I have bought one of these reinforcement units. However overall diameter of the unit when I came to have it fitted was too big to go through the hole in the subframe.
I suggested to my mechanic that he should drill out the hole in the subframe but he would not do it, as he was worried about the stuctural integrity of the cross member.
I am not talking about a few thou of an inch but 1- 1.5 mm, which seems a lot seeing as the unit should be ' drifted' into place with friction fit.
Have solved problem temporarily with additional welding to original bracket.
Anyone else experienced this problem.
Last edited by sideshowbob on Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I bought mine two years ago and just got around to installing it last week. Piece of cake - removed the old mounting bolt, tapped the threaded metal reinforcement device into place from below (fit nice & snug) put some Never Seize on the bolt and tightened it down. Will get someone to give it a tack or two of weld at some point, just to be sure.
sideshowbob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 03, 2019 11:02 pm
I have bought one of these reinforcement units. However whall diameter of thevunitvwen I came to have it fitted the overall diameter was too big to go through the hole in the subframe.
I suggested to my mechanic that he should drill out the hole in the subframe but he would not do it, as he was worried about the sructural integrity of the cross member.
I am not talking about a few thou of an inch but 1- 1.5 mm, which seems a lot seeing as the unit should be ' drifted' into place with friction fit.
Have solved problem temporarily with additional welding to original bracket.
Anyoneelse experienced this problem.
I had to file off the paint around the whole but naturally it's a tight fit. Maybe your subframe has a thicker coating of paint on it? Or perhaps your mechanic already cleared the paint off (as he would have to for welding) and there is some other issue like distortion of the hole caused by someone jacking up on the subframe? Either way, 1mm does not sound a lot and as you are welding this in place (which you really must do) I can't see an issue, the car will not fall in half if you take that much off.
I actually modified mine by drilling out the threads which allowed a nut and bolt to be used. I could then torque the nut from below the subframe, rather than trying to torque the bolt from above with the exhaust manifold in the way. Obviously I have a right hand drive car, which I suspect you do as well.
Good luck,
Nick
BMW 635CSiA (1988)
BMW i3 (2016)
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (2000)
Morris Minor 1000 (1968)
The hole was cleaned and prepped for putting the bush into place, but the discrepancy in diameter was far greater than a tight fit, and also a bit more than knocking it into place with a hammer.
We gave it a miss as we were not prepared to start using that amount of force !!
Last edited by sideshowbob on Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
tmoretta if you're after one then I have a spare. I got a second one from Ron after the first was lost in the post, which then turned up much later (AusPost ). Let me know if you want it and I will send it postage cost only.
1986 635csi LOCUTUS / Arktis Blau Metallic / Pearl Beige / S38B36/ Close ratio dogleg 5sp
2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
Have fitted these to three cars I've owned - the last one being the project car only a few weeks ago. The fit was perfect, but a previous crap repair (that I hadn't even noticed) meant a blob of old weld needed to be removed.
Very pleasing, every time.
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Would like to purchase one of these as my new-to-me (and first!) e24 is in desperate need. I am a brand new member of the board so do not yet have the ability to PM - is there another way I can reach you to buy one?