Tow loop/hook/strap solutions?

[zzyzx85]

Is there a good solution for a tow loop/hook/strap for the E46? I've read that the factory hook attachment point is weak for those of us with the composite front crash beam. Is there one that uses the OE hole?

[George Hill]

Wanted to bump this.

The Kevlar bumpers are not very robust so that has me looking into options so I don't get my front end ripped off in the event I need to be drug off track, lol.

[bigjae46]

I've been towed a couple of times and hammered the aluminum plates flat. Usually the problem is the left side where the kevlar separates from the aluminum base plate. I'm making carbon fiber plates that bond/bolt to the kevlar crash beam - more as a repair than improving the durability.

I just fixed mine. I made the left side as a bolt through. It is a risk - carbon will shred instead of bend.

[George Hill]

bigjae46 do you have any pics?

I've been staring at it and I just can't see how to attach it to the frame rail AND have it exit the bumper in the stock location AND without seriously chopping up the kevlar bar.

Part of me thinks I'm going to chop up the kevlar bar and it'll get sandwhiched between a metal plate that has the "hook" on it.

[bigjae46]

bigjae46 do you have any pics?

I've been staring at it and I just can't see how to attach it to the frame rail AND have it exit the bumper in the stock location AND without seriously chopping up the kevlar bar.

Part of me thinks I'm going to chop up the kevlar bar and it'll get sandwhiched between a metal plate that has the "hook" on it.

There is a nub on the aluminum plate and it is bonded to the bar. I assume the plate is pressed and glued on. The right side has a bolt through the entire assembly. The aluminum plate bends at the top and bottom. The left side just gets ripped off.

All that holds it on are 2 nuts and 2 bolts on each side. I've been brainstorming a way to improve the mounting. Getting tired of messing with it.

[George Hill]

Oh yes, I mean there's (2) failure modes IMO:

1. The threaded bung tears out of the Kevlar bar
2. The Kevlar bar tears away from the mount

I think any proper solution is going to require it to be bolted to the frame horn but doing that and making the bar easily removable with the hook/strap in the stock location is the challenge.

Part of me is thinking about lopping that hole mount off the kevlar bar. Build something that bolts to the horn and then has a surface the kevlar bar bolts to.