Front strut brace

[0-60motorsports]

Love my RE Strut brace but will be going back to stock as working on the car is much easier.

[Projecte46m3]

DMG Pro-46 R w/ Removable Center 3pc in raw clear with heat signatures. Makes it easy to remove and work on the car and of course the bling factor.

[S54330Ci]

DMG Pro-46 R w/ Removable Center 3pc in raw clear with heat signatures. Makes it easy to remove and work on the car and of course the bling factor.

I have the same bar only powder coated black. Probably the best strut bar on the market IMO. Fit and finish is perfect. Surprisingly light as well.

[9kracing]

DMG is some quality stuff

[sleepyonthehighway]

I was pulling fuses a week ago fixing a fuel issue when I noticed my OEM strut brace was completely shorn on both sides.


When I removed it, it fell apart entirely.

I chose to replace it with the Dinan brace and I'm happy.

[OldRanger]

So there I was...wondering if I could put a used OEM strut brace on our 2002 (8/2001) M3. Our 2005 has the OEM brace; that's the only one I'm familiar with. I remove it often and prefer not to deal with options that aren't easily removed.

And I found this thread...what the hell?!...the bumps on the 2002? Difficult and more $$.

This car has the TC Kline camber plate and TCK DA setup. Key measurements:
1) Remaining length on strut 'bolt': 5.5 to 5.8 mm, with the variance mostly coming from minor differences in the top of the 'bolt' (from manufacturing)
2) Remaining threads: 4 +/-
3) Bump Height from base of strut tower: 2.25mm

With those measurements, the inside position (which has 5.5 mm and 4 threads) leaves 3.25mm of space to accomodate the thickness of the strut brace.

Does anyone know of an option that allows for removal of the bar, with the mounting plate material around 3mm thick? (Our 2005 with the OEM brace is not with me)

[elbert]

Does anyone know of an option that allows for removal of the bar, with the mounting plate material around 3mm thick? (Our 2005 with the OEM brace is not with me)

With a strut brace, you will want to use these special nuts that have an extended portion to give you more thread engagement.
p/n 51717895241

They're not cheap -- around $10 each.

[Cubieman]

Does anyone know of an option that allows for removal of the bar, with the mounting plate material around 3mm thick? (Our 2005 with the OEM brace is not with me)

Exactly what I am looking for but can't find.

- 100% flat footings
- Removeable center (done in a "good" way)

Doesn't seem to exist anymore, I am likely going to buy the RE bar I guess, but they say sometimes to install the bar you must jack up the car so the studs drop flush with the tower on one side.

There goes your alignment just to change an air filter or whatever, we need a new DMG like bar.

[fattycharged]

So there I was...wondering if I could put a used OEM strut brace on our 2002 (8/2001) M3. Our 2005 has the OEM brace; that's the only one I'm familiar with. I remove it often and prefer not to deal with options that aren't easily removed.

And I found this thread...what the hell?!...the bumps on the 2002? Difficult and more $$.

This car has the TC Kline camber plate and TCK DA setup. Key measurements:
1) Remaining length on strut 'bolt': 5.5 to 5.8 mm, with the variance mostly coming from minor differences in the top of the 'bolt' (from manufacturing)
2) Remaining threads: 4 +/-
3) Bump Height from base of strut tower: 2.25mm

With those measurements, the inside position (which has 5.5 mm and 4 threads) leaves 3.25mm of space to accomodate the thickness of the strut brace.

Does anyone know of an option that allows for removal of the bar, with the mounting plate material around 3mm thick? (Our 2005 with the OEM brace is not with me)

you can use the stock bar on your 02, i've been using one for years on my 01


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OldRanger]

you can use the stock bar on your 02, i've been using one for years on my 01

OK. I'll get six of the BMW Strut Brace Cap Nut - Genuine BMW 51712268565 elbert recommended...Using FCP, they're $12.50 ea...comes to $75 w/tax (it's a good thing I have a hefty FCP credit...that way I can pretend I'm not paying that much)

Next, I'll find a used OEM bar.

[old///MFanatic]

OK. I'll get six of the BMW Strut Brace Cap Nut - Genuine BMW 51712268565 elbert recommended...Using FCP, they're $12.50 ea...comes to $75 w/tax (it's a good thing I have a hefty FCP credit...that way I can pretend I'm not paying that much)
Next, I'll find a used OEM bar.

Well if you get a used OEM bar often you can get these deep set nuts with the used bar.
But sure, suppose you could return if you never use.

[bavarian3]

Exactly what I am looking for but can't find.

- 100% flat footings
- Removeable center (done in a "good" way)

Doesn't seem to exist anymore, I am likely going to buy the RE bar I guess, but they say sometimes to install the bar you must jack up the car so the studs drop flush with the tower on one side.

There goes your alignment just to change an air filter or whatever, we need a new DMG like bar.

say what?

[Cubieman]

say what?

Directly from Rogue website, this will make more sense than my short explanation. Basically they are saying sometimes the bar won't just slip over all 6 studs. I think one or both of my towers have moved so I might be in that category.

.....When fitting it on either an E36 or E46 with OE strut mounts, remove the 3 nuts from both sides. You can place one side of the RACEBRACE on one side and loosely install the nuts a few threads. For the other side, you may be required to lift up on that side with a floor jack to "lower" the strut stud threads move out of the way so that the bar may sit flat. Be careful NOT to jack it up too high as the entire strut may drop out of the strut tower. Once the bar can sit flat, you can lower the car so that the strut mount studs and protrude through the tower and the brace at the same time...

[eacmen]

Removing the strut bar with the car on the ground will not affect alignment. All i do is remove the bar on the ground then zip the nuts back on. Never had an alignment issue.

[old///MFanatic]

Removing the strut bar with the car on the ground will not affect alignment. All i do is remove the bar on the ground then zip the nuts back on. Never had an alignment issue.

He’s saying on cars that have issue being installed normally with a one piece brace. RE suggest to lift a side so the strut mount & studs slip down. That way the brace holes line up easier to get the studs from the bottom while flush. Making it the shortest distance between brace holes and studs side to side. As opposed to at a slight angle trying to clear raises strut mount studs (making it shorter) and not able to clear the studs on one side to mount brace.

But yes, even lowering like that with the alignment stud/nub intact I doubt the alignment would be thrown off.