E46 wagon shock says hello
 

That will be interesting.

http://forums.carmudgeons.com/attach...1&d=1495454324

Not many details yet. Just got a short email. Apparently it was during a heavily loaded trip from DC to Boston.

Who's car?

I can't tell - is it just the mount that gave up, or did the body tear?

No way that big thing pushed through without ripping the sheet metal mounting point, no?

Whose car is this?

I would expect to see fragments of sheet-metal still on the shock if that were the case. BMW shock mounts are pretty notorious for failing.

http://www.rogueengineering.com/asse...m_fail_300.jpg

Right. I didn't think the mount was that big around. But I guess it is.

Mine both failed but they produced a slight clunking first. They didn't push through or anything.

Either way... that sucks!

A guy at work. He has a 200k+ mile, 2002(?) 325xiT.

He is the guy I raced Lemons with. He raced motorcycles many years ago. Just saw an email where he claims that it was an easy fix with a $20 part. :?

I'll need to inquire about that one. Perhaps they sell reinforced plates?

Right, it just needs a new shock mount. And some duct tape for the carpet. :lol:

There are better engineered shock mounts with body reinforcements available.

:lol: exactly. Don't forget the extra $5 for duct tape.

I've come to appreciate the BMW mounts. Most of the aftermarket replacements are prone to rattling. I generally use the Meyle HD units.

The reason why that shock mount failed in that manner is that the lower washer either rusted away or wasn't present. Most likely rusted away, as the mount will usually fail on the first bump if you leave it off.

Just found out this apparently had already happened on the other side a few months ago.

He fixed one of them, left the other, and did a heavily loaded trip with his family?

For real?

It's a lot easier to fix when you don't care about the panel.

And that didn't prompt the owner to check and fix the other side too? And instead load the car down and go on a road trip?

My thoughts exactly.

That's a slippery slope on a high mile e46. Ask Matt....

Ha, but when one shock mount fails, you fix both of them!!! That part's not slippery.

I know this because when my first one failed, I left the other and it failed a few days later. :lol:

(But I didn't go on a frigging loaded road trip. I changed the first one on the side of the road, and was planning to do the other in 2 weeks. It also failed before I got the chance. :banghead:)

Right. He knows it and feels like a fool for not doing both at the same time.

:lol:

In a wagon, it is a real PITA because you have to disassemble the interior:

https://www.glaver.org/shocks_brakes/6F5S4620-l.jpg

Which is why you use Rogue Engineering RSM's and never have to take things apart again (all access is from the underbody):

https://www.glaver.org/shocks_brakes/6F5S4612-l.jpg