Engine cross brace swap

Burnt C6 · 02-23-2022, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifeisgood20

Hey everyone-yesterday I went ahead and applied Vvivid carbon fiber vinyl wrap to the cross braces. While I’m certainly not a pro at applying vinyl wrap, I’m happy with how it turned out-great product BTW! Now I just hope it hold up to the extreme temp changes in Minnesota. I guess time will tell….

I tried to wrap but thought I would be able to do the parts on the end as well. What a PIA that was ended up just painting mine flat black. I like the way your looks.

BMWholesome · 03-21-2022, 03:25 PM

Personally I prefer the aluminium struts, but each to their own I suppose.

jcardea · 06-10-2022, 08:15 AM

Does anyone have proper torque specs for bolts hold these on??

jcardea · 08-10-2022, 12:48 PM

I recently purchased a set of used braces off eBay, cleaned them up and had them powder coated high gloss back. I have installed them and am considering having my originals powder coated in a different color like maybe bright red. Has anyone out there have other colors done and installed? Picture please if so.

SlntSam · 08-10-2022, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardea

I recently purchased a set of used braces off eBay, cleaned them up and had them powder coated high gloss back. I have installed them and am considering having my originals powder coated in a different color like maybe bright red. Has anyone out there have other colors done and installed? Picture please if so.

How much was powder coating? I'm considering just hitting mine with rustoleum, probably something like red or yellow as I'm a fan of fun colours.

jcardea · 08-11-2022, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlntSam

How much was powder coating? I'm considering just hitting mine with rustoleum, probably something like red or yellow as I'm a fan of fun colours.

I paid $20.00 per each one. I have local source so no shipping

snickryder · 08-11-2022, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardea

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlntSam

How much was powder coating? I'm considering just hitting mine with rustoleum, probably something like red or yellow as I'm a fan of fun colours.

I paid $20.00 per each one. I have local source so no shipping

That's a great price. I paid double that.

1Mors · 08-12-2022, 11:42 PM

Looking for some help researching the torque specs for the bolts that hold the braces. I dont have a shop manual and online hasn't been fruitful. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Fifthtoe · 08-13-2022, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Mors

Looking for some help researching the torque specs for the bolts that hold the braces. I dont have a shop manual and online hasn't been fruitful. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Rear strut brace: 56 nm all bolts
Front brace: 56 nm bolts on strut tower, 28 nm on front cross connection

1Mors · 08-13-2022, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifthtoe

Rear strut brace: 56 nm all bolts
Front brace: 56 nm bolts on strut tower, 28 nm on front cross connection

So 56 nm for all bolts and 28nm for the very front bolts? Thanks where did you get this information. I spent hours looking and nothing

is this correct ?

Fifthtoe · 08-13-2022, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Mors

So 56 nm for all bolts and 28nm for the very front bolts? Thanks where did you get this information. I spent hours looking and nothing

is this correct ?

Information is from repair manual. You are correct in your diagram.

Additional info: manual recommends that the bolts you circled yellow (56 nm) are replaced. New bolts should be tightened to 56nm and then an additional 1/4 turn.

I did not replace the bolts with new when I removed them and I only torqued to 56nm. I have driven around 11k miles without bolts loosening.

1Mors · 08-13-2022, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fifthtoe

Information is from repair manual. You are correct in your diagram.

Additional info: manual recommends that the bolts you circled yellow (56 nm) are replaced. New bolts should be tightened to 56nm and then an additional 1/4 turn.

I did not replace the bolts with new when I removed them and I only torqued to 56nm. I have driven around 11k miles without bolts loosening.

Outstanding. I need to get a repair manual so I can look this stuff up. I appreciate you looking this up for me. Thank you again.

Bking60 · 09-01-2022, 02:05 PM

I found the best price on the bolts from bmwpartsdeal.com
07147483888 M10x55 these must be replaced (largest bolts)
The other ones are 31106859809 ASA M8x30

1Mors · 09-01-2022, 03:09 PM

My braces should be back being power coated very soon. I have everything I need. I might replace the bolts.. it's only 56nm for those bolts.

I also bought a shop maintenance manual so I can look up all the specs for every component

I will get some pics when it's done..

by the way the maintenance book says to use helicoil on the threads.. I don't think that is necessary either but let's see when I do the replacement.

Bking60 · 09-01-2022, 04:08 PM

The helicoils are just for damaged threads.
When BMW says to replace bolts it's because they are aluminum and designed to stretch, but only once.

03-21-2022, 03:25 PM	#24
BMWholesome New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW X5 m50d G05 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Personally I prefer the aluminium struts, but each to their own I suppose.
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06-10-2022, 08:15 AM	#25
jcardea Private First Class 116 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive40I Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Statesville NC iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have proper torque specs for bolts hold these on??
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08-10-2022, 12:48 PM	#26
jcardea Private First Class 116 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 xDrive40I Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Statesville NC iTrader: (0)	I recently purchased a set of used braces off eBay, cleaned them up and had them powder coated high gloss back. I have installed them and am considering having my originals powder coated in a different color like maybe bright red. Has anyone out there have other colors done and installed? Picture please if so.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2022, 11:42 PM	#30
1Mors Lieutenant 437 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 xdrive40i msport Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Riverside, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X5 XDrive40i [10.00]	Looking for some help researching the torque specs for the bolts that hold the braces. I dont have a shop manual and online hasn't been fruitful. Thanks for any help you can provide.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2022, 02:05 PM	#35
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	I found the best price on the bolts from bmwpartsdeal.com 07147483888 M10x55 these must be replaced (largest bolts) The other ones are 31106859809 ASA M8x30
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2022, 03:09 PM	#36
1Mors Lieutenant 437 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 xdrive40i msport Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Riverside, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X5 XDrive40i [10.00]	My braces should be back being power coated very soon. I have everything I need. I might replace the bolts.. it's only 56nm for those bolts. I also bought a shop maintenance manual so I can look up all the specs for every component I will get some pics when it's done.. by the way the maintenance book says to use helicoil on the threads.. I don't think that is necessary either but let's see when I do the replacement.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2022, 04:08 PM	#37
Bking60 Private First Class 82 Rep 176 Posts Drives: BMW X5 2019 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	The helicoils are just for damaged threads. When BMW says to replace bolts it's because they are aluminum and designed to stretch, but only once.
	Appreciate 0 Quote