Chassis cross over strap damaged from 6" rock.

Buckman · 03-19-2006, 11:19 PM

I unfortunately tried to squeeze a 6" rock under a sport package 330i that has 5" clearance. I hit the rock at about 40 km/hr. This rock was in the middle of my lane in a construction zone. Bang! A trip to a dealer and I found the chassis cross over strap was dented/bent. Can anyone confirm if this strap's primary function is to provide a fastening medium for the engine cover, or is there a more important role for this member?
There is a little damage to the engine cover, but not too bad. The dealer is recommending I replace the chassis cross over strap ($175 cdn, S/I) and also check the alignment. We were a bit concerned the rock may have bent the beautiful aluminum beam that runs between the front two tires and above the cross over strap, but the beams seems to still be straight and undamaged. Man, the dangers of a low riding sports suspension! I was worried the rock was going to rip off the bottom of the engine.

Broken1 · 03-20-2006, 01:22 AM

Who drives over rocks?

a burrito · 03-20-2006, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

Who drives over rocks?

Given the worse conditions, you cant avoid some things.

NaTuReB0Y · 03-20-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken1

Who drives over rocks?

i tried doing it once with my 1984 toyota supra coming down from big bear....lots of rocks....
due to sliding rocks/mud...etc....and of course....the rock busted my exhaust pipe.......
i thought my car was high enough!

lux.sh · 03-20-2006, 02:08 AM

sorry to hear this. There are few occasions in life where you just happen to across those sh1tty situations without having enough time given to "defend".

but all in good laugh... what were you thinking? 6in rock???????? I would've noticed it from a mile away. pay attention to the road while driving!!!

best luck to you.

E90Fleet · 03-20-2006, 08:43 AM

BMW says you may not drive the car without the strap, so I would say you need to have it replaced ASAP

Buckman · 03-20-2006, 08:51 AM

A similar thing happened to my bro in a 2000 Beetle. However, it damaged his oil pan and dumped his motor oil all over the road. His check engine light came on (no doubt the engine was starting to overheat) about 2 minutes after it happened. He ended up lucky; no damage to the engine, but the repair was $1k to $2k.
I guess I better get the strap replaced. Yes, in hindsight, I should have swerved. But we also get clumps of frozen snow falling off vehicles in the winter (off fenders) that you see on the road, and this is actually what I thought it was. Clumps of snow don't usually bend suspension parts! This is just like a regular accident - you definitely get those "If I only would have done something differently" thoughts. SWERVE!

poldim · 03-20-2006, 10:52 AM

That sucks man....

Get some pics in here of the damage...

ben1364 · 03-20-2006, 02:37 PM

What is a "chassis cross over strap'?

ALPINE6SPD · 03-20-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben1364

What is a "chassis cross over strap'?

its a strap the crosses over the chassis. j/k

poldim · 03-20-2006, 11:12 PM

cute.

larryn · 03-21-2006, 07:36 AM

Do you mean the tranny mount?

Or do you mean the front axle support, which is item #1 in this link.

Both are extremely important, and should not go unfixed.

ben1364 · 03-21-2006, 09:14 AM

lni asked, "Do you mean the tranny mount? Or do you mean the front axle support?

Both are extremely important, and should not go unfixed."

I asked the same basic question yesterday. I have no idea what part is damaged. It does however sound serious.

Buckman · 03-21-2006, 07:49 PM

It is part #5, "Rod", on the second link. The left side of the link is dented and the small rectangular part towards the front of the "Rod" is also dented pretty good. We were initially concerned there might be damage to #1, "Front axle support". That is a beautiful aluminum part. We can't see any damage to the axle support, but I suppose we might find something this Saturday when I get the rod replaced. Great link. Thanks so much!

JVFan · 03-21-2006, 09:55 PM

This saddens me...that is, as some may remember, my identical sister car...

poldim · 03-22-2006, 12:56 AM

not identical anymore

03-19-2006, 11:19 PM	#1
Buckman Private First Class 29 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '22 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	Chassis cross over strap damaged from 6" rock. I unfortunately tried to squeeze a 6" rock under a sport package 330i that has 5" clearance. I hit the rock at about 40 km/hr. This rock was in the middle of my lane in a construction zone. Bang! A trip to a dealer and I found the chassis cross over strap was dented/bent. Can anyone confirm if this strap's primary function is to provide a fastening medium for the engine cover, or is there a more important role for this member? There is a little damage to the engine cover, but not too bad. The dealer is recommending I replace the chassis cross over strap ($175 cdn, S/I) and also check the alignment. We were a bit concerned the rock may have bent the beautiful aluminum beam that runs between the front two tires and above the cross over strap, but the beams seems to still be straight and undamaged. Man, the dangers of a low riding sports suspension! I was worried the rock was going to rip off the bottom of the engine.
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03-20-2006, 01:22 AM	#2
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Who drives over rocks?
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03-20-2006, 02:08 AM	#5
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	sorry to hear this. There are few occasions in life where you just happen to across those sh1tty situations without having enough time given to "defend". but all in good laugh... what were you thinking? 6in rock???????? I would've noticed it from a mile away. pay attention to the road while driving!!! best luck to you. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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03-20-2006, 08:43 AM	#6
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	BMW says you may not drive the car without the strap, so I would say you need to have it replaced ASAP __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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03-20-2006, 08:51 AM	#7
Buckman Private First Class 29 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '22 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	A similar thing happened to my bro in a 2000 Beetle. However, it damaged his oil pan and dumped his motor oil all over the road. His check engine light came on (no doubt the engine was starting to overheat) about 2 minutes after it happened. He ended up lucky; no damage to the engine, but the repair was $1k to $2k. I guess I better get the strap replaced. Yes, in hindsight, I should have swerved. But we also get clumps of frozen snow falling off vehicles in the winter (off fenders) that you see on the road, and this is actually what I thought it was. Clumps of snow don't usually bend suspension parts! This is just like a regular accident - you definitely get those "If I only would have done something differently" thoughts. SWERVE!
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03-20-2006, 10:52 AM	#8
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	That sucks man.... Get some pics in here of the damage... __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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03-20-2006, 02:37 PM	#9
ben1364 Captain 14 Rep 940 Posts Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (0)	What is a "chassis cross over strap'?
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03-20-2006, 11:12 PM	#11
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	cute. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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03-21-2006, 07:36 AM	#12
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Do you mean the tranny mount? Or do you mean the front axle support, which is item #1 in this link. Both are extremely important, and should not go unfixed.
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03-21-2006, 09:14 AM	#13
ben1364 Captain 14 Rep 940 Posts Drives: E90 330iA Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgetown, TX iTrader: (0)	lni asked, "Do you mean the tranny mount? Or do you mean the front axle support? Both are extremely important, and should not go unfixed." I asked the same basic question yesterday. I have no idea what part is damaged. It does however sound serious.
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03-21-2006, 07:49 PM	#14
Buckman Private First Class 29 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '22 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	It is part #5, "Rod", on the second link. The left side of the link is dented and the small rectangular part towards the front of the "Rod" is also dented pretty good. We were initially concerned there might be damage to #1, "Front axle support". That is a beautiful aluminum part. We can't see any damage to the axle support, but I suppose we might find something this Saturday when I get the rod replaced. Great link. Thanks so much!
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03-21-2006, 09:55 PM	#15
JVFan Lieutenant 36 Rep 515 Posts Drives: Very Well Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lloydminster, AB CANADA iTrader: (1)	This saddens me...that is, as some may remember, my identical sister car... __________________ 2012 328i White Luxury/ Saddle Brown
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03-22-2006, 12:56 AM	#16
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	not identical anymore __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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