.strong-strut.com/Z4/front_%2 ... rut/Z4.htm

Turner Motorsorts
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1225 ... r-m-coupe/

Cosmo Racing
https://www.cosmoracing.com/E85-E86-MRO ... 54-MZ4-Z4M

Racing Dynamics
https://www.racdyn-usa.com/PROD/196+99+85+011.html

Mechunic
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW ... rs/?veh=Z4

Mason Engineering
http://www.masonengineering.net/Subpages/Z4.htm

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:59 pm
by srhutch
Quick look at those and think they all use factory mounts so no good for you.

There is one, normally in White that would work though but no idea of quality

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Racing ... SwmrlU1OTa

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:30 pm
by Beedub
This has been happening for ages, this is one of many ive seen reported, ive had a strut brace and shock tower reinforcement on my car for most of its life and id like to think this has negated some of the twist those braces may experience ( more the SB) So far so good tbh..... imo the SB is cheap insurance as it created the triangle of braces leading to a stiffer platform. FWIW most the car i see this happen to are track type suspension z4ms.... not really the stock stuff...

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 12:36 am
by Mangozac
Beedub wrote: Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:30 pm This has been happening for ages, this is one of many ive seen reported, ive had a strut brace and shock tower reinforcement on my car for most of its life and id like to think this has negated some of the twist those braces may experience ( more the SB)
Got a pic of your shock tower reinforcements, Beedub?

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:24 pm
by Beedub
Mangozac wrote: Wed Jul 04, 2018 12:36 am
Beedub wrote: Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:30 pm This has been happening for ages, this is one of many ive seen reported, ive had a strut brace and shock tower reinforcement on my car for most of its life and id like to think this has negated some of the twist those braces may experience ( more the SB)
Got a pic of your shock tower reinforcements, Beedub?
ill take a look and see what i have

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:19 pm
by FD3S
Beedub wrote: Tue Jul 03, 2018 11:30 pm FWIW most the car i see this happen to are track type suspension z4ms.... not really the stock stuff...
Beedub thanks for the answer.
bumpy roads here might be an explanation, because I never track the car and I still have the stock suspension.

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:22 pm
by FD3S
srhutch wrote: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:59 pm Quick look at those and think they all use factory mounts so no good for you.

There is one, normally in White that would work though but no idea of quality

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Racing ... SwmrlU1OTa
Thanks srhutch looks solid and serves all the needs at once.

Strut Bar and Tower bars

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 10:36 pm
by TomK
FD3S wrote: Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:22 pm
srhutch wrote: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:59 pm Quick look at those and think they all use factory mounts so no good for you.

There is one, normally in White that would work though but no idea of quality

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-Racing ... SwmrlU1OTa
Thanks srhutch looks solid and serves all the needs at once.
If you had a normal Z yes, but these won't fit the M, oil filler cap gets in the way iirc.