Strut brace fitted - now slight vibration?

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Anonymous

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Hi all,

Recently fitted an e46 strut brace to my zed. Undid the strut bolts, fitted the brace over the top, refitted using the new different nuts bought from BMW and now find there's a slight judder through the wheel over bumps.

I guessing the bolts need more tightening but did them up to the best of my strength. Can anyone suggest a way to help tighten them further? More weight? Wheels off the ground?!
 
Jad - fitted a brace myself this year and the nuts don't have to be done up that tight - if I remember rightly I tightened mine to 35lb with a torque wrench.

I think i's been posted that the nuts should be tightened to 35nm - you'd better check - do a search.

Certainly not as tight as you can - I was surprised how easy the nuts were to remove - they didn't seem to be tight much at all to me . . . . .

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Would they not have a specific torque rating rather than just doing them up tight?

I have sheared those nuts before over tightening a brace.

Should be fitted on flat surface with wheels straight, don't think anything else is required.

Shudder might be from the increased stiffness rather than the body simply flexing.
 
paulgs1000 said:
Jad - fitted a brace myself this year and the nuts don't have to be done up that tight - if I remember rightly I tightened mine to 35lb with a torque wrench.

I think i's been posted that the nuts should be tightened to 35nm - you'd better check - do a search.

Certainly not as tight as you can - I was surprised how easy the nuts were to remove - they didn't seem to be tight much at all to me . . . . .

:driving: :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks mate - perhaps it's over tightened then. I'll get out to halfrauds and get a torque wrench tomorrow!
 
mj2k said:
Would they not have a specific torque rating rather than just doing them up tight?

I have sheared those nuts before over tightening a brace.

Should be fitted on flat surface with wheels straight, don't think anything else is required.

Shudder might be from the increased stiffness rather than the body simply flexing.
Click to expand...

Fair points all, Mj2k. Hadn't thought about the added stiffness.
 
your very lucky you didn't snap the bolts, these need 35nm max.... infact i don't like Tqing them to 35!
 
Beedub said:
your very lucky you didn't snap the bolts, these need 35nm max.... infact i don't like Tqing them to 35!
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Appreciate the advice Beedub.
 
I've snapped top mount bolts in the past at 31nm, they really aren't 'structural' bolts like you would expect.

My Cooper S was 31, and it didn't feel tight enough but snapped.

Avoided doing anything on my JCW and one still randomly sheared just before selling it :headbang:
 
Did you remove the camber pins. The E46 brace foul on these if not removed or reduced in height. THis could cause your issues if it isn't sitting flat.
 
srhutch said:
Did you remove the camber pins. The E46 brace foul on these if not removed or reduced in height. THis could cause your issues if it isn't sitting flat.
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I did indeed chap. I only had one on there (drivers side) so took it out - actually after your advice about the e46 strut I think? Either way thanks for the input here.
 
Hey JAD - just checked out a unit converter and found:

35 nm is only 25 ftlbs - looks like I've over tightened my strut brace nuts so go easy with your nuts! :cry:

Don't forget to add some locktite

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
So basic update to this - I'd tightened them as much as I could originally but only at difficult angles with a spanner... I know I know, the right tools etc!

Bought a torque wrench and some new attachments today (good old B&Q had a sale on too so easily saved 50%!). Set the torque wrench to 33 just in case and was very careful. Suffices to say the nuts were nothing like tight so that's presumably where the movement was coming from.

Not going to be able to take her out until next Saturday now but fingers crossed! Thanks to all above for the advice :thumbs:
 
I'm guessing your alignment will be out now as the tops will have moved so would be worth getting it checked.
 
srhutch said:
I'm guessing your alignment will be out now as the tops will have moved so would be worth getting it checked.
Click to expand...

Read my mind buddy. Will do. Thanks again!
 
mr wilks said:
So why didn't the M boffins fit one from factory :?
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Sorry, Andy - missed this.

Not a clue my friend. But safe to say the car is significantly tighter in corners now. It skips through the steering wheel a little more over bumps in corners, but feels brilliant... now I've fitted it properly :oops:
 
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