BMW Sub-frame Defect Class Action Lawsuit - Page 3

Thorney · 09-12-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Nathan_

And to be honest once you've dropped the rear subframe to inspect you may as well fix it there and then, especially if you've got after market suspension \ bushes which in many cases would have to be removed before attempting a warranty claim as many dealers will just blame it on AM parts.

If you factor in the cost of removing AM parts, putting back OEM parts, Geo then putting the AM parts back and re-geo you may as well just get Simpsons, Thorney, Geoff Steel, BMSport etc etc to fix it if it is found during inspection, got to be easier than fighting for a warranty claim that may never happen.

Tis fair point.

thegingerninja · 09-12-2009, 01:54 PM

This might explain a strange clonk that I sometimes get from the rear of the car. I have been able to recreate the sound by reversing into driveway on full lock one way, then driving back out on full lock the other way (as if turning around to drive off in the opposite direction). It is definately not the diff because the sound certainly travels through the shell / suspension. Where abouts should I be looking for failures in the subframe?

_Nathan_ · 09-12-2009, 02:17 PM

Failures aren't in the sub frame but the chassis where the sub frame is mounted, from memory Steve Gill put up some pictures of his failure, worth looking at them.

You may be able to see a crease in the boot floor above the mount as Shimmy said or you may not, my car looked fine until the subframe was dropped but once under it you could see a crack.

**shimmy** · 09-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegingerninja

This might explain a strange clonk that I sometimes get from the rear of the car. I have been able to recreate the sound by reversing into driveway on full lock one way, then driving back out on full lock the other way (as if turning around to drive off in the opposite direction). It is definately not the diff because the sound certainly travels through the shell / suspension. Where abouts should I be looking for failures in the subframe?

the 'golf ball in the boot' noise i think if memory serves me well is the rear top mounts?

DuncanR · 09-12-2009, 04:46 PM

Gingerninja, check the height of the little thingy in the middle of the driveway that you hold the gates shut with mate !!!

DuncanR · 09-12-2009, 04:47 PM

Thorney, looks my list is growing ever longer mate

!!
See you on the morrow as agreed.

**AlexGTT** · 11-12-2009, 10:38 AM

Steve's original thread here with lots of useful photo's and detail info on repair:

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/sho...ghlight=cracks

The Gorilla · 12-12-2009, 11:04 AM

Hi,

Turners have been selling this
kit for several years now.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html..._ID=TDR4675412

Its more common in Cabrio's than Coupes
but can really tear up the underside of the
boot floor, once it starts.

Very poor original BMW design.

Shows how much 'M' cars have become
pure bolt on.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

NZ_M3 · 12-12-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gorilla

Its more common in Cabrio's than Coupes
but can really tear up the underside of the
boot floor, once it starts.

Very poor original BMW design.

Shows how much 'M' cars have become
pure bolt on.

Sorry Gorilla, but I don't think you are right - this NEVER happens to Cabs - as far as the US reporting is concerned it has never happened (not that I am aware of anyway)

Edit - just checked the part numbers ... part 41 11 7 000 246 (item 16 above - rear axle support - Part 1 and part 16 actually refers to the same part, except 16 is the original part number and 1 is the new repaired part part number - confused yet?) is shared throughout the whole E46 chassis - be it a M or a 316i .. and even on the 4WD versions.

Edit again - just figured this out ...
I was right originally - this DOESN'T happen to the Cabrios - as far as I know it has never been reported on a Cab. This ONLY happens to Coupe, sedans, tourings, 4wd - not the Cabs. The Cabs had a different rear axle support floor from the get go - they were stronger!!

The old production E46 chassis used rear axle support part number 41 00 7 030 266 - this was discontinued and this part was never used on the Cabrio version of the E46 chassis - the Cabrio versions always had part number 41 11 7 000 246 as its rear axle support.

check the part numbers it's all there - these rear axle supports were phased in either as a repair part or quite late in the production (I believe sometime in 2006 - I have to check.)

The Gorilla · 13-12-2009, 11:41 AM

Hi,

I think if you dig around enough you will
Find Cabrio owners with this problem.

www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97056

Regards,

The Gorilla.

11-12-2009, 10:38 AM	#27
AlexGTT CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Herefordshire Posts: 4,374 Casino cash: $8572	Steve's original thread here with lots of useful photo's and detail info on repair: http://www.cslregister.com/forum/sho...ghlight=cracks __________________ CSL Register Alcoholics Anonymous Group Leader & Businessman of the Year '93! www.earleyengineering.com

09-12-2009, 01:54 PM	#22
thegingerninja S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 370 Casino cash: $4367	This might explain a strange clonk that I sometimes get from the rear of the car. I have been able to recreate the sound by reversing into driveway on full lock one way, then driving back out on full lock the other way (as if turning around to drive off in the opposite direction). It is definately not the diff because the sound certainly travels through the shell / suspension. Where abouts should I be looking for failures in the subframe?

09-12-2009, 02:17 PM	#23
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	Failures aren't in the sub frame but the chassis where the sub frame is mounted, from memory Steve Gill put up some pictures of his failure, worth looking at them. You may be able to see a crease in the boot floor above the mount as Shimmy said or you may not, my car looked fine until the subframe was dropped but once under it you could see a crack.

09-12-2009, 04:46 PM	#25
DuncanR CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olney, Bucks Posts: 3,735 Casino cash: $9984	Gingerninja, check the height of the little thingy in the middle of the driveway that you hold the gates shut with mate !!!

09-12-2009, 04:47 PM	#26
DuncanR CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Olney, Bucks Posts: 3,735 Casino cash: $9984	Thorney, looks my list is growing ever longer mate !! See you on the morrow as agreed.

12-12-2009, 11:04 AM	#28
The Gorilla S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 740 Casino cash: $14401	Hi, Turners have been selling this kit for several years now. http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html..._ID=TDR4675412 Its more common in Cabrio's than Coupes but can really tear up the underside of the boot floor, once it starts. Very poor original BMW design. Shows how much 'M' cars have become pure bolt on. Regards, The Gorilla.

13-12-2009, 11:41 AM	#30
The Gorilla S5, Sport Off, DSC M-track Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 740 Casino cash: $14401	Hi, I think if you dig around enough you will Find Cabrio owners with this problem. www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97056 Regards, The Gorilla.