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E46 Sub Frame Issues
- Thread starter Inactive
- Start date
i just fixed mine 
if you drive hard you will get them...
if you drive hard you will get them...
Sankekur
///Member
Well it depends on how you drive for the most part I think, also it would seem that the it was less of a problem on the later model e46's.
Best would be to get it reinforced, might then also be a good idea to get your front shock towers flattened at the top as they have a tendency to mushroom, and then have them reinforced as well. Although this is not nearly as dangerous (well probably not dangerous at all) it seems to happen on almost all e46's that I have seen, if it has happened I would fix it as it irritates me know it is like that.
Best would be to get it reinforced, might then also be a good idea to get your front shock towers flattened at the top as they have a tendency to mushroom, and then have them reinforced as well. Although this is not nearly as dangerous (well probably not dangerous at all) it seems to happen on almost all e46's that I have seen, if it has happened I would fix it as it irritates me know it is like that.
Philip Foglar
///Member
I believe this was a problem with the 328i and the early 330i, but in most cases fixable - probably best to have it reinforced before fractures form or get out of hand!
you can glue the plates on before you have fractures then you dont damage the rust proofing inside the body... I glued the front plates in on mine and welded the back ones because i already had rips at the back so i had to weld there anyway...
the glue i used if for bonding metal on race cars and aircraft (all the dakar cars are now glued not welded because it is stronger) If you going to glue it i can tell you where to get the right stuff
the glue i used if for bonding metal on race cars and aircraft (all the dakar cars are now glued not welded because it is stronger) If you going to glue it i can tell you where to get the right stuff
Sankekur
///Member
I would have been a bit sceptical about the whole gluing thing, but I have actually seen it done a couple of times now where suspension parts and mounts are glued on, and I have to say I would also rather go this way as if you have it welded you always have the chance of it rusting
because of the surface area the glue is stronger... also heating the metal changes its properties and make the metal weaker after the weld... for this job glue is the best way to go... it has been proven for decades in the aeronautics industry... now that its cheaper motorsport is using it too :rollsmile:
if you find me a car that competed in the dakar this year that was not glued together that says alot...
you can weld it but it will work out more expensive, weaker and you damage the rust proofing... there is no way i would have welded if i did not have to...
if you find me a car that competed in the dakar this year that was not glued together that says alot...
you can weld it but it will work out more expensive, weaker and you damage the rust proofing... there is no way i would have welded if i did not have to...
just take the left back wheel off and look the cracks always start from that mound... mine ripped out and the bolt could move in and out about 5mm but there were no cracks at any of the other mounting points...
so if you take the wheel off and rub off the dirt you should easily see if there are cracks...
so if you take the wheel off and rub off the dirt you should easily see if there are cracks...
Mine ripped out about a year ago. Had it reinforced.
tarintino said:
have not seen it on the touring but maybe they not driven as hard as most sedans
i would just check it out every time i change tires... face lift models also dont crack very easily but i have seen that it does happen...
andrewbuch
///Member
Do you think a 318i would have enough power to rip the subframe?
Can we get a pic up of where we should check??
Can we get a pic up of where we should check??
given enough time im guessing and hard launches Im guessing a 318i will also get cracks seeing as generally someone that buys a 318i wont be interested in doing that i dont think its very common...
this is what the subframe mount look like look for cracks coming from under the rubber mount...
hopefully you dont find this :rollsmile:
its really easy to see the cracks with the left side wheel off... you can crawl under the car if you dont want to do that just bring some light with you so you can see whats going on...
this is what the subframe mount look like look for cracks coming from under the rubber mount...
hopefully you dont find this :rollsmile:
its really easy to see the cracks with the left side wheel off... you can crawl under the car if you dont want to do that just bring some light with you so you can see whats going on...
andrewbuch
///Member
Cool.. I think my 318i might get them cracks.. Sometimes it gets launched HARD One day I was trying to outlaunch De@no in his 320i &was not watching my refs as I was watching the robot.. think I launched at over 5000rpm the tires did not like it but I got a good launch
Will have to check when I get my car back
the tires did not like it but I got a good launch Will have to check when I get my car back
Next to the exhaust box you can see where it ripped out
dont worry you will hear and feel it way before it gets that bad
