Cracked Front Crossmember

Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:01 am

My crossmember has broken at the nearside anti-roll bar mounting point. I don't recall hearing of this before.
Does it happen, or have I been unlucky?

Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:01 am

I have seen it a few times whilst down A-tech seems to becoming more common as the cars get older.
the last 2 have both been tourings

Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:25 am

Also very common when people fit big beefy ARBs.

Ian.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 10:29 am

Agreed Ian

extra stress on ARB mounts

Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:13 pm

ian332isport wrote:Also very common when people fit big beefy ARBs.

That include ARB poly bushes????

I've already decided to fit new genuine BMW ones and find a victim for the polys.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:17 pm

My dads crossmember cracked or something like that, could of been something to do with the engine mountings.

Didn't have poly bushes on, probably his driving style.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:35 pm

maxfield wrote:My dads crossmember cracked or something like that, could of been something to do with the engine mountings.

M3 crossmembers always seem to crack where the engine mounts sit. I think it must be a vibration thing. Never happens with a heavier 6 pot lump.

Ian.

Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:34 pm

I had a front crossmember replaced because of cracks at an engine mount tab. E30 325i Cab

Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:41 pm

I'm going to get the cracked one welded and possibly beefed-up a bit and keep it for a spare.

Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:53 pm

Seen this quite a few times, a lot of cars i have seen have been repaired with 2 large washers!

Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:57 pm

Common issue.. I have a beefed up one waiting to be fitted..

Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:33 pm

PYF had a 22mm front hartge anti roll bar fitted on the hardest setting. 40 laps of the ring and i had no cracking issues. Could this be more to do with rust setting in?

Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:41 pm

Jhonno, got any pics? I'm gonna be fitting an M3 X-member soon. Would that benefit from any extra???

Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:50 pm

I've alos got a X member waiting to be beefed up so any pics of where the cracks tend to happen and any strengthened ones would be much appreciated.

Stu come on, I know you don't like it but, get some piccies taken

BECAUSE

Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:29 am

I had the same thing happen ... also on a touring, no poly bushes or uprated mounts, all stock.

The front tab where the n/s ARB bracket attaches broke clean off .. it looked like rust got the better of it.

Thought about welding a new tab, ended up finding and fitting another subframe. Which turned out to be an easier job than it looks

Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:24 am

Simon13 wrote:Could this be more to do with rust setting in?

Not in my case. Cleanish break.

johnl320 wrote:Stu come on, I know you don't like it but, get some piccies taken

If I remember, I'll sort that next weekend when we get back off holiday.

Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:48 am

When i bought my iS the crossmember was broken around the engine mounts on both sides. Just replaced it with a newer one

Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:44 am

The x member on my black tech1 cracked at one of the engine mounting points. I think I caused this going over a lay-by curb at about 55mph

Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:28 pm

I nearly ripped the rear crossmember ARB tab off recently. On my last track day I managed to sheer off the actual ARB bracket, bent the hell out of the tab and nearly ripped it off. I replaced the bracket and bent it back, but I was surprised how flimsy the tab really was.

Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:56 pm

my last e30 had a cracked crossmember!

Sat May 02, 2009 8:35 pm

johnl320 wrote:Stu come on, I know you don't like it but, get some piccies taken
BECAUSE

As you asked so nice and politely John.....

Sorry it's not a particularly good pic, but I think you'll get the idea.

Sat May 02, 2009 8:43 pm

Nice one Stu, the ARB tabs are quite thin I'm going to beef up the ones on my spare X member. Also going to beef up engine mounting points.
Are you running anything other than standard ARBs Stu?

john

Sat May 02, 2009 8:58 pm

johnl320 wrote:I've alos got a X member waiting to be beefed up so any pics of where the cracks tend to happen and any strengthened ones would be much appreciated.

Stu come on, I know you don't like it but, get some piccies taken

BECAUSE

ian332isport's thread show where they need/benefit from strengthening - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ber+adjust

Sat May 02, 2009 9:00 pm

johnl320 wrote:Are you running anything other than standard ARBs Stu?

Standard bar, poly bushes and poly link bushes.
When I fitted the new crossmember, I replaced the ARB bushes with new genuine ones but I'm still running the poly bushes in the links. If I still have an issue with the link - wishbone brackets fracturing, I'll replace the links with genuine ones as well.

Sat May 02, 2009 9:07 pm

gcs325i wrote:
johnl320 wrote:I've alos got a X member waiting to be beefed up so any pics of where the cracks tend to happen and any strengthened ones would be much appreciated.

Stu come on, I know you don't like it but, get some piccies taken

BECAUSE
ian332isport's thread show where they need/benefit from strengthening - http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ber+adjust

Nice one, I haven't seen that thread before

cheers
john