RTAB pocket failure quick video inside and some info on diagnosing

[m3f_shaeff]

I think that unibody sheet metal is thinner than it looks (thinner than a shop who hasn't done the job would likely expect it to be).

Very thin and easy to burn holes in.

[m3f_fiveightandten]

Absolutely.. I'd love to knock it all out before she goes into hibernation. I spoke to a guy at Fairfield County Motorsport today and they are going to do the reinforcements. They do quite a bit of race car fabrication and metal work. Mostly BMWs and P Cars. It's not the cheapest place, but it's 10 seconds from my house in FFLD, and I know they will do a good job.

Killer. Yeah man, you don't want to be driving it around like that. Awesome to have a competent shop close by. Definitely let me know how it goes. I need to get this done to my car before I have a RTA pull out of the unibody at a really inopportune time.

My other winter project just showed up today in five huge boxes

Let me know when you wanna pay Sonny a visit.

Very thin and easy to burn holes in.

That's what I was gettin' at.

[m3f_shaeff]

That's what I was gettin' at.

Oh I know. I was just agreeing with you.



I hate welding upside down.

[m3f_fiveightandten]

Update:


A little late on this one, but the owner of the car had the RTAB reinforcements welded in and the clunking noise has disappeared completely as a result.

[m3f_OahuMPower]

also... the sheet metal on the body is THICKER than you think....


I have an entire RTAB pocket in my bedroom right now. Had it plasma cut out of a wrecked E36 chassis at my buddies shop. So now I can see the inside/underneath of the pocket.

[m3f_Magic M3]

also... the sheet metal on the body is THICKER than you think....



I have an entire RTAB pocket in my bedroom right now. Had it plasma cut out of a wrecked E36 chassis at my buddies shop. So now I can see the inside/underneath of the pocket.

Cal



Use protection with that pocket in the bedroom!



Pete

[m3f_das borgen]

also... the sheet metal on the body is THICKER than you think....



I have an entire RTAB pocket in my bedroom right now. Had it plasma cut out of a wrecked E36 chassis at my buddies shop. So now I can see the inside/underneath of the pocket.

even I can't make up a bad joke for this one

[m3f_M3F1RST]

Is there any person/shop in the NYC area anyone around here recommends to do this job? Mine has the exact symptoms on my drivers side, although I see no separation. Its been driving me crazy trying to figure out what it is. Might as well give it a try with pocket reinforcements.

[m3f_PurduinaM3]

Where in the NYC area? There's a local member (Ant's M3) who has a shop in Tuckahoe - he's done these reinforcements on quite a few cars including mine and does a great job.

[m3f_M3F1RST]

Where in the NYC area? There's a local member (Ant's M3) who has a shop in Tuckahoe - he's done these reinforcements on quite a few cars including mine and does a great job.

Well my family lives in Queens, but I work in Freeport, LI. I'd be willing to drive a good distance for a reputable member to help me though From googlemaps it looks like tuckahoe is about 25-35 miles away, which is fine by me! If I could have some contact info that would be great