Swaybar reinforcement plate blunder?

[bavarian3]

Thoughts on this? Sent the car into the shop for some front swaybar reinforcement plates to be welded.


I handed them bimmerworld plates pictured below:




and here is how I received the car back(don't mind the finish i'll be completing it):






Obviously going to contact them to figure out wtf happened, but I have to imagine those drain holes are important. I'm thinking about the best way to have them(or myself) redrill them if necessary.

Everytime I go to a shop there's always some story I swear...

[fattycharged]

No sweat OP, that looks like they actually did a nice job, I'd keep their number


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[9kracing]

I think I'm missing the issue. Welds look nice.

[S54330Ci]

The OP may have a valid point. Take a look at the attached video from BW. Fast forward to around 4:47 and you will note the area where the sway bar mounts. This area does show the extra holes and it appears they line up with similar holes in the frame.

BMW M3 Front & Rear Sway Bar Replacement DIY (2000-2006 BMW E46 M3) - YouTube

I'd contact the shop and ask why the holes were filled in. There may be a legitimate reason. Apart from that the workmanship looks first rate.

[Tbonem3]

Ya, when I saw the pic, I was like, "damn, that's a good job."

As far as draining, isn't the big rubber bushing and alloy "cradle" covering up any would be holes there anyway (once sway is installed)?

[kaiv]

FWIW I like to add a little weld at the base of each stud when doing those. But yeah odd that the drain holes are "missing". Work looks great.

[gabylonfive]

Ya, when I saw the pic, I was like, "damn, that's a good job."

As far as draining, isn't the big rubber bushing and alloy "cradle" covering up any would be holes there anyway (once sway is installed)?

i was thinking the same thing - once everything is bolted up those holes would be covered. I'd be super happy with the quality of that work, OP.

[bavarian3]

Thanks everyone. The exceptional welds were the first thing I saw as well when he sent me a pic so I didn't even realize the difference in plates till I got the car home. I messaged him, just waiting to hear back.

I also realized an easy way to solve this if it's necessary would be to use another reinforcement plate with holes and drill through it so there's no guess work.



Here's an example of another plate installed pulled from google.

[bavarian3]

The OP may have a valid point. Take a look at the attached video from BW. Fast forward to around 4:47 and you will note the area where the sway bar mounts. This area does show the extra holes and it appears they line up with similar holes in the frame.

BMW M3 Front & Rear Sway Bar Replacement DIY (2000-2006 BMW E46 M3) - YouTube

I'd contact the shop and ask why the holes were filled in. There may be a legitimate reason. Apart from that the workmanship looks first rate.

Yep can confirm I test fitted them before sending the car out and they line up.

Ya, when I saw the pic, I was like, "damn, that's a good job."

As far as draining, isn't the big rubber bushing and alloy "cradle" covering up any would be holes there anyway (once sway is installed)?

Good point...though i seems like it maay not fully cover it.

[bavarian3]

Ok spoke with the shop, looks like they plug welded them. Make no sense to me why they would though.

They'll re-order the plate to use as a template and redrill the mounted ones if I desire so it's just a question whether to bother given the car has to stay down another week+.

[bigjae46]

A drain hole? There's a space between the spot welded panels for water to drain.

I'd say that adding the rosette welds improves the strength and prevents moisture from getting between the frame rail and plate. That's a clean job, even ground the welds flat

[bavarian3]

A drain hole? There's a space between the spot welded panels for water to drain.

I'd say that adding the rosette welds improves the strength and prevents moisture from getting between the frame rail and plate. That's a clean job, even ground the welds flat

Good point.

About the “drain holes”, this is what I’m referencing as an example in MSW’s plates install instructions.

[bmwfnatic]

I use those holes to insert my wand for cavity waxing after welding these reinforcements in, this is required because otherwise it starts to rust from the inside.

[bavarian3]

I use those holes to insert my wand for cavity waxing after welding these reinforcements in, this is required because otherwise it starts to rust from the inside.

Yep, figures.

It looks like some wax could be easily sprayed from here, but then possibly not drain correclty..lol.

[bigjae46]

I guess you can just use a punch and then re-drill the holes.

How much water would drain from there if the sway bar bushing and/or bracket is pressed up against that area?