Strut Bar "Tightness" Question

E90330iS · 03-21-2009, 10:16 PM

Hey guys, I recently installed a BMW Strut Bar (The metal one) and I screwed it on the poles very tight. I checked the bar today when I was cleaning the engine and I saw the nuts and screws sinking into the bar and also saw micro bends of the metal. Did I screw the bolts on too tight? If I untighten the bolts a bit would it affect the handling? Thanks guys.

noro · 03-21-2009, 10:33 PM

As far as I know the spec is 18 ft lb. Loosen them and re tighten using a torque wrench.

E90330iS · 03-22-2009, 02:59 AM

i can get them very tight no proble, but should i?

noro · 03-22-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90330iS

i can get them very tight no proble, but should i?

I don't know how else to tell you what I just said in my previous post. It's not about getting them as tight as you can. You need to use proper torque and to do so you need a torque wrench.

smellthebeans · 03-22-2009, 09:31 PM

18lb feet of torque is not much. Compare to your wheel bolts at 110-120 pound feet.

noro · 03-22-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellthebeans

18lb feet of torque is not a much. Compare to your wheel bolts at 110-120 pound feet.

110-120 for wheels is an outdated spec. There were rotor warpage issues so BMW changed the specs to 80ish lb feet.

BK · 03-22-2009, 11:31 PM

FWIW, wheel bolts on the E90 should be 88.5 lb-ft (120 Nm).

E90330iS · 03-22-2009, 11:48 PM

ahh i see...

smellthebeans · 03-23-2009, 02:16 PM

okay...120Nm.

To many technical experts around here.

My point is 18 pound feet of torque is not that much. OP could have easily over torqued bolts or nuts. An easily correctable mistake...proper settings should be in original documentation. Or, he can call the service and parts department and ask.

03-21-2009, 10:16 PM	#1
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Strut Bar "Tightness" Question Hey guys, I recently installed a BMW Strut Bar (The metal one) and I screwed it on the poles very tight. I checked the bar today when I was cleaning the engine and I saw the nuts and screws sinking into the bar and also saw micro bends of the metal. Did I screw the bolts on too tight? If I untighten the bolts a bit would it affect the handling? Thanks guys. __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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03-21-2009, 10:33 PM	#2
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	As far as I know the spec is 18 ft lb. Loosen them and re tighten using a torque wrench. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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03-22-2009, 02:59 AM	#3
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i can get them very tight no proble, but should i? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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03-22-2009, 09:31 PM	#5
smellthebeans Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: LPCs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2) Garage List 1990 325i [0.00]	18lb feet of torque is not much. Compare to your wheel bolts at 110-120 pound feet. __________________ Last edited by smellthebeans; 03-23-2009 at 02:10 PM..
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03-22-2009, 11:31 PM	#7
BK Smiling politely 167 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	FWIW, wheel bolts on the E90 should be 88.5 lb-ft (120 Nm). __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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03-22-2009, 11:48 PM	#8
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	ahh i see...
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03-23-2009, 02:16 PM	#9
smellthebeans Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: LPCs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2) Garage List 1990 325i [0.00]	okay...120Nm. To many technical experts around here. My point is 18 pound feet of torque is not that much. OP could have easily over torqued bolts or nuts. An easily correctable mistake...proper settings should be in original documentation. Or, he can call the service and parts department and ask. __________________
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