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BMW Strut Tower Brace

daveysew
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by daveysew » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:27 pm

FWIW the instructions that come with the DINAN brace instruct you to fit the brace with the car on flat, level ground and to tighten the supplied nuts to 18 ft-lbs
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Smokin
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Smokin » Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:02 am

Finally got my OEM brace fitted-glorious afternoon and I had time to finish... I'm hoping it doesn't rub on the air intake as it sits *right* on it. It's going to be a bit of a PITA, though, as I'll have to remove the cross piece before I get my oil changed. Good thing it's only once a year! :D

Before:
Image

another angle:
Image

possible rub point:
Image

right bracket on:
Image

left bracket on:
Image

cross piece on:
Image

cross piece tight against the air intake:
Image

I'm hoping that doesn't rub. Shouldn't if it doesn't move, right? Sorry for the dust, but we're steady into pollen season, :cry: .
2007 3.0si coupe, sapphire black, saddle brown extended leather, heated M seats, premium package, sport package, Carver, light poplar wood trim, xenon, headlight washers, 6 spd. Member BMWCCA, ZSCCA, Homecoming 08 Pirate.

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Caddyshk
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Caddyshk » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:15 am

Funny - It's a better application on the M? Looks good - hope you don't need oil :rofl: BTW - Put the black nut caps on...
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Smokin
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Smokin » Sun Apr 05, 2009 1:27 am

Caddyshk wrote:Funny - It's a better application on the M? Looks good - hope you don't need oil :rofl: BTW - Put the black nut caps on...
I have them. This was a used brace so should they still fit tightly enough? Don't want anything flying around in there...
2007 3.0si coupe, sapphire black, saddle brown extended leather, heated M seats, premium package, sport package, Carver, light poplar wood trim, xenon, headlight washers, 6 spd. Member BMWCCA, ZSCCA, Homecoming 08 Pirate.

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Rick Hunter
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Rick Hunter » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:39 am

Might want to put a bit of glue to keep them in place. Otherwise they WILL fly off eventually.
Image
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Smokin » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:07 pm

Rick Hunter wrote:Might want to put a bit of glue to keep them in place. Otherwise they WILL fly off eventually.
suggestions on type of glue? Just a dab of Elmer's? Remember, I have to take off the cross brace to change oil.


First impressions are positive. Maybe I'm searching for effect, but the car seems more "up on her toes" and not quite a flat footed-might also have to do with tightening the factory firewall-to-tower brace (was tight by firewall, but at the towers, one needed a good quarter turn to hit 25 ft.lbs). Also seems that I get better feedback through the steering wheel. Bumps seem to hit more mid-car than all up front. We'll see tonight when I drive a road that has *always* tramlined (even in my 325).
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Rick Hunter
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Rick Hunter » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:08 am

To be honest, I never put mine on (I spoke with other owners who also said they had lost a few of the rubber pieces while driving). I like the look of all silver vs. silver with lil' black caps. Sorry... I don't have any suggestions.
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by jmillet » Mon May 11, 2009 7:04 pm

Rick Hunter wrote:Not yet. But here it is: NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE noted on a Coupé for day to day driving. The bling factor got the best of me this time. :( --- :)
Bling factor got me too
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Breaker » Tue May 12, 2009 1:01 pm

Smokin wrote:
Rick Hunter wrote:Might want to put a bit of glue to keep them in place. Otherwise they WILL fly off eventually.
suggestions on type of glue? Just a dab of Elmer's? Remember, I have to take off the cross brace to change oil.
Just put a dab of clear silicon on top of the nuts before fitting the caps. :thumbsup:
3.0si Z4 Coupe then an sDrive 35i Z4. Great cars, now gone. Range Rover Evoque owner now! :)

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Smokin
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Smokin » Tue May 12, 2009 1:10 pm

Breaker wrote:
Smokin wrote:
Rick Hunter wrote:Might want to put a bit of glue to keep them in place. Otherwise they WILL fly off eventually.
suggestions on type of glue? Just a dab of Elmer's? Remember, I have to take off the cross brace to change oil.
Just put a dab of clear silicon on top of the nuts before fitting the caps. :thumbsup:
Duh, why didn't I think of that. Good old rubber cement had passed my mind, but not the modern equivalent... :headbang: :lol:
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Re: BMW Strut Tower Brace

Post by Breaker » Wed May 13, 2009 9:33 am

Actually, I think it looks better without the black caps on. :wink:

How much was it? Been thinking of buying one for mine.
3.0si Z4 Coupe then an sDrive 35i Z4. Great cars, now gone. Range Rover Evoque owner now! :)

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