got my RTAB pockets reinforced today

[m3f_das borgen]

car is aligned....task complete

[m3f_hencini]

So alignment *is* necessary after doing the reinforcement plates, right?

[m3f_das borgen]

So alignment *is* necessary after doing the reinforcement plates, right?

Yes...I had marked the RTA to body with a paint marker but those marks on the body got ground away.............



any time you unbolt the RTA, if you don t put it back the same way (which is very hard to do anyway) you change your alignment. The RTA bracket has slotted holes and that is how rear toe is controlled/adjusted

[m3f_hencini]

Makes sense.

[m3f_////\/\3]

solid work.

[m3f_PurduinaM3]

Nice work!! I sleep much better at night knowing mine are done too


Anyone who has done an alignment on the E36 knows how very very small of an adjustment to the position of the RTA in the console will completely change your toe settings. Anytime you drop the RTA or move it at all, you must get an alignment...

[m3f_ClarkeBurns]

Best place to get a reinforcement kit?

[m3f_OahuMPower]

the ONLY place to get the reinforcement plates is from bimmerworld...

[m3f_M3F1RST]

need to look under mine n double check for this. Checked the shock towers this weekend, they had already been redone in a professional manner, so I guess this is the next step

[m3f_ClarkeBurns]

the ONLY place to get the reinforcement plates is from bimmerworld...

Thanks Cal. I'm working on making the most over-maintenanced, over-reinforced low-mile E36 out there.

Stewart WP ordered and clears ordered today; Zionsville kit to follow this week

[m3f_radialaced]

so i guess you can weld the rtab reinforcement plates in without any worry of burning anything on the inside of the car?

[m3f_Aavi]

so i guess you can weld the rtab reinforcement plates in without any worry of burning anything on the inside of the car?

Yup...

[m3f_OahuMPower]

so i guess you can weld the rtab reinforcement plates in without any worry of burning anything on the inside of the car?

you obviously have to clean the entire area of undercoating to get a good weld, and be careful with the close proximity to the gas tank, but yes, it can be done by someone who is halfway experienced with no issues

[m3f_cracky]

Thanks Cal. I'm working on making the most over-maintenanced, over-reinforced low-mile E36 out there.

Stewart WP ordered and clears ordered today; Zionsville kit to follow this week

hey baller

[m3f_pbonsalb]

So alignment *is* necessary after doing the reinforcement plates, right?

I would say it is a good idea, but if lines are scribed to return the mounting points to their exact position, I think the alignment would be minimally changed. Otherwise, you could have 2 different alignments with parts in exactly the same place. Little could explain that except that alignment loads the bushing differently every time.



I would test the theory, but I am replacing the front control arms and tie rods and have dropped the cross member so I have disturbed the other end of the car. I think this would disturb the before numbers on my alignment (hopefully in a few weeks -- front subframe just reinforced, oil pan going to welder tonight for baffle, and I should be able to get to the RTAB pockets within the next two weeks).