Now, my question is if I can use the non-M brackets and thin bushings, and just reinforce the stock non-M frame mount instead of trying to fabricate a new frame mount to accommodate M5 bushing brackets? Is the frame mount the weak point or is the bracket the weak point? Also, where can I get new 25/18 bushings that fit in non-M brackets?
Now, my question is if I can use the non-M brackets and thin bushings, and just reinforce the stock non-M frame mount instead of trying to fabricate a new frame mount to accommodate M5 bushing brackets? Is the frame mount the weak point or is the bracket the weak point? Also, where can I get new 25/18 bushings that fit in non-M brackets?
It's always been the weld points on the frame mounts. The brackets themselves are pretty hardy. Except for the rears, then it's both the welds and frame brackets that are the problem.
I can't find those brackets on ESC's current website either under an E28 M5 suspension. Are those BMW stock parts or something of their own design?
vinceg101 wrote:
It's always been the weld points on the frame mounts. The brackets themselves are pretty hardy. Except for the rears, then it's both the welds and frame brackets that are the problem.
I can't find those brackets on ESC's current website either under an E28 M5 suspension. Are those BMW stock parts or something of their own design?
Hmm, I've never seen anything about reinforcing the rear brackets, how would one go about doing that? Triangulate it in some way?
From what I remember seeing somewhere earlier in a link to the ECS site, those frame brackets are NLA Anyway, so the point is moot.
I found a website that is claiming to have the M5 front frame mounts in stock, so I placed an order with www.bmwpartsupply.com We will see if they actually come through....
vinceg101 wrote:
It's always been the weld points on the frame mounts. The brackets themselves are pretty hardy. Except for the rears, then it's both the welds and frame brackets that are the problem.
I can't find those brackets on ESC's current website either under an E28 M5 suspension. Are those BMW stock parts or something of their own design?
Hmm, I've never seen anything about reinforcing the rear brackets, how would one go about doing that? Triangulate it in some way?
From what I remember seeing somewhere earlier in a link to the ECS site, those frame brackets are NLA anyway, so the point is moot.
I found a website that is claiming to have the M5 front frame mounts in stock, so I placed an order with www.bmwpartsupply.com We will see if they actually come through....
Good luck with that order, but I doubt they'll come through.
Oh, I'm aware of how to reinforce the frame mount, but I thought you said the bushing bracket was also failure prone in the rear? That page only goes over the frame mount.
And you're correct, the vendor let me know they actually don't have the part in stock. What a surprise....
Sorry, the weak part is really just the frame mount. Both its' design and its' installation are the issues.
The actual bracket (the one around the bushing and bar) is fine.
vinceg101 wrote:It's always been the weld points on the frame mounts. The brackets themselves are pretty hardy. Except for the rears, then it's both the welds and frame brackets that are the problem.
Sorry Vince, this isn't really true. The problem with the front mounts is the tab and slot design for the bushing keeper. I've never seen the frame welds fail, the tab tears out of the slot. As I said in the other thread, the M5 front mounts have bolts top and bottom, which aside from the size of the landing pad itself, is the primary design difference on the M5. The brackets have 4 holes as shown in the photos on this page, but the clamshells that surround the bushing only have a hole top and bottom so you pick two of the holes in the mounts and use them.
Personally, I think the existing smaller mounts could be used if you re-engineered the tab and slot arrangement so that the clamshell was bolted on both sides. You'd have to elongate the pad so that you could weld a nut to it. You might sacrifice some ride quality (not performance) by using the paper thin bushing that IE and others supply to accommodate the large bar in the small keeper, but as long as you prevent the tab from distorting and tearing out the problem will go away. Shawn D's writeup for the rears applies to all E28s.
Yep, me experience is that the slot in the bracket tears out which then breaks out the captive nut. Did that and went to the M5 stuff. Sadly, later sent the car to the yard.
I defer to your direct knowledge. I was letting my experience with the rear mounts jade my responses about the fronts. Since I used the IE front mount system, it was never an issue for my '88 535.
Learn something new everyday.
Well that last set of M5 FSB Frame Mounts: BMW pn 41-11-2-230-014 that were in the US are now in my garage and will be installed soon enough.
Curious why folks did not find these as the local dealer found them quickly enough and gave me the contact info for the dealer that had them. Ordered years ago and never picked up.
I guess it is time for Paul to engineer something to replace these.
Still looking for him to fab up some front caliper carriers for the E23 to allow bigger brakes.
wkohler wrote:Sounds like you're lucky enough to have a dealer that gives a shit, unlike some of us who are charged nearly twice list price.
Congratulations.
When I call the dealer for a part or an ASAP or whatever the guys in the Parts Dept know me from the fact I use the part number. And the dealer gives me parts at discounted prices. All I did was ask.
