Picked up a Strut Brace for the Vert

[rjcaptsean]

Found a nice Eibach brace on CL for a low, low price here in Atlanta. Is there anything special I should know regarding the installation? If I recall, the strut tower bolts were fairly tight in the holes, but will the strut move enough with the bolts loosened that I might require another alignment? If so, is there a way to avoid this?

[Jeffnhiscars]

Good score Sean. I think with the weight of the car on the strut mount nothing should move as long as you are just re&re'ing the 6 tower nuts and not jumping on the roof.

[emhallad]

^ +1
It shouldn't move if you don't rock / drive the car.

[MR 325]

Definitely do not need an alignment.

[87Cabrio89is]

One time use self locking nuts are used, so you'll need 6 more!

[rjcaptsean]

One time use self locking nuts are used, so you'll need 6 more!

Zoiks, good call! It's an Eibach so I think it is considered to have the "hinges" on the end caps. I guess that is not the best, but this is strictly a daily driver for my bride and there is a lot of front end chatter and steering wheel vibration, at least compared to my coupe. For the price I can't go wrong, and it should help a bit, at least until I get more support with an x-brace on the underside.

[MR 325]

One time use self locking nuts are used, so you'll need 6 more!

These do not need to be replaced every time, I don't care what anyone says.

I've worked on probably 100 E30 suspensions and never replaced them.

[Jeffnhiscars]

One time use self locking nuts are used, so you'll need 6 more!

Those are flanged nuts and I do not believe they are a one time use.

[rjcaptsean]

Since I am not home and bored silly, I was doing some research on my impulse buy from the other day. This is the serial number stamped on the bar: 2003920VA

Eibach doesn't list it on their site any longer and there isn't much info out there. One of the few references that I did find was a posting on Norcal E30. In it, he says this was for an early e30 and was too wide for his 90. Seems to infer that the earlier models had shock towers that might have been a bit farther apart? I have a feeling that his were just sagging toward the middle.

This is what I found on IEs website;

Performance part. Our stainless steel strut brace fits well and is very rigid yet lightweight. It has NO joints or swivels. Installation requires drilling of two 8mm holes for best strength (beware of flimsy aluminum bars from others - most are not rigid enough to work properly). Fits E30 325 and M3; does NOT fit the ix or 4 cylinder 318 4 models. Standard finish is powder coated black, polished stainless available as no cost option.
IMPORTANT! The BMW factory published body specification shows the distance between the strut towers should be 1002.2mm +/-2mm (39.5"), measured from center to center at the strut bearing opening in the inner fenders. The bar we manufacture is 1002.2mm, the published spec. However; we have found many cars (ranged across all years and models) can vary, depending on wear to the shock towers over time and imprecise manufacturing tolerances during the car's production. There is no published factory documentation of any difference in the body dimensions. We suggest you measure to ensure our brace will work without modification.


Guess I should look to add a Porta-Power to my wish list.

[87Cabrio89is]

Those are flanged nuts and I do not believe they are a one time use.

They are definitely self locking, I've done two suspensions (by the book) and used new nuts, they are cheap! If you look at the nuts before putting them on, there is an obvious oval shape to the threaded part. BMW engineers selected them for a purpose. I don't wish to second guess them over $2 worth of new nuts.

Yes, they do have a collar.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...11&hg=31&fg=10

[Jeffnhiscars]

I re use them as do others so not to second guess BMW, but perhaps not every non-nylock self locking nut is one time item. Just sayin'