Emily Johnson
BMW E85 strut towers are prone to mushrooming, a common problem affecting the suspension and chassis of the car. The strut towers of the BMW E85 are a weak point, and the forces acting on the shock absorbers or coilovers also act on the strut towers, causing them to flex and stretch over time. This can lead to issues such as knocking from the nearside front and visible cracking in the rubber of the top mount. To prevent mushrooming, reinforcement plates can be installed, providing additional support and strength to the strut towers. However, once the towers have already mushroomed, reinforcement plates may not be sufficient, and more aggressive methods may be required to correct the issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do BMW E85 strut towers mushroom? | Yes, strut towers of BMW E85 can mushroom. |
| How to prevent mushrooming? | By fitting a set of OEM BMW E46 shock tower reinforcement plates. |
| How to fix mushrooming? | By removing the struts, pounding the towers flat, priming and painting, and reassembling. |
| What happens if you don't fix mushrooming? | The car will start pulling to one side at lower speeds with a lot of wheel shakes. |
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What You'll Learn
BMW E85 strut reinforcement plates
While some BMW E85 owners have reported issues with noise after installing reinforcement plates, others have found them relatively inexpensive and easy to install. It is recommended to purchase reinforcement plates specifically designed for the BMW E85, as some generic plates may not fit properly due to differences in the locating pin on the mount.
When dealing with mushroomed strut towers, some BMW enthusiasts suggest using a block of wood and a hammer to reshape the tower top. However, this method may not achieve the same level of precision as using reinforcement plates, and there is a risk of bending the plate or not achieving the desired shape.
Reinforcement plates can be sandwiched between the strut and body, providing additional support and helping to prevent mushrooming of the strut tower. It is worth noting that some E46 owners have reported that their vehicles have some level of mushrooming, and reinforcement plates were one of the first modifications they made.
Overall, BMW E85 strut reinforcement plates are an important consideration for owners looking to reinforce their front strut towers, prevent mushrooming, and ensure the long-term durability of their vehicles.
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BMW E85 strut tower brace
Ultra Racing manufactures a 3-point front strut/tower bar brace for the BMW E85 Z4 2.5 & 3.0. This brace is made of solid metal and fits perfectly, according to customer reviews. It is easy to install, taking just a few minutes, and adds additional rigidity. However, it only comes in white, which some customers noted as a minor complaint.
Another option for a strut tower brace for the BMW E85 is from Racing Dynamics, which offers a stylish polished aluminium brace. This brace is also easy to install and fits the following BMWs: 2003-2008 Z4 BMW Z4 2.5i, Z4 3.0i, and Z4 3.0si.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, reinforcement plates can be used to prevent mushrooming of the front tower. These plates are relatively inexpensive and can be installed easily. However, some people have reported issues with noise after installing them.
Overall, a strut tower brace can improve the handling and performance of your BMW E85 by reducing chassis flex and providing more rigidity.
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BMW E85 strut tower mushrooming
The good news is that there are ways to address and prevent BMW E85 strut tower mushrooming. One solution is to install reinforcement plates, such as the OEM BMW E46 shock tower reinforcement plates, which provide additional strength to the strut towers. These plates are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making them a cost-effective preventive measure. However, if the strut towers have already mushroomed, reinforcement plates may not be sufficient, and more aggressive means may be necessary to correct the issue.
For mild to moderate mushrooming, a comprehensive fix involves removing the struts, pounding the towers flat using a block of wood and a hammer, and then performing a front-end alignment. This method can reform the thin metal of the strut towers, but it may not always be effective for severely deformed towers. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire strut tower or seek professional repair services.
To prevent mushrooming from occurring in the first place, it is recommended to regularly inspect the strut towers for any signs of deformation. Additionally, ensuring that the suspension is not bottoming out can help reduce the upward force on the strut towers when the car encounters potholes or other obstacles.
In summary, BMW E85 strut tower mushrooming is a common issue on BMW E46 3-Series cars due to the weakness of the OEM strut towers. While reinforcement plates can help prevent mushrooming, more aggressive measures may be needed if the towers have already deformed. Regular inspections and maintaining proper suspension clearance can also help reduce the likelihood of strut tower mushrooming on BMW E85 vehicles.
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BMW E85 strut tower deformation
The BMW E85 is essentially an E46 chassis, and it is common for E46s to experience strut tower mushrooming. This is caused by the suspension bottoming out, and can be fixed by removing the struts, pounding the towers flat, priming and painting, and then reassembling. This process can be done with a block of wood and a hammer, or by using a screwdriver to open the knuckle, although this runs the risk of cracking the metal.
Reinforcement plates can also be used to prevent strut tower mushrooming and deformation. These are relatively inexpensive and can be easily installed, although some users have reported issues with them making noise. It is also possible to install a strut tower brace for reinforcement, but only if the towers are not already deformed.
One user reported that their BMW E85 had a knock coming from the nearside front, which was caused by the rubber in the top mount failing. They replaced the shock absorbers, top mounts, and knuckle bolts, as well as the rubber top and bottom pads, dust cover kit, and bump stops. This user did not purchase reinforcement plates, as their top mounts showed no sign of the pins moving outwards.
Another user reported that their BMW E85 had a strut tower that was mushroomed, causing the car to pull to the right at lower speeds with a lot of wheel shake. This user did not specify how they fixed the issue, but mentioned that they had purchased a front strut brace.
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BMW E85 strut tower bolts
The BMW E85 is based on the E46 chassis, which is known for its strut towers mushrooming and the rear mounting holes blowing out. While it is not clear if the E85 has mushroom strut towers, it is likely to have similar issues to the E46.
Reinforcement plates can be used to prevent mushrooming of the strut towers. These plates are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and can be purchased from automotive suppliers such as Rockauto and Bimmerworld.
When installing reinforcement plates, it is important to consider the torque settings on the strut tower bolts. These bolts should be tightened to 30nm, as tightening them to 56nm will cause them to break. It is also recommended to use new bolts when installing a strut brace, as the old bolts are likely to snap under the torque required. These bolts can be expensive, with some customers complaining about being charged hundreds of dollars for bolts.
A strut tower brace can also be installed to provide additional front-end rigidity and improve suspension geometry. This brace is compatible with 6-cylinder E85 Z4s (2003-2008), including the M Roadster and M Coupe.
Some BMW E85 owners have reported issues with their cars pulling to one side at lower speeds and experiencing wheel shake, which could be related to strut tower mushrooming or other suspension issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The BMW E85 is based on the E46 chassis, which is known to have issues with strut tower mushrooming. While I cannot confirm if the E85 has this issue, it is likely to occur.
Strut tower mushrooming is caused by the forces acting on the shock absorbers or coilovers, which flex and stretch the strut towers over time. This is due to the thin materials used in the shock tower area to reduce weight.
If the strut towers have not yet mushroomed, reinforcement plates can be installed to strengthen them. If they have already mushroomed, the towers will need to be pounded flat and reinforced to prevent further issues.
