Intrax suspension failure

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

Having read this thread I can't believe that
anybody is running rear coilovers and are not using
the Z3 Rear Turret stiffeners.

They cost about 22.00 pounds for the pair,
and are available from the dealer.

Strange how guys running 600.00 Gaz or Leda
suspension on their E30's use them, yet guys
running CSL's with 2k plus of Intrax do not make
the small Investment.

Even stranger that the suspension selling dealer does not even
recommend them in the first place, and yet knows all
about suspension, most strange.

A cage only resolves the problem if fitted
with top plates, which most of the E46 ones
I have ever seen welded in do not, they are
more often welded to the side of the rear turret
for cross bracing and stiffness.

The coilovers punch through, due to the
suspension drop slowly weaking the metal as the
all the force it taken by the nuts on top
during drop, which after time stresses the
shell metal to the point, that once fatigued,
then on rebound, they will eventually punch
through.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[shimmy]

2 x Z3 Reinforcement Plates (Part Number 51-71-8-413-35) ???

[kbird]

What is the part number please?

[kbird]

Hi,

Having read this thread I can't believe that
anybody is running rear coilovers and are not using
the Z3 Rear Turret stiffeners.

They cost about 22.00 pounds for the pair,
and are available from the dealer.

Strange how guys running 600.00 Gaz or Leda
suspension on their E30's use them, yet guys
running CSL's with 2k plus of Intrax do not make
the small Investment.

Even stranger that the suspension selling dealer does not even
recommend them in the first place, and yet knows all
about suspension, most strange.

A cage only resolves the problem if fitted
with top plates, which most of the E46 ones
I have ever seen welded in do not, they are
more often welded to the side of the rear turret
for cross bracing and stiffness.

The coilovers punch through, due to the
suspension drop slowly weaking the metal as the
all the force it taken by the nuts on top
during drop, which after time stresses the
shell metal to the point, that once fatigued,
then on rebound, they will eventually punch
through.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Is this the part number 33 52 1 137 972?

[shimmy]

http://home.comcast.net/~matthew.c.smith/mods/rear_shock_mount/index.htm

found this!

[azrael]

http://home.comcast.net/~matthew.c.s...ount/index.htm

found this!

Sounds like these are a must! if only a minimum

[kbird]

http://home.comcast.net/~matthew.c.s...ount/index.htm

found this!

Nice work Shimmy!! Parts ordered, here on Tuesday so I can get them fitted for my Ring/Spa trip this weekend! Cheers

[glendog74]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/subcategory_detail.asp?modelcode=E46&subcat_id=96

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSM&Category_Code

[azrael]

So whats the general concensus on this then. I've got intrax and turner bush limiter kit. Seems to be a few different options with plates...?

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

A good rear strut brace will also do the same
job as the Z3 reinforcement Rings.

The rear Intrax coilovers on my car are on Hangers,
which are used to run shorter rear springs.

Cage is welded to the side of the turrets, although
if I has specified it, I would have picked up the
rear turret top mount and spread the point load out
away, into the shell and the cage.

Shorter rear spring for Track work is better, although much
harsher and skittish on the road though.

E30 M3 DTM 92 cars ran hangers as well on the rears
for a shorter rear spring, so its not a new idea.


Regards,

The Gorilla.

[kbird]

So whats the general concensus on this then. I've got intrax and turner bush limiter kit. Seems to be a few different options with plates...?

I have fitted the plates as a precaution, have you asked Anthony/Julian what they think?

[NZ_M3]

In my opinion the Z3 reinforcement plates will do bugger all - you are not spreading the load to other parts of the chassis, merely sandwiching the weak ass top shock steel - the failures are in the whole shock tower, not just the mounting points.

[Thorney]

I have to say I agree, the top plates will help for sure and it maybe enough (failures are relatively rare) but BMW state the entire suspension tower must be supported or at least tied into the chassis floor to properly 'fix' the issue, that why we did a lot more on the harness bar (it would be dead easy just to run a bar from one side to the other and knock em out for £150).

[The Gorilla]

Hi,

NZ_M3- Interesting statement you make.

I have never seen a rear BMW Turret damaged
with them fitted but have seen plenty of damaged
ones without them.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[shane@mbtech]

Hi,

NZ_M3- Interesting statement you make.

I have never seen a rear BMW Turret damaged
with them fitted but have seen plenty of damaged
ones without them.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Serious question, are you really a gorilla?

I think it will certainly help with the problem as where the shock comes through will no longer split.

Was this splitting the only fault with rear coilovers?

Although im only running front coilovers it will be interesting to know for future reference.

Thanks