Subframe Dropped and cracks found

[scotty737]

Just to add, I don't think many people know how much of an issue this is on the e46 chassis so here's some pics of mine when I did my vincebar after bottom plates were already added. Failed spot welds that are almost un-noticeable or hidden under seam sealer. My subframe mount cracks were much smaller than yours too. The right way is to take off all the seam sealer where George mentioned because the stress will transfer to panel edges will pull down on the RACP at the edges due to weak design. I drilled, fill-weld the failed spot welds and stitch welded the seams of the RACP at the trunk and wheel wells in addition to the vincebar. Pretty labor intensive but I recommend doing this when doing your rear RACP reinforcement. This is my interpretation of true reinforced RACP.

Yeah, I have some busted spot welds there. Will get those plugged and stitched.

[scotty737]

Waited for my welder to show for about a month, but he completed the job this weekend. Here is a picture of how the "V3" differs from the v2. It directly connects the chassis leg to the RACP. The part that is just tacked is a cover and not structural.

[jet_dogg]

Waited for my welder to show for about a month, but he completed the job this weekend. Here is a picture of how the "V3" differs from the v2. It directly connects the chassis leg to the RACP. The part that is just tacked is a cover and not structural.

Are your subframe bushings shot?

[scotty737]

Are your subframe bushings shot?

I replaced them, but they looked fine when removed. No cracking or anything. I’m sure they were worn though.

[jet_dogg]

I replaced them, but they looked fine when removed. No cracking or anything.

I don't believe a visual inspection is a a tell all analysis but appreciate the info.

[scotty737]

I don't believe a visual inspection is a a tell all analysis but appreciate the info.

Well obviously, but how else would you do analysis on a piece of rubber? I am certainly not in the business of inspecting bushings. I didn’t really care what they looked liked because I was replacing them. I would assume they’re shot after 15 years and 93k miles.

[jet_dogg]

I was curious if there was any visual cues that's all. I don't trust those things anyway.

[lvm3sm46]

scotty737 I really appreciate you posting this. I also received the Redish V3 plates and was curious of the differences.

So would you say this is as good as the Vince bar or CMP bar?

[scotty737]

scotty737 I really appreciate you posting this. I also received the Redish V3 plates and was curious of the differences.

So would you say this is as good as the Vince bar or CMP bar?

I think the Vincebar and cmp are a much stronger solution. Although the reddish instructions said that this reinforcement is essentially what the e9x platform has. I have faith in it, but time will tell. I’m sure everyone will say it isn’t the solution and Vincebar/cmp is the only way lol.

If it fails in the future, I will look into something else but for now I’m considering it reinforced.

[poss]

I think the Vincebar and cmp are a much stronger solution. Although the reddish instructions said that this reinforcement is essentially what the e9x platform has. I have faith in it, but time will tell. I’m sure everyone will say it isn’t the solution and Vincebar/cmp is the only way lol.

If it fails in the future, I will look into something else but for now I’m considering it reinforced.

I wouldn't consider it reinforced - you simply patched where the cracks manifest themselves, not the actual cause of the metal fatigue.

[ClevoCapri]

I wouldn't consider it reinforced - you simply patched where the cracks manifest themselves, not the actual cause of the metal fatigue.

He welded plates from the chassis rail to the RACP in the boot floor. That is a reinforement. Not as hardcore as a bar then welded between the plates and tied into the RACP but it is definately an improvement.

[scotty737]

I wouldn't consider it reinforced - you simply patched where the cracks manifest themselves, not the actual cause of the metal fatigue.

I think you missed something. That would just be installing plates on the bottom…

[scotty737]

What does the bar really do differently than this in terms of racp movement? If you really wanted a bar you could easily weld a pice of metal to both of these plates.

[heinzboehmer]

What does the bar really do differently than this in terms of racp movement? If you really wanted a bar you could easily weld a pice of metal to both of these plates.

Vincebar and CMP both require you to drill up through the rear subframe mounts and relace the subframe bolts with extended studs. These studs then bolts to the bar, so that the rear of the subframe is directly bolted to the bar.

Similar thing is done for the front mounts with the gusset cups.

[poss]

He welded plates from the chassis rail to the RACP in the boot floor. That is a reinforement. Not as hardcore as a bar then welded between the plates and tied into the RACP but it is definately an improvement.

My bad. Yes, its a similar topside reinforcement concept to the CMP Rail Plates