Is this a MAJOR problem or just cosmetic?

S

Shipkiller

Veteran
I was out under my hood (bonnet for you Brits) :rofl: and I found that the upper strut assemblies are cracked.

StrutTower2.jpg


Looking at my manual I think that number 1 is the culprit.

FrontStrutAssembly.jpg


I am thinking that this is a cosmetic issue (still must be fixed) and the load bearing assembly is number seven and eight in the drawing..
Am I correct or is this a REAL issue??
 
Item one is the shock-absorber mount - would make a mess of your bonnet (hood to you non-Brits) if it were to fail but I think that's very unlikely.

Steve
 
I agree that Item 1 is the structural member in this. You can see the three studs which attach the mount to the strut tower. In order to withstand the suspension loads, I would assume that this (item 1) is a steel part. It is hard to tell from the photo, but it appears that the crack is in a plastic part (i.e.; most likely non-structural). I would still have it checked out right away.
 
After lots of internet/forum searches, this is a big problem on E46, Z3 and Z4's.
BMW has a fix you can get a Turner: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/de ... 1717036781
that bolts in between the strut and the car body.

After looking at it again, the piece (number one on the drawing) is heavy rubber with an aluminum insert.

It is an easy fix, but will take a little time. Get the new strut piece, use spring clamps, remove the strut. Replace part, reinstall...
The new parts are approx. $45.00 each. Not sure what the steelers want for it.

I don't think I am in any real danger in the short term unless I track the car or drive it hard (me not drive hard :evil: ).... Most owners don't even know they have a problem until they start to hear a knocking noise from up front...
If I get time on Monday, I am going to take it up to one of the local dealers and see what they say. If they want an 'arm and a leg' for the repair :rofl: , I will order the parts and do it myself.

Guess I will have to get a four wheel alignment after all.....

Update, After looking at my techmanuals, the part no. for cars built before 03/03 is 31 33 6 759 871
after that date they changed something and issued a new part number: 31 33 6 764 947
 
Ooooh, wow, sorry to hear that it happened to you! I mentioned a long time ago in a previous thread about strut towers mushrooming (never thought to see one crack), and that is a major reason I bought my strut brace. It prevents exactly what you have experienced.
 
ovrkll said:
Ooooh, wow, sorry to hear that it happened to you! I mentioned a long time ago in a previous thread about strut towers mushrooming (never thought to see one crack), and that is a major reason I bought my strut brace. It prevents exactly what you have experienced.
Click to expand...
Yes... one advantage of the STB that isn't often mentioned.

SK, if the top piece is cracked like that,
wouldn't that lead you to suspect part #7 as well?

.......
BTW, hands up; who ran out & checked their shock towers???? :thumbsup:
 
Won't know until I get in there. I don't think so. This is due to the fact that number 7 is the Upper Spring Plate.

What 'I think' is happening is that the whole shock assembly is being stressed farther in the X & Y axises more than the Guide Support (No. 1) is able to take over the long term. The Guide Support is made of Rubber and a relatively soft Aluminum center core/sleeve. The Upper Spring Plate (No. 7) does not see that shearing force because it is attached as a unit and only sees the X axis forces...

I think BMW figured this out and updated the Guide Support, hence the new part number.

I still am undecided if I should drive the car or not.
 
NDI is Non Destructive Inspection....various ways to do it, BUT chances are unless you have the equipment it would probably be major $$$
 
IMHO if one part is cracking, albeit plastic then the underlying structural parts are pushing up to create that. Personally I'd nto drive it until I'd stripped and was sure.

Seen far too many struts pop through front bonnets on off roaders and it's very messy :(
 
Looks pretty serious to me, no? Did [b/]curtis[/b] not have trouble with the bulkhead welds on his car, or something like that?
 
Ok, stopped at the $100.00 store on the way home. They had the parts I needed in stock.


This is how it mounts in the car.

100_0313.jpg



Upside down.

100_0312.jpg


The bill for these two was $54.00 each, but the OTHER things I needed cost a total of $480.00

I did ask the service department how much the labor would be to fix this. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: $498.00 :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I am doing this repair on Wednesday. The boat is getting out of drydock and that is no place for us to be.... Going to take it over to the Navy Auto Hobby Shop and put it on a frame lift and do the work. I will take pictures...
 
So did you pay all this 600 bucks? Shouldn't it be covered by BMW, maybe not under warranty but as a safety issue, especially if they modified the parts too?
 
Shipkiller said:
but the OTHER things I needed cost a total of $480.00
Click to expand...
Inquiring minds want to know, did you get a strut bar also? :D
Look forward to a writeup on what all is involved in case anyone else needs to do the same.
 
I did not get the strut bar. But I can G*DDa*N garintee (hillbilly talk) it will be ordered SOON.

The DUMB A** who owned the car before me broke the lower Engine Compartment Screening'. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=80

Number 6.
It's that big flat black plastic piece on the bottom of the engine and bumper. That was $160.00. Also damaged was the right 'Air Duct' that No.6 bolts too. That was $58.00. I also go the left side 'air duct' just in case. So, I figure since I will have the car in the air I will also fix this.

Just before I found the shock problem, I replaced my headlamps with Silverbeam bulbs. While doing that I noticed (can't help but notice) that the foglamp access door in the left wheel well was GONE. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=51&fg=70

Part no. 5
So I had to order that part. That is a special order.... and assorted screws and bolts so I can keep everything BMW (EXFUKINGSPENSIVE)
 
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