Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Rear subframe strengthening

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #16
    My advice would be to use one person to make up the plating in the style of the Randy F kit and then fit it, it's all fabrication work.

    That's what we did with mine, pics show one way of doing it (full pics spread across two pages)

    https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showt...t=20799&page=5

    https://www.z3mcoupe.com/forum/showt...t=20799&page=6

    I think the motorsport angle is a good one, there will be quite a few places used to re-inforcing and or seam welding shells, fabricating roll cages etc, they might be the people to look for.
    Last edited by urquattrogus; 02-02-2021, 09:37 PM.

    Comment


    • #17
      Originally posted by urquattrogus View Post
      I think the motorsport angle is a good one, there will be quite a few places used to re-inforcing and or seam welding shells, fabricating roll cages etc, they might be the people to look for.
      Yeah absolutely my train of thought also. I very much suspect that either Track Torque or JC Racing will see my car heading their way (both Yorkshire based)
      Not actually in the least bit fat

      2000 S50 Titanium Silver / Black
      ACS Suspension, Exhaust & Type III Wheels
      Simota carbon air intake | Strong Strut Front Brace

      Comment


      • #18
        JC Racing aren't really interested in taking this sort of work on, but they've recommended https://hh-ms.com/ as somebody worth contacting.

        I'm not sure where you're based Sonu, but maybe less distance for you to travel than up to Yorkshire anyway, so might be worth looking in to?
        Not actually in the least bit fat

        2000 S50 Titanium Silver / Black
        ACS Suspension, Exhaust & Type III Wheels
        Simota carbon air intake | Strong Strut Front Brace

        Comment


        • #19
          Cheers Tony, will check

          Comment


          • #20
            So it turns out that Track Torque didn't spot the 'Z3' component of my email and assumed the repair work was for an M3 Coupe, so there quote was to fit a pre-fabricated kit readily available for the M3s rather than making up the components themselves. I'll be taking my car in for them to have a nosey once all the snow and road salt has disappeared.

            Meanwhile, I've just contacted Harry Hockly Motorsport to enquire so will post up what transpires there once I hear back

            There's a killing to be made if somebody in the UK starts fabricating reinforcement kits and also offering fitment ha
            Not actually in the least bit fat

            2000 S50 Titanium Silver / Black
            ACS Suspension, Exhaust & Type III Wheels
            Simota carbon air intake | Strong Strut Front Brace

            Comment


            • #21
              Long shot but maybe someone can get a batch of parts laser cut, the guy on the roadster forum who made the fuel tank straps maybe??? Roadster folk also suffer the same problem??

              Comment


              • #22
                Its not expensive to get metal laser cut but someone needs to do the hard work of working out whats needed.

                Comment


                • #23
                  I repaired mine last year during the Christmas holiday period .The job is not as bad as it sounds I think the most fiddly bit was getting the correct set in the steel strengthening piece that you plug weld into the bottom of the box section (make a paper template) but other than that its basic welding, fabricating and spanner work.

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Just found this video on youtube, not seen the subframe strengthening done this way, all external, not cutting through the boot, what do you guys think? bodge or good idea?
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777i70G6qfw

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Originally posted by the badger View Post
                      Just found this video on youtube, not seen the subframe strengthening done this way, all external, not cutting through the boot, what do you guys think? bodge or good idea?
                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=777i70G6qfw
                      I think the general consensus is 'sub-optimal'. Lots of discussion here: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-strengthening
                      1998 ///M Coupe

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Try ETA motorsport who do a lot of e46 m3’s which have a similar build quality issue

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Not impressed with the Wheeler Dealer video.
                          With the exception of a stronger diff mount it shows they don't really 'get' the problem.

                          I think that I was lucky when I removed my rear subframe, diff & axle complete to sort rust on the body & chassis. What I found under the surface rust was very sound chassis rails with just one tiny crack in the diff mounting & one pulled spot weld. The cross body chassis rail around the diff mount plates had numerous weld runs (gas or mig, hard to tell). These almost looked original, as if the BMW knew the problem and added these to strengthen things up during (or soon after) production. Mines a '99 S50 by the way, it would be interesting to know if anyone else found these extra welds on their vehicles.

                          I helped a friend many years ago weld up stone damage rips & tears on an original mk1 Escort AVO rally shell. Looking underneath at the time It struck me that apart from the floor being cut out & raised an inch or so for ground clearance, the only real difference was that all the floor to chassis joints had been seam welded. Apparently this increases the body strength & rigidity by a HUGE margin.
                          I did consider that this may be a good starting point for the rear end of the Coupe chassis. Unfortunately my welding skills (& kit) have diminished over the years & I didn't fancy stripping out the interior as well, so just cleaned it all up & coated everything with epoxy mastic paint. Just a thought on the subject.

                          I did however fit poly bushes to the subframe & a new standard diff rubber mount. This has certainly reduced movement (the animated drawings are very illuminating!!) & may just save me from future problems.

                          Comment

                          Working...
                          X