M Strut Brace Impasse!

CALWATERBOY · 01-22-2012, 02:14 PM

Gents, I'm doing this procedure.

Check photos approx 1/3 way down the page -- removing plastic piece enclosing big Torx bolt & the strut brace mount to be installed.

Won't budge! Removed the three 10 mm bolts - I got nothing, like there are add'l mounting fasteners.

What gives? Anyone gotta method??

JDLM · 01-22-2012, 02:17 PM

More muscle

neoduffer · 01-22-2012, 02:30 PM

+1 on more muscle.

It took a lot of effort even with an 18 in. breaker bar. Wait till you have to retorque that sucker to the torque + angle.

CALWATERBOY · 01-22-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neoduffer

+1 on more muscle.

It took a lot of effort even with an 18 in. breaker bar. Wait till you have to retorque that sucker to the torque + angle.

Came off easy for me - proper external torx socket; impact wrench.

Going on might be a touch diff....

But the bolt's not the problem - it's the plastic housing. Aieeeee!

Cuba · 01-22-2012, 04:35 PM

I installed a strut bar this weekend I put the wrench on the bolt then used the handle from my 2 ton jack as a breaker bar and it came off. Hope this helps

CALWATERBOY · 01-22-2012, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuba

I installed a strut bar this weekend I put the wrench on the bolt then used the handle from my 2 ton jack as a breaker bar and it came off. Hope this helps

Bolt's out & on my shelf - but how'd you get the plastic housing off?

Mine's stuck tight....

CALWATERBOY · 01-22-2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Bolt's out & on my shelf - but how'd you get the plastic housing off?

Mine's stuck tight....

I blame-a myself.

Foolishly, I didn't remove the rubber bumper on the leading edge of the cowling, also covering the edge of the plastic piece I wanted to remove.

Egad. Wasn't mentioned in the DIY, considered obvious I guess. Is now....

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CALWATERBOY · 01-23-2012, 05:15 AM

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STUCK AGAIN!

Cast angle mount won't go over center tab....tips 'n' tricks??

zeenon53 · 01-23-2012, 02:48 PM

this has to be the longest strut bar install ever!

CALWATERBOY · 01-23-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeenon53

this has to be the longest strut bar install ever!

Oh, I'm a stickler for detail. Still not going over tab!

Maybe more muscle....?

UltraRacer13 · 01-23-2012, 08:16 PM

I have done this mod....I had issues with the cowl fitting on properly. Had to do musical chairs with the different bolts. Cast angle??? Over tab? not sure what you mean.

CALWATERBOY · 01-23-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltraRacer13

I have done this mod....I had issues with the cowl fitting on properly. Had to do musical chairs with the different bolts. Cast angle??? Over tab? not sure what you mean.

I see what you mean - 'Cast Angle' is the cast aluminum piece that bolts on, center cowl. Refuses to go over the center tab - now the clip to fasten the 10mm bolt's fallen down. Hoping to retrieve w/magnet.

UltraRacer13 · 01-23-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

I see what you mean - 'Cast Angle' is the cast aluminum piece that bolts on, center cowl. Refuses to go over the center tab - now the clip to fasten the 10mm bolt's fallen down. Hoping to retrieve w/magnet.

I didn't have too much trouble with that. Once I got it mounted in the plastic molding and the rubber boots on, It clipped back in reasonable easily. I had to try 2 or three times to get it right I think. It is more about the molding fitting in properly IIRC.

Ill keep checking this thread to see if I can "help" any further. Not that I am at all really.

Freelo · 01-23-2012, 09:35 PM

FWIW I had this same issue 2 weeks ago. I could not get the cowl piece to come out (the piece where you will install the "V" end of the M3 strut bar.

I gave up finally and brought it into Matt at Camber-Toe who is one of the experts with the E9x cars. I think he had to remove the wipers to get that piece out. He's done many of these and even he said it was a bitch. I'd call an expert for advice.

CALWATERBOY · 01-23-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freelo

FWIW I had this same issue 2 weeks ago. I could not get the cowl piece to come out (the piece where you will install the "V" end of the M3 strut bar.

I gave up finally and brought it into Matt at Camber-Toe who is one of the experts with the E9x cars. I think he had to remove the wipers to get that piece out. He's done many of these and even he said it was a bitch. I'd call an expert for advice.

Yup, I'm down to that....also notice wire ties have been replaced by EZ clips in my '09, maybe also blocking - here's the old school:

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I'm seeing a missing bolt to the left and rear of the center clip....might be a hint....check tomorrow!

01-22-2012, 02:14 PM	#1
CALWATERBOY Major 146 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 N54 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	M Strut Brace Impasse! Gents, I'm doing this procedure. Check photos approx 1/3 way down the page -- removing plastic piece enclosing big Torx bolt & the strut brace mount to be installed. Won't budge! Removed the three 10 mm bolts - I got nothing, like there are add'l mounting fasteners. What gives? Anyone gotta method?? Last edited by CALWATERBOY; 01-22-2012 at 02:48 PM..
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01-22-2012, 02:17 PM	#2
JDLM Banned 73 Rep 3,277 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (4)	More muscle
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01-22-2012, 02:30 PM	#3
neoduffer Fast In, Slow Out 40 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 06 E90 330i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SoCal, SGV iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	+1 on more muscle. It took a lot of effort even with an 18 in. breaker bar. Wait till you have to retorque that sucker to the torque + angle. __________________ : Ken
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01-22-2012, 04:35 PM	#5
Cuba Cuba 81 Rep 1,676 Posts Drives: 07 328xi Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PA iTrader: (12)	I installed a strut bar this weekend I put the wrench on the bolt then used the handle from my 2 ton jack as a breaker bar and it came off. Hope this helps __________________ 07 328xi Monaco Blue\|Premium\|Cold\|Navi\|CA\|LLumar\|Mtec\|DDM\|aFe\|Ambe r-Gone\|Rear Fogs\|Bimmian\|PY-Speed\|OEM\|e92-lighting\|V1\|BavAuto\|Weisslicht\|Cyba\|Beyern\|Falken\| Sonic Tuning\|ECS Tuning\|JL Audio\|Rockford Fosgate
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01-23-2012, 05:15 AM	#8
CALWATERBOY Major 146 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 N54 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	STUCK AGAIN! Cast angle mount won't go over center tab....tips 'n' tricks??
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01-23-2012, 02:48 PM	#9
zeenon53 Major 39 Rep 1,154 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: obx iTrader: (3)	this has to be the longest strut bar install ever!
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01-23-2012, 08:16 PM	#11
UltraRacer13 Wannabe Track Rat 68 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 17 OG M2 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I have done this mod....I had issues with the cowl fitting on properly. Had to do musical chairs with the different bolts. Cast angle??? Over tab? not sure what you mean.
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01-23-2012, 09:35 PM	#14
Freelo Private First Class 10 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 2014 328i (sold) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (5)	FWIW I had this same issue 2 weeks ago. I could not get the cowl piece to come out (the piece where you will install the "V" end of the M3 strut bar. I gave up finally and brought it into Matt at Camber-Toe who is one of the experts with the E9x cars. I think he had to remove the wipers to get that piece out. He's done many of these and even he said it was a bitch. I'd call an expert for advice. __________________ Koni sport shocks, BMW performance springs, M3 arms and sways front and rear, M3 subframe bushings, Velocity toe arms, M3 front strut bar, Cobb, ETS FMIC, Vishnu charge pipe, RPI scoops, M3 steering wheel, M3 carbon leather interior trim, Advan RS 18 inch wheels, Pilot sport tires
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