840Ci e30 - Replaced Rear Shocks without adding metal brace to Shock Tower

[840ways]

1994 840Ci e30 - Who has replaced their Rear Shocks without adding metal brace to Shock Tower. There was a post regarding needing to add a metal brace (metal piece) to re-enforce the metal at the Shock Tower. Some people were experiencing a Rip-Tear of the Shock Tower connection when adding new Bilestein rear shocks. I am adding new Bilestein rear shocks. It should a simple swap!

[Coupenut]

I originally replaced the rear shocks on my 850i without the shock tower reinforcement, but I subsequently added it. I just wanted the peace of mind.
I saw an E31 with a failed shock tower earlier this year at Sharkfest. It's not a pretty repair to have to make when you're away from home.

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[JDP530]

Looks like these are the correct parts for left and right sides on the E31: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ft-41148152997 , https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ht-41148152998

I haven't found part numbers for front strut supports.

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[QUOTE=Coupenut;29907218]I originally replaced the rear shocks on my 850i without the shock tower reinforcement, but I subsequently added it. I just wanted the peace of mind.
I saw an E31 with a failed shock tower earlier this year at Sharkfest. It's not a pretty repair to have to make when you're away from home.

Do you have any photos of repairs? I am interested in this mod. Are the supports inserted and welded from inside the trunk? Thanks,

[kiwiCSi]

I think he means the two reinforcing plates that come from Phoenix Motorsport.

[Coupenut]

The reinforcing plates are a bolt on addition. They just bolt to the top of the strut towers on the inside of the vehicle.

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[JDP530]

Is this the correct part that I see on realoem? Item #12

[Wuffer]

Thats the part you need when your rear shock towers tear out cause you dony have the Phoenix reinforcement plates... 8-)

[kiwiCSi]

The reinforcing plates are a bolt on addition. They just bolt to the top of the strut towers on the inside of the vehicle.

That's correct - contact member '8Tech' for purchase of these plates.

He quotes, in an August 2017 thread on suspension refresh: Here I am installing the essential rear top mount reinforcements to prevent the very expensive repair of a split top mount area on the bodyshell. We are reusing the original nuts with a dab of threadlocker.

[rjbaren]

I am under the impression the shock tower reinforcements Need to be used when the car has been lowered by changing springs. I also bought a pair from Gerry Speechley at Phoenix Motorsport in the UK. Installation is a 10 minute job. I think Max Lumens may stock them locally in the Seattle area, for Gerry.

[kiwiCSi]

Yes, bought mine from Gerry awhile back, before I heard that Bill also sells them.

[8eights]

Got mines from Jon way before Gerry started selling them,)

[Mikekugel]

Got mines from Jon way before Gerry started selling them,)

I bought the Phoenix plates that Gerry makes from Bill, aka Max Lumens. They are a great fit, and roughly double the the original body thickness to spread the load where the studs from the upper shock mount go through the body. When I installed mine I was running an Eibach pro spring setup, since changed to BMW M-Sport. Both of the rear upper secondary shock bump stops were fractured, and the shock mounts themselves were hard as rocks! If you do replace it all, and install the reinforcing plates you will see that the studs don’t go far enough through to be able to get the lock nut all the way on. I bought some stainless steel bolts, and then also new lock nuts, and pushed the studs out of the upper mount, replacing with the longer bolts. You will need a helper to install, but the peace of mind knowing everything is well secured is worth it. Bye the way, the gasket between the upper shock mount and the body is NLA, so I just ran a bead of grey silicone around, and problem solved. Have fun.

[8eights]

I changed the studs as well, Randy did a write up on it some while ago, Been going strong with no issues since 05, I've changed springs with Csi, M'Sport, G-Power, Eibachs/Bilsteins.