Door break/ check strap problem

[AndyB]

Evening everyone

Just started work on my E30 after 2 year on the drive and just realised the door check bracket has come away from the inside of the pillar causing an awful cracking noise that sounds very loud. I cant see a way to get behind for loose bolts or anything like that so im assuming weld?

Is this a common problem ?

How do i go about fixing this? The noise is irritating as the car is doubling up as a garage for my tools/parts so is in frequent use!!

Thanks, Andy

[Brianmoooore]

Not a common problem, but one I've come across before. The bracket is welded into the A pillar, so the way to go is to drill a couple of 8mm holes in the pillar and plug weld the bracket back into place. If your car has a sunroof, there's a plastic drain tube inside the pillar to consider.
Are you sure it's the pillar end at fault? There's a common problem with the bit inside the door, where the frame that the strap slides through breaks on one side.

[AndyB]

Yes its the pillar bracket for sure
Very loose in the frame compared to the driver side.
I may consider changing the door break as a precaution after fixing said bracket


Thanks for your response and knowledge

Andy