Subframe failure illustrated

[VinceSE2]

I recently created this shortened video (credit to m3support.net for the original video) to help people understand the dynamics behind the dreaded ”subframe failure ”.

I’m currently running s group buy on the VinceBar kits. Please check it out in the group buy forum.

As I’m sure most of you already know, the actual subframe doesn’t fail, in reality it’s the floor panel, the Rear Axle Carrier Panel (RACP) that cracks and separates from the rest of the chassis due to flexing over many many load cycles.


Initially the flexing and movement isn’t obvious, but as time and load cycles pass, spot welds pop and cracks form, and the flexing becomes obvious as seen in this video.

The VinceBar kit connects the rear subframe mounts directly to the chassis legs thereby unloading the RACP.




Ensuring the cracks and separations don’t occur on an undamaged car, or won’t reoccur on a repaired car.

Something (still) less known is the issue at the top of the front subframe mounts.
This issue is illustrated and explained in this video:

The Front gusset cups (in the foreground of the product picture above) included in the VinceBar kit are designed to address this issue.

[VinceSE2]

The VinceBar kit is available for the coupé and Sedan as shown in the post above, as well as specific versions for the:

• Convertible
  • Convertible specific front gusset cups
• Touring
  • Touring specific rear VinceBar and brackets for the front gusset cups

Here’s the Convertible VinceBar kit (epoxy/rivet-in version)


Here’s the bulkhead prepared for installation of the Convertible specific front gusset cup.



The installed Convertible specific front gusset cup (epoxy/rivet-in version).




This is the Touring specific VinceBar kit.



The cutouts in the rear bar allow for correct installation of the trunk interior panels.





And the brackets on the front gusset cups allow for correct installation of the seat back strip at the bottom of the sest backs.

[BTB]

So what do I do if I already have TMS plates welded in along with the BMW RACP foam 🤒

[VinceSE2]

So what do I do if I already have TMS plates welded in along with the BMW RACP foam 🤒

The epoxy/rivet-in version of the Simplified design VinceBar kit works great in your situation.
This is the exact combination that Obioban has IIRC.



Even without foam the epoxy/rivet method is my preference.

I do however offer a weld-in version for those who prefer welding.

[BL92]

Thank you Vince for all your R and D to help us fix this issue
Love your Work

[0-60motorsports]

So what do I do if I already have TMS plates welded in along with the BMW RACP foam 🤒

I only have the TMS plates and no foam so i'll be doing the epoxy/rivet-in version of the Simplified design VinceBar kit. Maybe foam down the line.....

[bmwfnatic]

I just took a grinder and thinned out my TMS plates until they were as thin as a piece of paper and they came off, then cleaned up the weld bead with a smaller die grinder and the floor looked totally stock like nothing happened afterwards.