Engine Bay Cross Brace Support Bar Attach Point Broken - Weld?? SOLVED

[StudioWizard]

Hi,

One of the engine bay cross brace support bars has become detached from the body of the car. The bar itself is fine and it's attached to the dashboard side just fine. But the metal tab that's attached to the shock absorber housing (for lack of a better description) is no longer attached.

I thought maybe this could be welded back, but a welder told me it could damage/melt that area and then we'd be in trouble.

I've seen some high-performance mods that might solve the issue easily. Those mods create a triangle and attach to all 3 screws on the housing/hub.

But if I don't go that route, how would I fix this detached piece?

Thanks!

 

[enuff_zed]

Jock156 got his welded but I think they had to drop the strut first. As that affects camber you’d need an alignment afterwards as well.

 

[jock156]

Yup! & not the tidiest weld either

 

[enuff_zed]

Yup! & not the tidiest weld either

I didn't like to say that but it does show up in your otherwise immaculate engine bay.
[ref]StudioWizard[/ref], unless you can find a really good welder I reckon the triangle brace idea may look a lot neater.
Ask around on here as not sure they all fit every model.

 

[jock156]

Thats what I'm looking at! Ultra Racing seems to be the go to place but they can't confirm it will fit a 2.0L. Their policy is no returns!!!!!

Can anyone confirm either a 2.5L or 3.0L will fit a 2.0L?

PLEASE!

 

[enuff_zed]

Thats what I'm looking at! Ultra Racing seems to be the go to place but they can't confirm it will fit a 2.0L. Their policy is no returns!!!!!

Can anyone confirm either a 2.5L or 3.0L will fit a 2.0L?

PLEASE!

Or you buy one, and if it doesn't fit, pass it on to [ref]StudioWizard[/ref].

 

[AveZ4coop]

Could be drilled and bolted for a short term fix?

 

[j3nks79]

Thats a fairly easy repair for any half decent welder.
Clean up area. Drill hole and plug weld, then seam along the broken edge.
Grind back weld and paint accordingly.
This happens when the car is in the air and the brace gets undone. Then put back on before the car is on the ground.
The force as the wheels touch down splays the turrets and bang the brace brackets snap.

 

[BumpyZ4]

I just replaced mine. The replacement one that BMW sells is much beefier as they figured out they had a problem. Plus they are dirt cheap.

 

[StudioWizard]

[/quote]
Or you buy one, and if it doesn't fit, pass it on to [ref]StudioWizard[/ref].
[/quote]

Yes, although I live in the US.

 

[enuff_zed]

Or you buy one, and if it doesn't fit, pass it on to [ref]StudioWizard[/ref].
[/quote]

Yes, although I live in the US.
[/quote]
Oh yeah. Doh!

 

[StudioWizard]

Thats a fairly easy repair for any half decent welder.
Clean up area. Drill hole and plug weld, then seam along the broken edge.
Grind back weld and paint accordingly.
This happens when the car is in the air and the brace gets undone. Then put back on before the car is on the ground.
The force as the wheels touch down splays the turrets and bang the brace brackets snap.

That's very interesting because I recently took the car in and I think the mechanic isn't super experienced. I bet he did that.... He made some other newbie mistakes, too, that I caught. Arrrgh.

 

[StudioWizard]

I just replaced mine. The replacement one that BMW sells is much beefier as they figured out they had a problem. Plus they are dirt cheap.

What is the replacement one that BMW sells? Do you have a part number, picture and/or link?

 

[BumpyZ4]

P/N 41007193040 these are much thicker than the original. You will also need to order bolt p/n 07119906010. This link will shows pictures of the new and improved bracket. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/mount/41007193040/

 

[StudioWizard]

P/N 41007193040 these are much thicker than the original. You will also need to order bolt p/n 07119906010. This link will shows pictures of the new and improved bracket. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/mount/41007193040/

Is that bracket designed to be welded onto the same spot? If so, how do I find a good auto parts welder?

Also, would it make sense to remove the other one so I replace both? How do you remove the rest of the broken one and the other one as well?

 

[BumpyZ4]

The bracket is designed to be welded on in the same spot. I replaced both of mine (did the welding myself). The current bracket only has four spot welds holding it on. I just carefully ground the spot welds enough to pop the brackets off., just be careful to not damage the strut tower.

 

[StudioWizard]

Wanna fly to Los Angeles and weld mine on for me?

I'll do another search and/or maybe ask the local BMW service dept. Maybe they would do it, although probably charge $600 or something....

 

[StudioWizard]

btw, do you think these performance mods, the ones that are a triangle and attach to the 3 screws on the strut tower, are a good way to go vs upgrading the OEM mounts? Or are the improved OEM mounts best? The triangle set is around $275-350 USD.

 

[TOMGREEN413]

Very useful information, I had known idea this could happen, l hope you get it sorted out.

 

[StudioWizard]

jock156

Seems like it should be done while car is on the ground, not in the air, no? If in the air when re-attached, it could snap when put back on the ground.