front subframe reinforcement?

#1

When you get the 22/19mm antiroll bar kit from Ireland, does it include front subframe reinforcing pieces to weld on? If it doesn’t is this recommended on a 325i? (e.g. Turner kit)
thanks,
bruce

#2

It only comes with reinforced sway bar reinforcements, not subframe ones. The weld on reinforcements included with the kit are for the rear swaybar mounting tabs.

Turner also sells the subframe reinforcement weld-on plates for the front subframe, but those are only really needed if you run a harsher motor mount.

#3

bump.

How important is getting the front subframe reinforced? Can it be done w/o dropping the subframe? I have a friend who can come by and weld 'er up, but if its not necessary i won’t bother with it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

#4

I have never needed to weld front reinforcements - just installed what came with my bar’s kit - plug and chug. No problems since 2003.

The rears are a different story. I’d recommend triangulating the rear pickup points on the trailing arms, and also using ireland’s bushing reinforcements.

-Vic
SO #325

#5

^Thanks, will do on the rear for sure.

My understanding is that the front reinforcement is more for where the motor mounts sit. Is that right? I’ll be running 70D poly mounts. any need for concern?

#6

I’ve been running the ST kit since '03 and don’t have any front reinforcements. And I have the Ireland poly motor mounts too.

Carter

#7

Dan - I bought the TMS front reinforcement kit for the subframe. It is 2 pieces (each side) and the instructions say you must remove the whole front assembly. It looks to me like you could weld in the lower plate without removing the subframe. I have not installed but plan on watching for breaks. I also have the IE poly motor mounts. Mike’s car also has the poly mounts without the reinforcement kit - it has 3 years of racing and no problems yet.
Ed

#8

Sounds good enough for me. i’ll see what happens w/o them. Thanks

#9

I’m digging this thread up to see if any opinions have changed in the last 4 years since anybody posted here, rather than firing up a new thread.

I’m rebuilding the front and rear suspension on someone else’s SE30 now (after it has been in action for the better part of a season), and he sent a set of AKG “Front Subframe Engine Mount Reinforcement Plates” (part number RFSP30) and AKG “Front Swaybar Reinforcement Plates” (part number RFSWP30). Unfortunately, these parts showed up after I had already installed new Lemforder front control arms, and I won’t be removing the arms from the front subframe again (due to the destructive nature of zee pickle fork). The subframe will have to be removed from the car in order to properly prep and weld the pieces, so the arms, spindles, etc. will likely come with it in order to avoid removing/damaging any new ball joints; this will be a heavy mofo.

Front Subframe Engine Mount Reinforcement Plates

Polyurethane engine mount bushings are being used now. I inspected the bushing mount area on the subframe, and I do not see any cracking or anything else of concern. At the very least, I would replace the lower bushing washer with a large-diameter fender washer in order to spread out the load, rather than use the existing washer that is barely bigger than the nut. With that being said, are these reinforcement plates necessary or worth the effort?

Front Swaybar Reinforcement Plates

A 22 mm, non-adjustable front swaybar is currently on the car (Ireland, maybe? It’s green). The swaybar bushing housings are installed to the subframe with a washer between the housing and the subframe on the front bolts only, so that they “point downhill” instead of being level (whatever). I do not see any damage to the subframe in the area of these swaybar bushing mounts. Are these reinforcement plates necessary or worth the effort as well?

Thanks,
Mark

#10

Folks with a broader range of experience than I call our car flexy. Based on that I’d be inclined to reinforce anything that might make the frame less flexy, however the rules allow.

#11

My only experience is with the UUC front swaybar, but it came with a spacer so that the mount is level instead of pointing downhill. I haven’t read of anyone having issues with the front swaybar mounts just the rear ones. The kit came with reinforcements for the rear but not the front, so I would imaging that at least UUC feels that no reinforcement is needed for the front mounts.

#12

My car broke my front sway bar subframe mount. I got a new subframe and installed both of those kits. My buddy has a subframe that had a bent engine mounting area so I have seen evidence that can bend. They are cheap kits so if you have the subframe out and are doing some welding it cant hurt. Its a real PITA to do it later.

Get a front end service kit and it will have a press to easily pop out the ball joint that goes into the spindle. Or just remove the bolt and smack the end of the control arm with a big hammer. It will usually pop it right out. Then when the subframe is out just loosen the other ball joint nuts and leave it so it covers the top of the threads,smack it with a mini sledge hammer and your control arm is off and the spindles are still n the car. You only need to replace the nuts for the control arms. Works like a charm. I only use a pickle fork if the subframe is staying in the car.