Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Slideways]

Can anyone identify this part? Dropped the belly pan for unrelated maintenance and found it sitting in there.

One of the two hood lock assemblies. You'll want to figure out how it broke off and probably get a new assembly before driving the car.

[Keith_MN]

Can anyone identify this part? Dropped the belly pan for unrelated maintenance and found it sitting in there.

[BigRussia]

I have the same issue on mine (not as bad), however mine are about 3-4 years old at least. I need to replace them fairly soon.

Same issue being that yours are cracked as well, or also have the creaking sounds too? Lmk what you end up replacing them with

[0-60motorsports]

Agreed, I just wondered if anyone had any insight into what this compound actually is and if it can be substituted for something else.
That said it's likely not worth the risk of having to redo a RMS job.

We always use the bmw stuff. I have never looked into any alternatives

[Cubieman]

Yes in theory you should

Agreed, I just wondered if anyone had any insight into what this compound actually is and if it can be substituted for something else.
That said it's likely not worth the risk of having to redo a RMS job.

[0-60motorsports]

Not really applicable to the E46 M3 but I haven't had any answers on the M5 boards.

The S85 (as does S65) has a bedplate that forms parting lines on either side of the F.M.S/R.M.S so when replacing these seals your are supposed to use a special prepping compound/adhesive.

It's about a $150 kit for the prepping compound,"sealant" syringe/needle/tool to push adhesive from syringe.

I did the FMS on my S85 recently and just smashed some Toyota FIPG into the parting lines and called it good.

I am now going do the RMS as part of a LW flywheel install but want to know just how important,or not, the use of the correct adhesive is.

Yes in theory you should

[L0okitzRaj]

Dont want to spam the dumb questions thread with my FCAB issue too much, but figured followup with pics of my findings. So; faulty install by my indy’s mechanics when doing the new LCAs last year (had the Turner FCAB installed by them prior that, ~2 years ago) OR had the FCAB just failed/broken?
Passengers:

Drivers:


Thing is i had seen that the passengers side had that crack right after the lca install but didnt think much of it… i didn't complain to the shop thinking it was just a superficial plastic outer piece and there was no noise or creaks at the time. I feel if it was broken before they did the lca install they would've said something.

Also I wasn't able to replicate the creaking sound with the front end in the air unfortunately.

I have the same issue on mine (not as bad), however mine are about 3-4 years old at least. I need to replace them fairly soon.

[Cubieman]

Not really applicable to the E46 M3 but I haven't had any answers on the M5 boards.

The S85 (as does S65) has a bedplate that forms parting lines on either side of the F.M.S/R.M.S so when replacing these seals your are supposed to use a special prepping compound/adhesive.

It's about a $150 kit for the prepping compound,"sealant" syringe/needle/tool to push adhesive from syringe.

I did the FMS on my S85 recently and just smashed some Toyota FIPG into the parting lines and called it good.

I am now going do the RMS as part of a LW flywheel install but want to know just how important,or not, the use of the correct adhesive is.

[ugaexploder]

what offset would be ideal for a 18x9 wheel up front to run without spacers? have full adjustability with coils, camber plates, etc

[fattycharged]

Look like it broke right at the cast line


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BigRussia]

Dont want to spam the dumb questions thread with my FCAB issue too much, but figured followup with pics of my findings. So; faulty install by my indy’s mechanics when doing the new LCAs last year (had the Turner FCAB installed by them prior that, ~2 years ago) OR had the FCAB just failed/broken?
Passengers:

Drivers:


Thing is i had seen that the passengers side had that crack right after the lca install but didnt think much of it… i didn't complain to the shop thinking it was just a superficial plastic outer piece and there was no noise or creaks at the time. I feel if it was broken before they did the lca install they would've said something.

Also I wasn't able to replicate the creaking sound with the front end in the air unfortunately.

[Calb]

Looking to upgrade to led tail lights. What’s a fair price for supposedly mint lights from 2004?

[Slideways]

Hmm are these the PF offset FCAB you’re thinking of?

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/Control-Arm-Bushings/Powerflex-Black-Series-Front-Control-Arm-Bushings-E46-M3-Eccentric.html

They look good and I could use more caster even with my GC race camber plates, I too hope it is a new design cause yeah I've heard terrible things with their poly stuff falling apart, especially their FCABs. Ive actually made it a point to remove poly anything from my car, hence why I had went with the monoball FCAB and RTAB; the only thing still poly on my car is the AKG 90A diff mounts, which I’ve had no issue with but also i guess since they dont articulate or move like suspension bushings do.

Yeah, those look just like the Schirmer bushings with an alloy housing. The PF street version have a urethane housing and those are the ones that would tend to fall apart.

[BigRussia]

If they don't offer those separately, Powerflex has a similar offset bushings for the Z4M. PF poly FCAB bushings have not been great in the past, but maybe they changed the design as they don't look like their old poly bushings that used to fall apart. Bimmerworld is another option, but those are not offset.

The Lemforder rubber bushing from the factory for both the E46 M3 (not offset) and Z4M (offset) are solid rubber, so deflection shouldn't be that bad. Another option if the aftermarket bushings don't work out.

Hmm are these the PF offset FCAB you’re thinking of?

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/Control-Arm-Bushings/Powerflex-Black-Series-Front-Control-Arm-Bushings-E46-M3-Eccentric.html

They look good and I could use more caster even with my GC race camber plates, I too hope it is a new design cause yeah I've heard terrible things with their poly stuff falling apart, especially their FCABs. Ive actually made it a point to remove poly anything from my car, hence why I had went with the monoball FCAB and RTAB; the only thing still poly on my car is the AKG 90A diff mounts, which I’ve had no issue with but also i guess since they dont articulate or move like suspension bushings do.

[Slideways]

Yup, made sure to properly lubricate the new Hotchkis bushings to prevent any noise Thats why i thought if not the FCAB maybe the endlinks but they were tight as can be too ha. Planning to get under the car this weekend to properly inspect where the noise is coming from, assuming if can replicate it with the front wheels in the air.

Interesting, yeah i did notice they dont run monoball FCAB as well when i was scrolling through their webstore in the past researching roll center correction/bump steer kits. I wonder if its worth seeing if can just buy their offset FCAB without needing to buy the whole kinematics kit. Even if these monoball FCAB just need some grease, reaching the grease nipple is a a PITA with needing to remove the aggregate reinforcement plate :/

If they don't offer those separately, Powerflex has a similar offset bushings for the Z4M. PF poly FCAB bushings have not been great in the past, but maybe they changed the design as they don't look like their old poly bushings that used to fall apart. Bimmerworld is another option, but those are not offset.

The Lemforder rubber bushing from the factory for both the E46 M3 (not offset) and Z4M (offset) are solid rubber, so deflection shouldn't be that bad. Another option if the aftermarket bushings don't work out.