firewall brace broke off.. again

ZStig · 09-03-2009, 04:40 PM

last time my insurance paid to weld my driver's side. now this side broke. fuck me.

any suggestions?

pbdm4k · 09-03-2009, 04:45 PM

Indeed!! How the f**k does that happen?!?!?!?

thekurgan · 09-03-2009, 06:01 PM

Go aftermarket if you can, longer strut studs to accommodate the entire plate type like the Dinan?

Ron Stygar · 09-03-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

last time my insurance paid to weld my driver's side. now this side broke. fuck me.

any suggestions?

There is a bulletin on that.

Ron Stygar · 09-03-2009, 08:54 PM

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=231800

ZStig · 09-04-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Go aftermarket if you can, longer strut studs to accommodate the entire plate type like the Dinan?

I still need to weld on an OEM tbracket, and they're the sames ones used by aftermarket firewall braces.

Ron Stygar · 09-04-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I still need to weld on an OEM tbracket, and they're the sames ones used by aftermarket firewall braces.

You can use the new style bracket which may fix your problem.

ZStig · 09-06-2009, 11:07 AM

I saw the bulletin, but still can't figure out the part number

Ron Stygar · 09-06-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I saw the bulletin, but still can't figure out the part number

41 00 7 193 040 $12.71r

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=41&fg=10&hl=8

ZStig · 09-07-2009, 03:03 PM

thanks!

Graham M · 09-07-2009, 04:55 PM

Thats a 2minute weld job, to both repair and strengthen that joint. Interesting that insurance paid for it though.

ZStig · 09-10-2009, 01:08 PM

got it tig welded, and strengthened both joints for $40! looks like it SHOULD hold. Time for the triple brace...

gtmule · 09-11-2009, 09:36 PM

FWIW, from what I see in the pic above, the weld isn't the problem, the design of the bracket is. That being said, just welding all around the bracket would probably fix it. Looks to me like a crack initiated in the top of that little rib right at the center of the bracket, then worked out to the edges; THEN the weld failed. If it was an airplane, I'd design an ally doubler, and call out a bucket of rivets to fix it.....welding it up (with a new bracket!) is probably the right fix. Doubling up over the bracket with some ~.063" steel would help a bit, too.

ZStig · 09-13-2009, 11:37 PM

yeah, they re-inforced both brackets with welding all around the bracket, like you said. I'll post pics later

Jbs · 09-14-2011, 01:21 PM

This just happened to me as well.. I can get insurance to pay for this?

ZStig · 09-14-2011, 01:35 PM

don't. that was just stupid of me.

Find a body shop with some skills and they'll weld it back on for under $100. Make sure they also go around the perimeter of those "feet" to re-inforce it. I don't have pics anymore because its from my first z4

imom · 09-14-2011, 02:17 PM

Roffle... did you have the strut brace installed previously? I wonder if this issue is for folks with only the v-brace and not the full triangle? The reason why I bought the strut brace was for protection of the horror stories I hear about the shock tower mushroom without it. The big benefit is that the strut brace improved the handling as well...which is the main reason it was designed I guess.

I'm curious to know if you didn't have the strut brace that it aide in the brackets braking off?

ZStig · 09-14-2011, 02:24 PM

I didn't have a strut brace, its just a highly stressed area on the chassis.

imom · 09-14-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I didn't have a strut brace, its just a highly stressed area on the chassis.

Do you think it wouldn't have happen if you did have a strut brace? I wonder how much more support it would give...just out of curiosity.

Oh yeah...surprised you went through insurance to fix your bracket...did your premiums go up?

ZStig · 09-14-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imom

Do you think it wouldn't have happen if you did have a strut brace? I wonder how much more support it would give...just out of curiosity.

Oh yeah...surprised you went through insurance to fix your bracket...did your premiums go up?

I'm not sure if a strut brace would help or hinder the situation, it depends how and where it would change the flex.

