RTAB Mount Failure

[m3f_camdinans3]

True, but that's not my point. What I'm saying is the fact that I'm not in a high risk group (people who track, AutoX, etc.) combined with the fact that I'm planning on doing my RTABs in the next 3-6 months is my justification for not walking out to the garage and doing this project this afternoon.

well just as long as we are clear that theres no "high risk" group for this. it happens to anyone.



by all means wait till you do your rtabs but driving the car a certain way doesn't make a difference if the rtab pocket tears out or not. Its just like RSM.

[m3f_jmd471]

I got my laugh for the day with my coffee... thank you.....

Doesn't BMW use epoxy/foam to install the subframe reinforcements for the e46 recall?



I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like all they are doing is evenly spreading out the force of the pocket. Using epoxy would avoid any brittling the metal from the heat cycle of the weld. I didn't think it was that ridiculous of an idea.

[m3f_das borgen]

Doesn't BMW use epoxy/foam to install the subframe reinforcements for the e46 recall?



I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like all they are doing is evenly spreading out the force of the pocket. Using epoxy would avoid any brittling the metal from the heat cycle of the weld. I didn't think it was that ridiculous of an idea.

wow





you're right...................... interesting



http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=688186



http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=710760

[m3f_OahuMPower]

sure... go ahead and epoxy away...

[m3f_shaeff]

It's a Hobart Handler 175... Essentially a Miller machine in cheaper clothing... I've done 3/16 with it in a single pass no problem. Can't remember if I've ever done 1/4".

Yeah dude, you'll be perfectly fine with that machine. I have a Hobart Handler 210. Miller FTW!


One thing to note- be VERY careful. Spend most of your weld time dipping into the reinforcement plate- the console sheetmetal is just that, sheetmetal. It's wicked thin and VERY easy to blow holes through with too much heat. I recommend using .030 wire, by the way.

[m3f_hencini]

Yeah dude, you'll be perfectly fine with that machine. I have a Hobart Handler 210. Miller FTW!



One thing to note- be VERY careful. Spend most of your weld time dipping into the reinforcement plate- the console sheetmetal is just that, sheetmetal. It's wicked thin and VERY easy to blow holes through with too much heat. I recommend using .030 wire, by the way.

Yeah, I was worried about the difference in thickness between the two metals...

[m3f_TomS2]

wow





you're right...................... interesting



http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=688186



http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=710760

sure, just because the engineers that design and test the car think that epoxy is fine you think it is fine. next thing you know you will believe what the experts on the interwebz say.

[m3f_das borgen]

I never said I thought it was fine


I said it was interesting


y'all getting me twisted


lay off the juicy juice

[m3f_TomS2]

I never said I thought it was fine



I said it was interesting



y'all getting me twisted



lay off the juicy juice

sarcasm is a fine art. clean your funny filter.



There is a reason the car manufacturers are using epoxys instead of welds when they make a car.



im not sure what the reason is, but i am willing to bet there is data the compares the strength of a weld v the strength of epoxy, durability of the two, etc.

im prety sure i read that the last generation five series used epoxys instead of welds on a lot of critical areas, and that bmw repair facilities had people with special training to use the new super sophisticated adhesives instead of welds.



but what do i know, i just read the magazines out there for all to read.

[m3f_OahuMPower]

I'll have them welded... thanks

[m3f_TomS2]

I'll have them welded... thanks

I'll do whatever makes the most sense, and will provide the best value and protection... thanks.

[m3f_OahuMPower]

I'll do whatever makes the most sense, and will provide the best value and protection... thanks.

that would be welding... thanks.

[m3f_shaeff]

Yeah, I was worried about the difference in thickness between the two metals...

I hear ya. That threw me for a loop at first as well. I didn't realize they were THAT much thicker than the OEM sheetmetal until they were in my hands.



When I weld, I make a series of cursive lower case "e"s When I did this particular job, I welded about 1/2", then moved to a different spot so I didn't overheat anything and burn through. When you make your loops/u's whatever curly-Q you make, just spend more time on the reinforcement plates to melt them into the joint, then dip up to the sheetmetal but just don't stay there too long.



I practiced welding a few pieces of sheet metal onto a piece of scrap steel I had laying around that were close to the same thickness as the BW plates. No matter how you go about it, welding upside down sucks.

[m3f_ClarkeBurns]

I believe what BMW's doing for the E46 (my car) is essentially injecting a "structural" foam in the cavity above the rear subframe to spread the load. Don't think that would work for the RTAB pockets.

What's up with E36's tearing sheetmetal, anyway? First the rear shock towers and now this.



FWIW, my E46 had reinforcement plates welded in by VAC in Philly--at my expense. Racing shop > BMW NA



Working on getting it refunded but it's a long shot.

[m3f_hencini]

I hear ya. That threw me for a loop at first as well. I didn't realize they were THAT much thicker than the OEM sheetmetal until they were in my hands.



When I weld, I make a series of cursive lower case "e"s When I did this particular job, I welded about 1/2", then moved to a different spot so I didn't overheat anything and burn through. When you make your loops/u's whatever curly-Q you make, just spend more time on the reinforcement plates to melt them into the joint, then dip up to the sheetmetal but just don't stay there too long.



I practiced welding a few pieces of sheet metal onto a piece of scrap steel I had laying around that were close to the same thickness as the BW plates. No matter how you go about it, welding upside down sucks.

Word. Thanks!!