:help Ok I need to know everything about this this has me concerned
Like Does it happen to normal cars?
I have a stock 94 325is
No mods, no nothing, like normal stuff on it.
I dont go to that race track, i drive fast, but dont like do big jumps in it, or go over bumps like speed bumps really fast.
So this sub frame failure?
first of all?
1. is it common?
2. What kinda cars does it "usually" happen to? like upgraded ones, ones that race? or can it happen to normal stock cars? but very rarely?
3. how often does this happen?
4. What is the repair cost for this kinda thing?
5. How do i prevent this, and how much would it cost/how would I do it?
1. Not all that common
2. Non-Z3 and M3 models... due to the fact that the rear sub frame reinforcements were not installed at the factory.
3. See 1.
4. If you catch it fast... not that much due to the easy fix of a little welding and maybe some patching.
5. Preventative maintenance can and should be doing in my opinion. www.turnermotorsports.com sells a reinforcement kit. Buy it and get a shop to weld her on for a couple hundred due to the work that has to be done to get to the reinforce point.
It doesnt happen if you dont make it happen... it should be check frequently... its not common... mostly pushed and tracked cars will have this problem... if you drive your car normally... you will be fine.
If you corner hard, drift your vehicle, have a stiffened suspension (aftermarket set-up... such as coil-overs or stiff shocks, etc. etc.), 17, 18 or 19 inch rims with low profile tires and drive your vehicle hard on the street (even if you haven't tracked your beamer) listen to the man when he says, CHECK OUT THE SUB-FRAME. Trust me... ask me how I know. Go to the link below. The parts are $85.00 and it will take a good mechanic a few hours to install. It's a small investment towards guaranteeing the sub-frame will not fail. Cause if it does fail... the repair will be very expensive and... your beamer will never feel the same.. sniff sniff.. sorry... The passenger side will fail first or show signs of cracking.
I had a 1994 318is. When I bought her she had signs of failing. I didn't do anything about it cause at the time I didn't know better. By the time I got around to shoring up the sub-frame the passenger side was done.
I don't think you should worry too much but take a look for yourself, it isn't hard to spot. Where I'm from the elements don't help the situation. My 325is doesn't have any signs of fatigue but I'll be making the mod as I do drive her hard and intend on putting her on the track.
yeah wow can't believe i missed this one. i drive so hard i went through all four potenza's pretty much evenly in 8000 miles.......yes okay i shouldn't drive this hard all the time but i do. Time to check and weld that kit in. even if its an ASS LOAD OF WORK to get everything prepped.
Creaking, clunking.... metalic screaming.... no that was a joke. Just check the link out and read carefully. It shows you pictures. The next time you have your car on a lift do a visual inspection, use a flashlight... if your car looks like those in the picture then you've got a problem.
I had a similar problem with my 318is. Check your front tables (wishbone). See the link below.
This link you should check points 3,5,9,19 first. Use a small pry bar and apply a LITTLE pressure. There should be a little play but NOT too much. These points have a lot of stress on them when the car is running stiffer shocks and/or coils and larger rims with lower profile tires. The diagram is showing only one side. Make sure to check both sides.
Just click on the respective pictures for blowups, I don't know if you have tilt steering etc. etc.
I may also add that this issue isn't related to this post but your issue is still one that's worth discussing... perhaps as another thread. I hope this info helps. Let us know if you've figured it out.
Originally posted by e36surge@May 24 2005, 08:42 PM I had a similar problem with my 318is. Check your front tables (wishbone). See the link below.
This link you should check points 3,5,9,19 first. Use a small pry bar and apply a LITTLE pressure. There should be a little play but NOT too much. These points have a lot of stress on them when the car is running stiffer shocks and/or coils and larger rims with lower profile tires. The diagram is showing only one side. Make sure to check both sides.
Just click on the respective pictures for blowups, I don't know if you have tilt steering etc. etc.
I may also add that this issue isn't related to this post but your issue is still one that's worth discussing... perhaps as another thread. I hope this info helps. Let us know if you've figured it out.
I heard this was mainly a problem with 92`-93` e36's. That doesn't mean only those years, but mostly those years. Seeing as how your rockin a 94 you have less to worry about. I drive a 95 e36, and I don't even think about subframe failure. If your really concerned get the reinforcement kit.
READ THE INFORMATION AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES. You wouldn't have asked this question if you had read the link.
Your vibration can be from many things. You need to narrow down things. Vibrations from the rear can come from bad wheel balance, out of balance driveshaft, a bad u-joint on the driveshaft, a bad differential... and the only way you'll know for sure is getting under her and checking.
I looked at the picture that doesnt really help, cause it's with the subframe removed, I dont know what any of that stuff is
I need like a side shot or something?
btw your link doesnt work
and Im guessing since u didnt include subframe failure in the "vibration causes", u are saying, vibration isnt a sign of sub frame failure right?
Unfortunately... I don't have a side shot. Maybe someone else can find one.
The picture shows the REAR AXLE CARRIER which is attached to your subframe. The highlighted circle shows where the axle carrier is welded to the sub-frame and how it is beginning to fail.
If you compare the diagram to the picture you'll get an idea of what the part looks like. The axle carriers are to the right and left of the differential.
eh sortof, I mean I looked under my car everywhere I could see, I looked in my trunk too, Like lifted up the carpet, I didnt see anything
Or would it be something I might not be able to see
A vibrating noise wouldnt be a symptom of this though would it?
EDIT:just spent like an hour looking under my car, no signs of tearing, At least that I can see, I checked the strut tower and the differential (i think)a
and the one part of the rear axle carrier that connects to the frame on both sides
Any other places I should check out, Like any places that I couldnt normally see unless I took something off?
where is it most likely to fail usually?
Are the tears pretty obvious I guess, my car has 102k on it remember :lol:
There is a site that lists common e36 problems. There is another site that lists DiY's. Maybe you should check these out if you already haven't seen them.
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