I went through insurance because thats what BMW said I should do, and that its a very expensive fix. My premium went up slightly, as they classified it as damage from hitting a stationary object. Thats why I strongly discourage going through the insurance, and just paying a few bucks out of pocket.

Don't worry about it breaking on you, it happens on these cars but its very rare

thekurgan · 09-14-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

got it tig welded, and strengthened both joints for $40! looks like it SHOULD hold. Time for the triple brace...

Which triple brace avoids these connection points to the towers? Looks like Strong Strut utilizes the same points.

inTgr8r · 09-14-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Which triple brace avoids these connection points to the towers? Looks like Strong Strut utilizes the same points.

None; they all use the OE points.
But closing the triangle with an STB should minimize side movement at that point an alleviate some of the stress. (JMO)

09-03-2009, 04:40 PM	#1
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	firewall brace broke off.. again last time my insurance paid to weld my driver's side. now this side broke. fuck me. any suggestions? __________________
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09-03-2009, 04:45 PM	#2
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 75 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Indeed!! How the fk does that happen?!?!?!? __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5** Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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09-03-2009, 06:01 PM	#3
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Go aftermarket if you can, longer strut studs to accommodate the entire plate type like the Dinan? __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-03-2009, 08:54 PM	#5
Ron Stygar Lieutenant 9 Rep 421 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Strut http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=231800
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09-06-2009, 11:07 AM	#8
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I saw the bulletin, but still can't figure out the part number __________________
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09-07-2009, 03:03 PM	#10
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	thanks! __________________
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09-07-2009, 04:55 PM	#11
Graham M I love my Z. Pure sex on wheels. 49 Rep 397 Posts Drives: Is sold, goodbye everyone! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Thats a 2minute weld job, to both repair and strengthen that joint. Interesting that insurance paid for it though. __________________
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09-10-2009, 01:08 PM	#12
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	got it tig welded, and strengthened both joints for $40! looks like it SHOULD hold. Time for the triple brace... __________________
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09-11-2009, 09:36 PM	#13
gtmule Enlisted Member 46 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 03 350z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MAcon, GA iTrader: (0)	FWIW, from what I see in the pic above, the weld isn't the problem, the design of the bracket is. That being said, just welding all around the bracket would probably fix it. Looks to me like a crack initiated in the top of that little rib right at the center of the bracket, then worked out to the edges; THEN the weld failed. If it was an airplane, I'd design an ally doubler, and call out a bucket of rivets to fix it.....welding it up (with a new bracket!) is probably the right fix. Doubling up over the bracket with some ~.063" steel would help a bit, too.
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09-13-2009, 11:37 PM	#14
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	yeah, they re-inforced both brackets with welding all around the bracket, like you said. I'll post pics later __________________
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09-14-2011, 01:21 PM	#15
Jbs The Photographer 76 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC BSM/Black extended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	This just happened to me as well.. I can get insurance to pay for this? __________________ John Batte Photography / Flickr / Facebook 2007 ///M Coupe BSM/Black Extended/Loaded \| RPi GT Exhaust w/custom gloss black tips \| KW V3 \| Michelin PSS 245/265 \| Pinnacle F1 Tint 35% \| ZHP Shift Knob
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09-14-2011, 01:35 PM	#16
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	don't. that was just stupid of me. Find a body shop with some skills and they'll weld it back on for under $100. Make sure they also go around the perimeter of those "feet" to re-inforce it. I don't have pics anymore because its from my first z4 __________________
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09-14-2011, 02:17 PM	#17
imom First Lieutenant 29 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Subaru BRZ ....... Z4MR (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Roffle... did you have the strut brace installed previously? I wonder if this issue is for folks with only the v-brace and not the full triangle? The reason why I bought the strut brace was for protection of the horror stories I hear about the shock tower mushroom without it. The big benefit is that the strut brace improved the handling as well...which is the main reason it was designed I guess. I'm curious to know if you didn't have the strut brace that it aide in the brackets braking off?
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09-14-2011, 02:24 PM	#18
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I didn't have a strut brace, its just a highly stressed area on the chassis. __________________
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