Strut Tower Problems

S

SonnyZ4

Member
 Driver's Seat
So, I've had this squeaking that sounded like it was coming from in the dash. Turns out it was the drivers side strut tower brace, it was broken off clean from the strut tower. The passenger side is also cracked, but not broken off. Also, those black covers in the strut towers are torn/cracked (pictures at the bottom).

I did a little research on this, and read that people either had it rewelded or bought a single piece strut brace that replaced the firewall-strut tower braces and added a tower-to-tower brace ( http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1840633 )However, as for the black tower covers, I didn't find a definitive answer about it.

My questions:

Would you recommend replacing them with the single piece brace? Or have a good welder reweld it?

Is the black cover that is cracked just a dust cover (it feels like hard rubber)? Or is it the actual guide (which I assume should be metal, #1 on http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797&btnr=31_0648&hg=31&fg=10)

Thanks for your help!!!

IMAG0260-1.jpg


IMAG0259-1.jpg


IMAG0258.jpg
 
Hi,

I have a 2.2L 2004 and I noticed that the strut had been welded right where yours is cracked/broken, I thought it had been crashed ...but no other signs of crash damage. So for what is worth... the weld seems to be holding up OK.

As for the cracked cover ? it's hard to see where the crack is looking at the photo but the black cover is item #4 on the Real Oem diagram a dust cover (hard plastic)
 
The holding points oe the bars themselves are designed to crack as not to break into the cabin during collision.
 
The holding points oe the bars themselves are designed to crack as not to break into the cabin during collision.
 
anyone that tells me a strut brace doesnt make a difference on these car is imo mad!!!! clearly their is significant flex in those areas as this has been seen loads of times...
interestingly i havent seen it on an ///M model..... YET!!???!!
 
The tower to tower brace is not an acceptable alternative to the diagonals. It only functions properly as an enhancement, not a replacement. Imagine 3 sticks tied together with string in a U configuration. The free ends are... well, free to move. Now tie a couple diagonals from the free ends to the centre of the middle stick. MUCH MUCH more rigid!. Now put another stick across the top of the U. Even stiffer. :thumbsup: Now, take out the diagonals. Lo and behold, hardly better than the free ends with out diagonals! If you haven't figured it out yet, this stick structure is almost the exact same structure as the front end of the Zed. :wink:
 
bcworks: the one I found on eBay is a single piece 3-point brace that replaces the diagonals and adds one that goes from tower to tower. Maybe you should have actually looked at the picture!(kidding!) :poke: :D

Would that be safe? Or could it possibly put too much additional stress on the three mounting points?
 
Beedub said:
anyone that tells me a strut brace doesnt make a difference on these car is imo mad!!!! clearly their is significant flex in those areas as this has been seen loads of times...
interestingly i havent seen it on an ///M model..... YET!!???!!
Click to expand...

I have a 2006 //M and the drivers side strut mount cracked at the tower a couple of months ago. £30 weld later and its all good :D also I'm sure I could feel the difference in handling
 
SonnyZ4 said:
bcworks: the one I found on eBay is a single piece 3-point brace that replaces the diagonals and adds one that goes from tower to tower. Maybe you should have actually looked at the picture!(kidding!) :poke: :D

Would that be safe? Or could it possibly put too much additional stress on the three mounting points?
Click to expand...

Heh, I would have gotten the picture without looking if I would just learn to read more carefully. :oops: Not the first time I've embarrassed myself due to poor reading comprehension.

Good question about mounting points. Something to be said for a structure having a little give to it. Some buildings in earthquake country are built on giant damped roller skates so not all the earthquake forces need be absorbed by the building's main structure. The car's strut anchorages strike me as a little weak for significant lateral forces. However, I did finally look at the brace picture. It's a little hard to tell what the member cross section is, but it appears to be intentionally not TOO rigid. Thus I think it's a good solution, for what ever my opinion's worth. Not much since I can barely read. :roll:
 
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