PDA

View Full Version : e46 Rear sub-frame tear issue

scottn2retro
06-12-2006, 05:56 PM
We knew with a race car we'd have to do this sooner than later. So we are taking advantage of the break in the racing schedule to do this.

What we'll be putting in the car: Turner Subframe Re-inforcement kit, some prepared class legal TMS solid rear subframe bushings, new RTABs, and from Rob and Dale at MPACT, some RTAB bushings and the new prepared class legal rear control arms.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_142.jpg

So you want to do the rear subframe re-inforcement project? Well, the rear diff., exhaust and gas tank need to come out. I took the opportunity to hit the gas tank with a little Simple Green (after covering all the openings). Note: it is a good idea, if you know you'll be doing this, to try and have as little gas in the tank as possible.
(as usual, hi res can be found in my photo gallery)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_141.jpg

Then we hauled the car to BMS, where they pulled the rear sub-frame out.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_146.jpg

Result of inspection after 3 race events: One tear starting in the rear subfloor (passenger side), rear sub-frame bushings starting to tear, and RTABs shot. Below, you can see the tear which Herm had already welded and primed by the time I got there. It's the wavy line in light gray in the lower center part of the picture.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_143.jpg

Herm of BMS working on reinforcing the rear sub-frame area
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_145.jpg

A part of the TMS reinforcement kit installed (sorry for being blurry)
http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_144.jpg
bren
06-12-2006, 06:03 PM
Result of inspection after 3 race events: One tear starting in the rear subfloor (passenger side), rear sub-frame bushings starting to tear, and RTABs shot.

:(
scottn2retro
06-12-2006, 06:20 PM
:(

Well, Ralph does tend to put more loads on the suspension than probably 99% of M3 drivers out there. But it is possible on even street driven cars.
Nick M3
06-12-2006, 06:44 PM
Yep, we'll need to pull the rear subframe off my car pretty soon. :)

Also, Scott - those are CRYBABY arms. Do not call them anything else.
scottn2retro
06-12-2006, 07:10 PM
Also, Scott - those are CRYBABY arms. Do not call them anything else.

? :dunno:
Rob
06-12-2006, 07:10 PM
I bet BMW still claims there isn't any issue, too. Cools pics Scott.
Nick M3
06-12-2006, 07:51 PM
? :dunno:
Go look at the part number on the GC web site. ;)
scottn2retro
06-12-2006, 08:07 PM
Go look at the part number on the GC web site. ;)

:lol: :bustingup I hadn't noticed that before. I guess there is/was still some contention over whether there was anything wrong with the old ones. :D
dan
06-12-2006, 08:26 PM
BABY arms
rumatt
06-12-2006, 08:53 PM
:(

:( :( :(


Can we install this kit (or parts of it) so it's not noticible from the trunk?
Nick M3
06-12-2006, 09:12 PM
Oh yeah, and we sure had fun when I showed up at Terry's with a full tank of gas. :)
clyde
06-12-2006, 09:14 PM
:( :( :(


Can we install this kit (or parts of it) so it's not noticible from the trunk?

Why would you care if it's noticeable from the trunk? :?
rumatt
06-12-2006, 09:44 PM
Why would you care if it's noticeable from the trunk? :?

Because I'm all about image.








or, some other reason.
scottn2retro
06-13-2006, 01:17 AM
Because I'm all about image.

or, some other reason.


The repairs that would show on the inside of the trunk would be covered by the liners, but you could get the touch up kit from the dealer and just use the primary color with the clear coat. We have some paint left over from the roll cage paint job.
Pinecone
06-13-2006, 08:50 AM
Oh yeah, and we sure had fun when I showed up at Terry's with a full tank of gas. :)

I'm glad YOU admitted that. :)

As for installing so you can't see fomr the trunk, you could just install the parts underneath, but then you might still have problems down the road. With the trunk mats in place, you won't see anything. And with a good welding job and seam sealer and primed and painted, it wouldn't be THAT noticeable anyway.
Nick M3
06-13-2006, 09:39 AM
I know of one guy who had his rip out with just the bottom reinforcements.
BahnBaum
06-13-2006, 10:09 AM
Do you have an issue if you never actually drive your E46? :eeps:

Alex
JST
06-13-2006, 10:15 AM
Do you have an issue if you never actually drive your E46? :eeps:

Alex


Yes. The car weighs so much that it will eventually rip the subframe mountings loose just sitting in the garage.
iateyourcheese
06-13-2006, 11:10 AM
Yes. The car weighs so much that it will eventually rip the subframe mountings loose just sitting in the garage.

Holy crap!! Hopefully this isn't a problem with those fat pig 6ers.
Plaz
06-13-2006, 11:13 AM
Holy crap!! Hopefully this isn't a problem with those fat pig 6ers.

Just looking too purposefully at those at a stoplight will tear the mounts.
BahnBaum
06-13-2006, 02:28 PM
Just looking too purposefully at those at a stoplight will tear the mounts.

I think obese egos will accomplish that quicker.

Alex
scottn2retro
06-13-2006, 07:35 PM
One good thing that was noticed:

The RTAB buckets on the e46 M3 are much better built than on the e36 M3. We didn't need to reinforce those at all (on the white e36 M3 racer, one of the RTABs just drop down out the car one day :eek: )
scottn2retro
06-15-2006, 01:08 PM
What the repair looks like in the trunk

http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_150.jpg

Underneath, one of the solid bushings with repair above it

http://www.bimmerfest.com/photos/data/3108/medium/Picture_149.jpg