Rear Control Arm - Bolt Holes Stripped
GROUP 41Body
Bulletin Number
41 02 99
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
September 1999
Product Engineering
SUBJECT:
Threads Strip When Adjusting Toe on Rear Axle
MODEL:
E46
Situation:
When performing a wheel alignment on an early production (prior to 7/98) E46, it is possible to strip the threads for the toe adjustment, if the bolts are tightened with an impact wrench or are over torqued. The mounts in the body of later production cars were strengthened to be able to take an overtightening without failure.
Correction:
If the threads are stripped in an early production car there is insufficient wall thickness to permit a repair with a helicoil type insert. The mounts in the body must be replaced with late style (7/98 and later production) mounts which have more material.
Procedure:
Remove complete rear axle assembly per Repair Instructions 33 31 000. Remove fuel tank per Repair Instructions 16 11 030.
Scribe a line around both control arm mounts on the body to assist in properly locating the new mounts.
Use a spot weld drill to remove all accessible spot welds, taking care not to drill through the body. Two or three welds that are inaccessible can be ground out with a die grinder.
Remove both mounts and clean up area for welding.
Drill out the ten pre-marked welding points on the new mounts to 8 mm, and drill two additional holes as indicated (1).
Plug weld the mounts in position taking care that the welds are continuous and without voids that can cause corrosion.
Apply four bead welds (2) as per illustration.
Prime, paint and apply corrosion protection to the area. Inject cavity sealer through the bolt holes and through the access hole in the wheel well.
Parts Information:
This repair requires two mounts, part numbers 41 11 7 012 047/048.
Warranty Information:
Covered under the terms of the BMW new car limited warranty.