ECsquared

Took my 05 E55 in to the dealer for an inspection and a creaking noise in the rear. They told me that a rear subframe bolt had sheared off. $5 part. 11 hours of labor to lower the subframe and replace the bolt. Any thoughts? Thanks.

FromM3toAMG

You are up **** creek.. this is something you really dont have many options on. Personally, if were you id find other things to replace while its out.. bushings maybe. i had to have my subframe repaired on my previous car.. $3500 later it was fixed, anyway point being labor is a PITA.. gas tank, exhaust, drive line....all of that has to come off. IF you choose not to replace this part.. it'll just get worse and probable cause damage to the rest of the bolts/bushings.

Edit:
Id be more concerned about how it sheared off to be honest.

pearlpower

Common more and more. Search and you will find a simple solution involving cutting the side of the frame and placing a new bolt/washer. Good as new.

viren.89

It doesn't take 11 hours of labour. I got it done from MB dealership as well

and according to the papers it took 8 hours lol and that's because they had to drill the bolt out.

Sometimes if the bolt pops out easily then you are looking at low labour.

Also, sub frame bushing was 85$ and I think bolt was 8$ something.

Good Luck

Redw20855amg

Don't cut the ****ing frame happens all the time at our shop get some good drill bits kle-line or better and a drill and drill it out then tap the hole. If any of my techs ever cut a frame and added a nut and bolt they would be fired on the spot! Your causing frame damage and structural integrity by doing so

AgSilver

I purchased a set of sub-frame bolts about 6 months ago and have been planning to have them Magnafluxed and then replace the existing bolts as a preventative measure. However, before I do this, I want to see if ARP can provide a compatible bolt. If so, that will certainly put an end to the problem

GregMB

If you ever find an ARP equivalent bolt, please let us all know....

The MB part seems to be barely adequate, and a nice ARP bolt should increase the strength margin significantly.

-G

AgSilver

The MB part # is A 002 990 74 22 which is an M12 x 1.5 x 86.5. ARP offers a M12 x 1.5 x 90 which is only 3.5mm longer and I think it should work. The ARP Kit# is: 674-1010 which has 5 bolts in the pack.

statepkt

What was the symptom of this issue? Just curious so everyone can understand what to look for.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

if the bolts hold then this will happen. rather have the bolts break than tear the chassis mounting points.

Broken bolt = No damage to chassis.


Bolt did not break (note damage to mounting location

Manuyc

yeah happened to me but only bolt sheered.. 600 job

AgSilver

[QUOTE=shardul;5788617]if the bolts hold then this will happen. rather have the bolts break than tear the chassis mounting points.

Cowabonga Buffalo Bob!!!

Point taken, but what caused such a failure?

Was this a result of high tensile strength bolts?

It would appear that there had been an extreme outside force to cause the frame to fail.

I saw a similar failure on a 219 that had had rear end impact damage.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

torque produced by these cars causes this failure.

Bolts were new on car with chassis damage.

ECsquared

The service advisor told me that torque was the cause of this bolt failure.

statepkt

Is there any noise or feeling from the rear end that can be used alert of this issue? OR is putting the car on a lift the only way to see?

ECsquared

The passenger side rear was creaking and groaning during any acceleration. Especially at start and stops.

statepkt

Thanks. Next time I am in the shop I will them to take a look.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

you can just crawl under the car and see all 4 mounting points.

statepkt

Fair enough

biggking

I jsut replaced my right rear control arm and I hear these sounds all the time.. time for some lift time!!!!!

statepkt

^If you still have that e46 your subframe is definitely at risk I remember having that constant worry for mine.

sircl55amg

does the cls body have the same problem ?

biggking

Yes you are correct. I sold it a while back but never had any issues with the subframe. You'd think with AMG or M cars they'd reinforce certain parts of the vehicle.. Guess not

statepkt

Well as far as I know the e90's didn't ever have this problem......so BMW must have figured it out (as sad as that sounds). By the way in 2003 BMW did add some subframe reinforcement in the M3's, just didn't make much difference.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Yes I have seen the CLS chassis also have this issue