Brace problem

G

g1344304

Member
Hi guys, need your help. I posted about my strut brace mount a while back (it had cracked). The handling was perfectly fine so I left it but today I heard a rattle under the bonnet and low and behold it has completely separated from the strut. Just wondering what my options really are here and would appreciate suggestions. I know it's fairly common, anyone else had the brace crack?
 
I've seen where quite a few had it re-welded. I ended up buying this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULTRA-RACING-3-POINT-FRONT-RIGID-STRUT-TOWER-BAR-BRACE-02-08-BMW-E85-Z4-ROADSTER-/170951074978?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ4&hash=item27cd7a64a2&vxp=mtr

It's a three-way brace. The only downside is it only comes in white, so I had to paint it black. I've had it for about 7-8 months and have had no issues. I have a 3.0i though, so I don't know if it would make a difference in fitment.
HTH
 
I've seen that on ebay and considered it as an option. Does it cover where the old brace mount is or is it still pretty obvious?
 
Do you track your car? These shouldn't just snap. You'd probably notice some handling problems if you took it to the track and tried pushing it to the limit.

Tapatalking from my Nexus 4
 
g1344304 said:
I've seen that on ebay and considered it as an option. Does it cover where the old brace mount is or is it still pretty obvious?
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It doesn't cover it, you'll still be able to see them. I had the driver's side one come clean off like yours did and the passenger side is still there
 
I had exactly the same problem, its a common fault on all 85/86 cars, not exclusively M's. Woods BMW carried out the job free of charge, I didnt even have to pay the excess on my warranty!
 
dmo said:
Do you track your car? These shouldn't just snap. You'd probably notice some handling problems if you took it to the track and tried pushing it to the limit.

Tapatalking from my Nexus 4
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This is quite a common problem on all E85/6 Z4's
 
As SR said common problem. Seen a few of them gone.

Take it to an indy garage with a decent welder and get it fixed.

Aftermarket solutions come later, but always fix the problem else when you come to sell people will walk away.
 
I would suggest that a competent indy bodyshop should be able to weld this back in place. It just goes to show how much movement there is in the suspension towers and how a strutbrace joining the two towers and completing triangulation should help.
 
JHB205 said:
Why pay for it to be repaired/welded when BMW will fit a new part free of charge?
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Is this guaranteed? You had a warranty and potentially had the work carried out FOC as you purchased the car from BMW?

A non-warrantied non AUC car might struggle.
 
I welded mine back, went fine and is still holding strong after track days and what not.
 
I purchased the car privately, but it does have full BMW s/h and AUC warranty. No harm in trying your local main dealer, Woods Salisbury seemed aware that this is a fairly common fault. They took a photo, got appoval and booked it in a week later.
 
g1344304 said:
Tried the main dealer today but they didn't seem to think it was a common problem! Found a decent car welder nearby who I'm seeing tomorrow.
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Not had any welding done for years, but as exdos says any good bodyshop should be able to help.
 
g1344304 said:
Tried the main dealer today but they didn't seem to think it was a common problem! Found a decent car welder nearby who I'm seeing tomorrow.
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Ha ha- every fault ever raised with a dealer is the first time they have seen it...lol
 
I had no idea about the problem when I had my Z4M. I sold it to JHB205 - he must be more of a boy racer than me! :poke: :rofl:
 
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