rear shock tower completely torn off from body: safe?

BMW_7 · 06-08-2010, 10:01 AM

as the title says... how dangerous is that... and have you ever seen this on a e36 before and fixed it successfully? (its only on one side, shock mounts are fine)

The mechanic Im with looks like he is doing a good job, spot welding all around it and then he says he will weld pieces of metal if needed.

im also looking into a rear strut bar to help keep the shock tower stable

anything else Im missing?

Jon@Bimmersport · 06-08-2010, 10:22 AM

We have seen this before....as long as you are confident in your mechanics ability to weld and seal properly. Your option to go with a strut bar or re-inforcement plates is my recommendation as well, preferably the strut bar. Inspect the other side while your at it.

328IScreamer · 06-08-2010, 10:32 AM

reinforcement plates are a good idea
I have seen this a few times and the plates are definitly a requirment. make sure to undergaurd the plates so they don't rust, also be sure to use a pretty good sized gauge of steel so it's nice and solid.
Once welded in this should fix the issue for life.......oh and usually if one side goes your other side isn't too far behind. Insoect for cracks and if there is even a hairline I would replace both sides. It actually would be a good idea to do both sides anyway but I know it can be costly.

BMW_7 · 06-08-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328IScreamer

reinforcement plates are a good idea
I have seen this a few times and the plates are definitly a requirment. make sure to undergaurd the plates so they don't rust, also be sure to use a pretty good sized gauge of steel so it's nice and solid.
Once welded in this should fix the issue for life.......oh and usually if one side goes your other side isn't too far behind. Insoect for cracks and if there is even a hairline I would replace both sides. It actually would be a good idea to do both sides anyway but I know it can be costly.

Thanks a lot Jon and Screamer

Well reinforcement plates go on the top of the shock tower correct? that area is fine, the problem is around the actual tower

im guessing a rear strut bar is all i need then...

propr'one · 06-10-2010, 08:34 PM

put z3 re-enforcement plates or e46 m3 rsm's while you're in there.

**T.Dot_E30** · 06-10-2010, 09:26 PM

Check the link on bf.c there was a nice how to on there, usually they replace the whole tower with a new pre-made piece of steel.

MarkD · 06-11-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

Check the link on bf.c there was a nice how to on there, usually they replace the whole tower with a new pre-made piece of steel.

Or cut the tower out of a scrapped car. It's better than having someone patch in bits of metal, you need rigidity in the towers.

E30 Girl · 06-11-2010, 08:23 AM

When I did this to my car I bought my reinforcement plates from Turner Motorsports they come anodized and then we just hand sanded the sides to weld and the rest was still covered so it wont rust. Then I cut away the rust on the tower and welded the plates in, this was three years ago with lots of track time and have no rust or problems.

**T.Dot_E30** · 06-11-2010, 08:33 AM

Now that i am on a computer, i found the DIY i was referring to.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1429052

Is this what yours looked like?

The new Piece.

The fix