Stranded M3 question: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 13, 2010 8:10 p.m. hotchocolate None

Hello guys, If there is any group in the world that can help me with this it is you. Anyway, my sister-in-law had a baby so i decided to go visit her. About 15 miles outside of Janeseville, WI i hear this loud noise. Thinking i have a flat i stopped to check. NO flat, but there is a loud rubbing noise. I looked underneath the car and saw nothing missing. I limped the car to my destination only to find out that i just lost a rear shock mounting bolt and have a flat (from driving on the shoulder of I-90).

The baby is beautiful--less than 24 hours old and the smallest human I have ever held:)

All this to to ask: Where can i find a replacement bolt ASAP? is there a non BMW replacement i can use to get me back home? I will be trying the junk yards tomorrow. Fortunately my wife is here and i can use her car.

Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Sept. 13, 2010 8:14 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

If the same bolt on the other side is still there just remove it and match it at a GOOD hardware store is all I can think of.

Edit: what chassis number? How about RealOEM.com ? When you finally get to the photos there is a callout for length and thread size on the bolts and hardware.
Sept. 13, 2010 8:25 p.m. hotchocolate New Reader

E36. I thought about removing the other one, but i figured i will ask first. No tools so i want to find the easiest way to do it. i will check the real OEM site. Thanks for the input.
Sept. 13, 2010 8:41 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

hotchocolate wrote:

E36. I thought about removing the other one, but i figured i will ask first. No tools so i want to find the easiest way to do it. i will check the real OEM site. Thanks for the input.

If you click on my link it should bring you right to the rear shock picture for your car
Sept. 13, 2010 9:14 p.m. hotchocolate New Reader

Thanks for the link. It was very helpful. I will check the hardware stores tomorrow. I found an M12x1.5x50 at oreilly's. hopefully 60 is not too hard to find.
Sept. 13, 2010 9:41 p.m. WilberM3 Reader

its probably a hardened bolt of either 9.8 or 10.9, if not 12.9. if you can read any ratings on the non-broken bolt head try to match that up.
Sept. 13, 2010 10:06 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader

Would a 50 work in a pinch? Otherwise Fastenal can overnight it if they dont have it in stock, and there is a good chance there is a Fastenal near you.
Sept. 13, 2010 10:50 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

in a pinch.. you could just remove the rear shock completely.. it will be an odd ride, but it will get you home..
Sept. 13, 2010 10:54 p.m. hotchocolate New Reader

Thanks, i will check fastenal. If they dont have it i will try to use the 50 to get me home. i will keep y'all up dated
Sept. 13, 2010 11:03 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

McMaster-Carr is another option if fastenal doesn't have one in stock...
Sept. 13, 2010 11:57 p.m. unevolved HalfDork

Check Ace Hardware. I've been impressed with their hardware selection in the past.
Sept. 14, 2010 6:40 a.m. ansonivan HalfDork

Have you checked the condition of the threaded hole in the rear trailing arm? I've seen people loose those bolts on a few occasions and the trailing arm has been damaged about half the time.

Also, don't try forcing the incorrect bolt into place or using a shorter one, replacing the trailing arm is no fun.

If it happens to be the passenger side trailing arm I do have a spare M3 arm I can ship you for a bargain basement price.
Sept. 14, 2010 8:40 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

what model of BMW is this anyway? If it is e30 shaped, you CAN run without the rear shock. I did it in my Ti when the bilstiens worked their way loose OVER the stock mounting bolt. I was on the PA turnpike when the car started behaving oddly, a look under the car showed the shock just hanging there.

A trip to the nearest Lowes netted me the washers I needed to put that problem to rights.. but it was a 30 mile trip at highway speeds..
Sept. 14, 2010 11:06 p.m. hotchocolate New Reader

Thanks guys. I knew i could count on you. The realoem website was/is very helpful. I found a temporary fix (8.8 m12x1.5x60) at ACE hardware. I made it home safely. I will order the proper part and make it a permanent fix.