Strut Bar and Tower bars

[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?

 

[Ducklakeview]

I've seen quite a few of these, I believe there was a recall or QA fix for sub standard welds..

Mike

 

[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=BT92-EUR-03-2006-E85-BMW-Z4_M32&mg=41&sg=10&diagId=41_1449&q=41007193040

 

[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!)

 

[Vanne]

Just weld up the bracket, no worries

 

[FD3S]

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.

 

[srhutch]

I don’t believe there has been a recall for this issue.

 

[FD3S]

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=BT92-EUR-03-2006-E85-BMW-Z4_M32&mg=41&sg=10&diagId=41_1449&q=41007193040

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_ strong_ strut/Z4.htm

Turner Motorsorts
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-12259-turner-front-strut-brace-e85e86-z4-m-roadster-m-coupe/

Cosmo Racing
https://www.cosmoracing.com/E85-E86-MROADSTER-MCOUPE-2005-2008-3.2L-S54-MZ4-Z4M

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

Mechunic
https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Performance/Handling/Strut-Bars/?veh=Z4

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

 

[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-Front-Strut-Brace-BMW-Z4-E85-2-5-2002-2008-TW3-1175/271339729937?epid=1125299442&hash=item3f2d1bb411:g:wrEAAOSwmrlU1OTa

 

[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...

 

[Mangozac]

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?

 

[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)

Got a pic of your shock tower reinforcements, Beedub?

ill take a look and see what i have

 

[FD3S]

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.

 

[FD3S]

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-Front-Strut-Brace-BMW-Z4-E85-2-5-2002-2008-TW3-1175/271339729937?epid=1125299442&hash=item3f2d1bb411:g:wrEAAOSwmrlU1OTa

Thanks srhutch looks solid and serves all the needs at once.

 

[TomK]

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-Front-Strut-Brace-BMW-Z4-E85-2-5-2002-2008-TW3-1175/271339729937?epid=1125299442&hash=item3f2d1bb411:g:wrEAAOSwmrlU1OTa

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.

 

[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-Front-Strut-Brace-BMW-Z4-E85-2-5-2002-2008-TW3-1175/271339729937?epid=1125299442&hash=item3f2d1bb411:g:wrEAAOSwmrlU1OTa

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.

Think that’s the N52 that has that issue. Same with factory brace, which is fine on S54 but covers the oil cap on N52.

 

[TomK]

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.

Think that’s the N52 that has that issue. Same with factory brace, which is fine on S54 but covers the oil cap on N52.

Not sure, I just know when I tried one on my car it didn't fit.
Note that brace is dead straight from tower to tower, whereas the factory one curves and thus avoids the oil filler cap on the S54.

 

[wyshyvanuk]

Slightly off topic. Just reviewed my strut braces expecting to see two bolts attaching the braces to the strut tower. Car was manufactured in 10/2007, Z4M Roadster. Alas, passenger side has the bolt, but driver’s side has the nut. LHD configuration. No evidence of accident damage. Has anyone else been the victim of this dimorphic aberration?
Also, will attaching a brace across the strut towers act, among other things, to reduce the stress on the original strut tower to firewall braces? Thanks for any insight!,

 

[FD3S]

Slightly off topic. Just reviewed my strut braces expecting to see two bolts attaching the braces to the strut tower. Car was manufactured in 10/2007, Z4M Roadster. Alas, passenger side has the bolt, but driver’s side has the nut. LHD configuration. No evidence of accident damage. Has anyone else been the victim of this dimorphic aberration?
Also, will attaching a brace across the strut towers act, among other things, to reduce the stress on the original strut tower to firewall braces? Thanks for any insight!,

Some photos would help about it.

 

[srhutch]

Slightly off topic. Just reviewed my strut braces expecting to see two bolts attaching the braces to the strut tower. Car was manufactured in 10/2007, Z4M Roadster. Alas, passenger side has the bolt, but driver’s side has the nut. LHD configuration. No evidence of accident damage. Has anyone else been the victim of this dimorphic aberration?
Also, will attaching a brace across the strut towers act, among other things, to reduce the stress on the original strut tower to firewall braces? Thanks for any insight!,

This rings a bell. Somebody else reported similar from memory.