Rear Sub Frame Damage Assessment.

[trancenation]

Hello Folks,

Our 2000 E46 328i has recently experienced some chassis squeaks and upon closer inspection, I have found that the left rear (driver's rear) subframe has cracked/fallen through. I was wondering if anyone of you have experienced this and how severe you think the damage is on our vehicle.

I know that TMS sells a reinforcement kit and I wonder if it is too late to apply this fix. If anyone knows of a place in the Bay Area that can provide rear subframe repairs, please feel free to drop their name.

Any input is grateful! Thanks!

[derbo]

Performance Technic in Dublin, CA.


http://performancetechnic.com/

I'm not sure they will do a subframe replacement like this, but they did do reinforcements.

[JKO_ZHP]

You have me worried now.......
How/When did you notice the squeaking? Is it while driving or when you exit the vehicle, etc.? And can you tell without taking anything apart or lifting it up on stands?
Whenever I push down on my trunk, it squeaks a little. It was worse when I was on stock shocks and springs but even after replacing the FTABs, shock mounts, shocks, and springs, it still squeaks.

[Avetiso]

You have me worried now.......
How/When did you notice the squeaking? Is it while driving or when you exit the vehicle, etc.? And can you tell without taking anything apart or lifting it up on stands?
Whenever I push down on my trunk, it squeaks a little. It was worse when I was on stock shocks and springs but even after replacing the FTABs, shock mounts, shocks, and springs, it still squeaks.

I'd check, but post facelift coupé... Wouldn't be worried.

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[JKO_ZHP]

Still, there is a chance it could be that, no matter how small. I don't have much knowledge on suspension components but after replacing all the said parts above, I don't see what else could be causing the squeaking. It's not the trunk - definitely coming from something underneath.

EDIT: RTABs not FCABs*

[MrMaico]

Hello Folks,

Our 2000 E46 328i has recently experienced some chassis squeaks and upon closer inspection, I have found that the left rear (driver's rear) subframe has cracked/fallen through. I was wondering if anyone of you have experienced this and how severe you think the damage is on our vehicle.

I know that TMS sells a reinforcement kit and I wonder if it is too late to apply this fix. If anyone knows of a place in the Bay Area that can provide rear subframe repairs, please feel free to drop their name.

Any input is grateful! Thanks!

It wouldn't hurt to try taking it to a BMW dealer and see if they might still do a good will subframe replacement/repair. Can't hurt to ask.


You have me worried now.......
How/When did you notice the squeaking? Is it while driving or when you exit the vehicle, etc.? And can you tell without taking anything apart or lifting it up on stands?
Whenever I push down on my trunk, it squeaks a little. It was worse when I was on stock shocks and springs but even after replacing the FTABs, shock mounts, shocks, and springs, it still squeaks.

You don't have your park brake on by chance when this happens? Mine will squeak when getting in or out with the brake on.

[mLuMaN83]

You don't have your park brake on by chance when this happens? Mine will squeak when getting in or out with the brake on.

You are scaring me... I get the little creak when getting out with parking brake on.

I just keep telling myself that it's the shot bushings in the rear diff and whatnot. It most likely is honestly. If my SF is fried, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss. I have too much stress right now.

:shifty

[gmurphy]

You are scaring me... I get the little creak when getting out with parking brake on.

I just keep telling myself that it's the shot bushings in the rear diff and whatnot. It most likely is honestly. If my SF is fried, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss. I have too much stress right now.

:shifty

If you are worried have someone look at it


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[Avetiso]

If you are worried have someone look at it


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+1 better learn now.

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[SoCalZman]

I think the creaking when getting out of the car is common. I have had my subframe looked at a few times and it's ok (so far).

[MrMaico]

You are scaring me... I get the little creak when getting out with parking brake on.

I just keep telling myself that it's the shot bushings in the rear diff and whatnot. It most likely is honestly. If my SF is fried, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss. I have too much stress right now.

:shifty

:biggrin Didn't mean to scare anyone. I'm sure it's just something in the park brake mechanism that's squeaking. I wouldn't worry about it.

[trancenation]

Issue is resolved! No more creaking and the subframe is stronger than ever!

[Hornung418]

Issue is resolved! No more creaking and the subframe is stronger than ever!

What was the fix?

Sent from my GS3.

[trancenation]

Newly welded re-inforcement plate was added!

[Hornung418]

Okay. Nice fix.

Sent from my GS3.