E36 strut tower reinforcement plates

[Autotechnica]

Hey guys,

I would just like to know how to install it. This is not mounted on the top of the shock tower like a strut brace correct? It's mounted inside the top of the wheel well under the strut tower but ontop of the strut mount? If anyone has a diagram or could explain how I would go about properly installing these plates I would appreciate it a lot.

I have Bilstein SP struts and M3 swaybar endlinks attached to my struts. I have a '94 318. If I want to install these plates will I require a spring compressor tool? If so, I don't want to do it myself. Somebody told me to just jack up the car, unscrew the bolts and see if the strut will drop out. I'm worried the spring will come out. Please advise on the proper procedure. Also, should the inverted end of the plate face downwards towards the floor or upwards?

Thanks a bunch!

Bry

[thekid]

I do believe that it goes ontop not in the strut tower. I'm not 100% on that, I called and left a message to find out for sure (becaues it bothers me that I'm not 100% on this), but I may not hear back for a while, and I've waited about 25 mins or so for a call back. So if I find out any different I'll let you know, but I'm 95% sure that it just goes on top. I also believe that you put it dome side up, because as I recall they are the same shape as the top mount so they should fit right in there. And no your spring won't come out and you don't need a spring compressor.

[robbins6103]

Here's a good pic of where they should go....hope this helps!

[Autotechnica]

Thanks for the pic, those must be the M3 strut hats. So the reinforcement plate just sits ontop of the strut mount? It would seem I would have to remove my strut. Anyways, what bolt socket size are the 2 bolts attaching the bottom of the strut? I assume it's 18mm or lager since I just tried my 17mm socket (I don't have any socket larger, only wrenches, doh!).

[thekid]

Originally posted by robbins6103@Jul 8 2004, 03:24 PM
Here's a good pic of where they should go....hope this helps!

yep thats what I said... I can't remember the size of the bolts.. I should I've had them off twice now.. I'll write it down next time. Or better yet when you've figured it out let me know so I won't have to look next time!

[Autotechnica]

Thanks guys. I forgot to get the gasket for the plate. Any problems if I install it without the gasket? It's pretty much just a peice of paper right?

Bry

[Autotechnica]

I installed it today and it was a lot easier than I thought. Took me a total of about 40min.

I have the 91/10 style struts with tabs, so I'm still using the original strut hats, not M3. I jacked up each side and removed the wheels. Basically what was holding the strut up last time was the M3 endlinks attached to the strut. I had to remove the wheels inorder to detach the endlink from the strut. I put the front up on jack stands and removed the 3 nuts holding the strut to the strut tower. I used a floor jack to support the rotor so the strut wouldn't be held by the brake lines. I had more than enough room to slip the reinforcement plate onto the strut mount without removing the bottom 2 bolts for the strut. I just lifted the strut back up using the floor jack which was supporting the rotor. I matched up the bolts and put everything back together accordingly. I'm very happy with the results. Although I know I probably won't "feel" any difference, I feel better just knowing they're there. Lots of pot holes around here

Thanks again guys.

Bry

[thekid]

Do you remember what those bolt sizes are? if not don't worry about it, its only going to support my being lazy. Also did you end up not useing a gasket?