cracked rear subframe

[badbiturbo]

ok, i took my car to get an oil change today and found out i have a MAJOR problem already, i have a neuspeed swaybar on the rear of my car and the area where it mounts to the rear subframe on both sides is broken off!! The guys at the shop that looked at it say that the rear subframe has to be replaced. Im just trying to figure out if this hhas happened to anyone else and an idea of what the repair will cost. The guy said that its common with neuspeed sways and that the put too much tension on the mount.

[MacDaddy]

so, where the swaybar mounts to the subframe broke?

if thats the case, its becuase the swaybar put too much strain on those mounts. with your overly stiff rear swaybar.

find someone to weld it, re-install your stock swaybar and leave it alone.

[BurnAll4S4]

isnt the rear subframe aluminum at that point? or is it steel? cant remember.

[badbiturbo]

bought the car with that swaybar on, it broke right under where the rear lower control arm bolts to the subframe, i was thinking if i could get it welded too

[BurnAll4S4]

bought the car with that swaybar on, it broke right under where the rear lower control arm bolts to the subframe, i was thinking if i could get it welded too

is that steel or aluminum?

[badbiturbo]

im guessing aluminum because its a 2000. Will a a4 subframe fit? i know it wont be aluminum though

[MacDaddy]

try welding it, if it dosn't work your only out like $30.

[BurnAll4S4]

im guessing aluminum because its a 2000. Will a a4 subframe fit? i know it wont be aluminum though

if its aluminum good luck finding a place that can/will weld it.

[badbiturbo]

figured thats why they said to replace it, i found one on ebay for 200 bucks out of an 99 a4, will this fit? i know its not aluminum though, that much of a weight difference

[Das General]

aluminum can be welded.

[badbiturbo]

anyone know someone that will weld it in the central jersey area, or that will replace a rear subframe for a decent price

[Das General]

I am willing to bet Greg @ SSP can do it for cheap. He usually buys auctioned cars, and I am sure he has a subframe hanging around.

[Bimmerchop]

wtf... and to think, I'm getting rid of my car for a B5 because of the subframe problems on E46s

[badbiturbo]

yeah shit sux, is greg a member on here, where could i reach him?

[Das General]

2001S4NY

[Europowerhaus]

the cracked rear subframe points is the reason why Hotchkis made psecial brackets to reinforce and relieve stress in that area...weld the subframe, plenty of welders here in NJ if you need one PM me

[badbiturbo]

yeah im definitely throwing out this bar when i get a new one, rather go back to stock

[S4-ORCE]

Thats why Neuspeed made the adapters to relieve the stress...

[MacDaddy]

wtf... and to think, I'm getting rid of my car for a B5 because of the subframe problems on E46s

I wouldn't do that, its easy to fix and BMW actually has a reinforcement kit for that issue.

[Bimmerchop]

I wouldn't do that, its easy to fix and BMW actually has a reinforcement kit for that issue.

No they don't. Trust me, I've gone through this with BMW, not once, twice, or even 3 times, but 4. I'm no stranger to the subframe issue on E46s. The best you can hope for is maybe getting BMW to cover the repair, and pray it won't happen again. Turner Motorsport sells a reinforcement kit for the subframe.

[MacDaddy]

well that sucks, I've heard alot of horror stores about the US BMW dealers.

My friend picked up a E46 cheap because it had the rear subframe problem, he said he got the reinforcement kit from the dealer (shrugs)
his way of getting it all fixed was by buying a bunch of beer and inviting over some friends including one with a welder.

[Bimmerchop]

Yea, sometimes you just get lucky, other times not. Only recently has BMWNA been repairing "some" subframe damage. I know in Europe they addressed the issue a lot sooner. So I'm done with the E46 for now.

[docurley]

I'm sure the rear subframe is all steel as I have an RS4 unit I due to sell and it all looked like steel to me.

A4 rear subframe are the same providing it's from a face lift A4 Quattro if not the part No chamges from D (preface) to H face lift.


The only thing I can see that is ally on the subframe is the diff brace that bolts to the frame.

[tike0rz]

My rear subframe was cracked in three places. I had them welded, and bought a Neuspeed rear sway with subframe support. It holds up like a champ no matter how hard I throw it around. I think

[quicksilver_S]

No they don't. Trust me, I've gone through this with BMW, not once, twice, or even 3 times, but 4. I'm no stranger to the subframe issue on E46s. The best you can hope for is maybe getting BMW to cover the repair, and pray it won't happen again. Turner Motorsport sells a reinforcement kit for the subframe.

What are you talking about? Are you saying that turner motorsport reinforcement kit dont work? I think turner is the only one out there with the reinforcement kit of the e46

Im confused about your reply since you replied to MacDaddy about bmw reinforcement kit dont work.

[Bimmerchop]

What are you talking about? Are you saying that turner motorsport reinforcement kit dont work? I think turner is the only one out there with the reinforcement kit of the e46

Im confused about your reply since you replied to MacDaddy about bmw reinforcement kit dont work.

I don't have experience with the Turner kit, I was addressing the supposed BMW reinforcement kit. I've had my subframe repaired twice by the dealership, with their supposed way of reinforcing the subframe. Both times failed at preventing the damage. The 3rd time I tried a well respected independent shop instead, but it also failed again recently. Both the dealership, and indy shop used the same manner to reinforce the subframe as the turner kit; welding in sheet metal on the upper and lower tabs of the subframe mount. 4x I have had subframe damage, and every repair/reinforcement has failed at preventing it from happening again.

[badbiturbo]

My rear subframe was cracked in three places. I had them welded, and bought a Neuspeed rear sway with subframe support. It holds up like a champ no matter how hard I throw it around. I think

Nice to know someone else previously shared my pain