Failed Lollypop at speed.

[Jakg]

It wasn't the lollipop that failed. It was the idiot that didn't torque the bolts up correctly when they fitted the Meyle HD replacements that failed....big time !

I'd be careful with such an accusation.

When I fitted new bushes I got it roughly lined up and used the bolts to pull it into position - not the best idea I know but works every time... except this one. The threads in the body cross-thread very easily.

I repaired mine using a helicoil kit and it's been fine since.

 

[G600]

Flipping Heck, or words starting with F & H . Really lucky to have controlled that mate, glad you're Ok. Got to be a faulty installation that! Is there no locking feature on the lollipops, spring washer/star washer or spring/nylock bolt?

Assuming you use new bolts there's threadlock on them

 

[ben g]

Christ that what pretty violent you done well to catch that Nick! Imagine if you had been distracted changing the air temperature or even something simple like scrolling through the dash menu's (which I do often whilst on cruise). Fortunately you were on the ball!

Glad to hear you and your Z4 are OK. I'm sorry your underwear won't be :lol:

 

[Ewazix]

It wasn't the lollipop that failed. It was the idiot that didn't torque the bolts up correctly when they fitted the Meyle HD replacements that failed....big time !

I'd be careful with such an accusation.

When I fitted new bushes I got it roughly lined up and used the bolts to pull it into position - not the best idea I know but works every time... except this one. The threads in the body cross-thread very easily.

I repaired mine using a helicoil kit and it's been fine since.

I checked TIS. It DOES mention new bolts specifically and checking for cross threads and hellicoiling as a routine procedure, so it sounds like you may be right and cross threading is a known issue.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e85-z4-2.5i-roa/repair-manuals/31-front-axle-front-suspension/31-12-wishbones-struts-including-rubber-mounts/5jtS88K

 

[mark1882]

Now that’s pretty scary
We were travelling up the M3 on Sunday afternoon and saw two Zeds on the hard shoulder, my other half remarked that’s not a good advert but we obviously did not know the reason. We had spent the afternoon going over numerous cattle grids in the Forest so hoping not going to suffer the same fate.
Mark

 

[patriot66]

It wasn't the lollipop that failed. It was the idiot that didn't torque the bolts up correctly when they fitted the Meyle HD replacements that failed....big time !

I'd be careful with such an accusation.

When I fitted new bushes I got it roughly lined up and used the bolts to pull it into position - not the best idea I know but works every time... except this one. The threads in the body cross-thread very easily.

I repaired mine using a helicoil kit and it's been fine since.

The lollipop can only have come adrift due to someones failure to fit them correctly in the first place i.e because the condition of the threads wasn't checked, the lollipops weren't seated correctly before tightening the 'new' correct specification bolts or they weren't tightened to the specified torque.
If you undertake this type of safety critical repair then in my opinion you are an idiot if you do not ensure that the job has been carried out 100% correctly.
I replaced mine back in April '18 and ensured that the lollipop was seated correctly and square over the 2 collars on the body before carefully hammering them into position with a rubber mallet. TIS says to check the threads, which I did.

I then fitted 2 new bolts to each lollipop ensuring the threads weren't crossed until they were finger tight before tightening them fully to the correct torque of 56Nm.
They have been on the car for almost 8000 miles now and have not come loose.
I carry out all the work and maintenance on my Z4 and 3 other cars in the family as I simply do not trust my own and my families safety into somebody elses hands.
If something goes wrong, breaks or fails I have only one idiot to blame and that is me

 

[nick_l]

For them both to fail I seriously suspect there may have only been one bolt. I plan on having a good look under this weekend and hopefully it’ll be back on the road soon after.

I usual resting position while driving is one hand on the wheel one on the gear knob, but at the time this happened I had both hands on the wheel. I doubt I would have caught it if I had only one hand on the wheel.

Lady Luck must have been looking down on me.

 

[firebobby]

At least no one was hurt nick, that's the most important thing here.

 

[nick_l]

Well after a bit of spannering, I’ve got it all fixed. After a quick test drive it felt perfect. No nocks or bang. No pulling left or right under braking or acceleration. Everything looks good underneath, I’m going to take it to my friends later in the week to get it up on a ramp and have a proper poke around. I replaced bolts for both sides and torqued up correctly.

 

[Kierandc5]

Hi nick sorry to hear about the potential disaster that nearly happened hope everything was OK.

Just to clarify The wishbones were fitted with all the bolts, seated correctly and torqued to spec. After I fitted everything I booked car into a BMW specialist too go over my work to which he also torqued everything to spec when in changing the rtarb.