X-brace on a 1992 325iA (problem, HELP!!!!)

[Stupacalypse]

Anyone try putting an X-brace on a 92 automatic? I just did and it does not fit. The stock crossmember is mounted to the transmission and I don't think I can take it out without some problems happening (tranny shaking like a lap dancer during driving is one problem I see). I also noticed that there was a set of holes in front of the brace but the x-brace won't fit because the stock crossmember is still in the way. Anyone run into this problem who can give me any advise before I return the brace?

[psk145]

I never done this, but I read that you're supposed to take the stock crossmember off.

[Stupacalypse]

That's the thing. I can't take off the stock crossmember because it is also attached to the tranny via two mounts.

[Bernman]

Hmm, I can't imagine that it would be significantly different. Just to be sure you are looking at the correct crossbrace.

<img src="http://www.babelnetwork.com/kc/tim325is_2.jpg">

In this picture, the brace that you need to take off is right next to the guys right hand. The one to the left is the subframe that the engine and suspension attach to. You definately don't want to take this one off.

It doesn't seem like they would attach the transmission to this brace. There is another brace for the rear of the transmission. Are you sure it is not that one that you are seeing? Do you have a tube (brace) like the one shown in the picture on your car?

Baffled,
Bernman

X-Brace install sources:

http://www.babelnetwork.com/kc/xbrace.htm
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/sus...e_install.html

[Stupacalypse]

That picture is not similar to what is under my car. On my car that crossmember that you are supposed to take out has two brakects welded to it. Those brackets are then bolted to two rubber bushings. Those two rubber bushings are connected to yet another bracket that is directly connected to the automatic transmission. The only reason I can think as to why they are different might have to do with the suspension change that BMW implemented in June of 1992 (mine was built in March). For sh$#$ and giggles I took off my brace and tried to put the x-brace in it's place. When I did this I noticed that the hole on the front subframe cross member are not in their correct position. I would have to re-drill both holes (not to mention the contours of the X-brace and the cross member don't match up so it will probably not bolt up smoothly if I did) to get it to work.

So basically I am giving up on it because I really don't want to lose those tranny bushings (a little better turn in is not worth the virations I would ultimately experience). I'll just save up a little from my next two paychecks and pay a set of Eibach or RD sway kits to get rid of the body roll I so have come to hate. If anyone else out there has a pre-6/92 built car with either manual or auto tranny could look under their car to see if they have the same problem then I would greatly appreciate it. If you all do not have the same problem it probably means someone did some underbody work to my car (it had been in a wreck before but the guy told me it was mostly cosmetic with a tad bit of the frame geting nicked).

[Bernman]

You should try emailing the guy at the babelnetwork site. His first car (now sold apparently) was an automatic that he had installed the brace to. I don't remember seeing what year he had though. The picture is of his friend's car (a 93). Worth a shot.

Good luck,
Bernman

[seungboy]

Where did you get eh xbrace?