Cheap EBay Strut Brace

mashpotato · 09-17-2020, 02:14 PM

just got it installed. Mid-cornering is more flat, and precise. Braking is also a bit more consistent if dive a bit deeper. Everything on the suspension is stock.

burro_blasta · 10-15-2020, 02:34 PM

Just sending out some gratitude to you guys - great thread - ordered mine, got all the install tips and torque specs I'll need from you all

ramman434 · 10-16-2020, 12:09 PM

As long as you have the right bits, it's a quick install. I had to pull the bar itself (mounts stayed on) a month ago to change my spark plugs. Had it completely off in under a minute, and same to remount. Super easy

Gjohnson7 · 10-19-2020, 06:18 PM

My EBay strut bar just got delivered.

Gjohnson7 · 10-19-2020, 08:02 PM

Install was cake.

lsturbointeg · 10-19-2020, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjohnson7

Install was cake.

dude, you need to wash and detail that engine bay!!!

Gjohnson7 · 10-19-2020, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjohnson7

Install was cake.

dude, you need to wash and detail that engine bay!!!

Lol! I was thinking the same thing!!!!!!!!

BimmerHausPerformance · 10-25-2020, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjohnson7

Lol! I was thinking the same thing!!!!!!!!

Ha, have fun adjusting your BC coil overs now... we are in the same boat

Gjohnson7 · 10-25-2020, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gjohnson7

Lol! I was thinking the same thing!!!!!!!!

Ha, have fun adjusting your BC coil overs now... we are in the same boat

Lol, I was thinking the same thing!

Oh, cleaned up the engine bay.

Still need to paint my strut bar and other bars.

Unspec · 10-25-2020, 11:07 PM

For those who want to still adjust their coilovers: if your brand offers the remote adjuster stick things, just drill a hole into the mounting base and stick it through. I'm about to test this myself lol

Gjohnson7 · 10-26-2020, 12:23 PM

Let me know how this works. Although, I don't plan to adjust my coils often.

BimmerHausPerformance · 10-26-2020, 12:31 PM

How would that work? I would guess the base plate wouldn't allow you to access it, but maybe I need to go check it out... I'd be very interested in this mod.

Unspec · 10-27-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

How would that work? I would guess the base plate wouldn't allow you to access it, but maybe I need to go check it out... I'd be very interested in this mod.

It's these things:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/br-...dium=ppc&ttv=2

Basically, it replaces the original knob, and is a flexible metal rod. You'd thread that through the hole you drill in the base plate, and can then rotate it. Works on the same principle as those flexible screwdriver attachments.

They might look too long, but that's because they're intended to be cut to length. Take top knob off, cut it, then reattach top knob to the shortened wire.

BimmerHausPerformance · 10-27-2020, 11:32 PM

Seriously? More toys!? Fun never ends with this stuff...

burro_blasta · 10-30-2020, 08:15 PM

Install was extremely straightforward - unlike BrowBMW, who has a full Kardashian season's worth of strut bar drama

:

Huge sigh of relief when all my mount bolt holes lined up.

A few things to add:

- the hex on my bolts isn't 1/4", it's a bit larger and actually 7mm. It takes enough force to do the initial clamping of the bar mount that I figure the 1/4" hex would've left me brokenhearted with a stripped bolt head. Reminder that the other nuts are 17mm (two need socket and two need wrench). 28nm on the 6 strut tower bolts and 24nm on the two bar mounts indeed felt reasonable

- like BrowBMW I have the BMS intake. Like him, I removed the vertical torx screw to allow the filter and tube to shift forward 1/2-1" (towards the bumper) so the strut bar had clearance. Before that I took off the intake in order to move the intake clamp screw to the underside so it didn't bump against the bar. Unlike BrowBMW, after the bar was bolted down I was able to push the filter/tube back into place and line up/screw in the torx screw without issue. Maybe I'll have some issues after some driving, dunno. Pics attached

- my bar is a bit scratched up, and I figure this is some kind of "factory seconds" situation where the seller got the hook up and is unloading stuff that's not suitable for the showroom. Whatever, as you can tell from my engine bay I'm not planning on showing off anytime soon

BimmerHausPerformance · 11-02-2020, 07:47 AM

Nice! Just paint the bar anyway and you'll be good to go! Drama... wait til you see the diverter valve video - It went from a DIY to a bloopers video.

ramman434 · 11-02-2020, 03:16 PM

Mine was scratched up too. I posted pics a couple pages back. Eventually I'll just paint it.

Gjohnson7 · 11-18-2020, 08:26 PM

Got my Strut bar installed. Everything lined up perfectly. Now I just need to pull it back off with the other braces and lay down some paint.

BMW F10 Mods: Ebay Strut bar install

SWFLf10 · 12-16-2020, 12:07 PM

Just ordered mine today on eBay. $45 plus $39.78 shipping. Should arrive sometime in January or February. Looking forward to installing it and replacing a few more parts of the suspension when I eventually have time.

09-17-2020, 02:14 PM	#199
mashpotato Private 29 Rep 79 Posts Drives: '11 F10 N55 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	just got it installed. Mid-cornering is more flat, and precise. Braking is also a bit more consistent if dive a bit deeper. Everything on the suspension is stock.
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10-15-2020, 02:34 PM	#200
burro_blasta Lieutenant 130 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2013 535 M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Just sending out some gratitude to you guys - great thread - ordered mine, got all the install tips and torque specs I'll need from you all __________________ 2013 535xi M Sport (PWG) // PS2 // Spool fx150 // MHD // xHP // FTP Inlet // FBO: AR HF DP, Wagner IC, BMS Intake, VRSF CP
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10-16-2020, 12:09 PM	#201
ramman434 Lieutenant 712 Rep 538 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	As long as you have the right bits, it's a quick install. I had to pull the bar itself (mounts stayed on) a month ago to change my spark plugs. Had it completely off in under a minute, and same to remount. Super easy __________________ '07 Montego Blue/Saddle Brown E92 335i - 6spd. - SOLD '16 Carbon Black Metallic F10 535i M-Sport - TOTALED 11/21/21 '13 Black Sapphire Metallic F30 335i M-Sport - unknown charge pipe, MSport Exhaust, 20" 405M wheels, $61k MSRP, CF M4 Mirror caps & Spoiler, NGK plugs, Dinan Coils, BMS intake
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10-19-2020, 06:18 PM	#202
Gjohnson7 Lieutenant 255 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 11' BMW 535i, 12' Lexus RX350, Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Broken Arrow, OK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 535i [0.00]	My EBay strut bar just got delivered. Attached Images __________________ Checkout my YouTube channel, Like and Subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/user/Gjohnson7771 MHD Flash, RVG Catless DP, RVG CP, RVG Boost Pipe, Walbro 455 LPFP, Style 433 Wheels, BC Coilovers, Ebay Strut bar, M-Sport Front Conversion, RVG FMIC, 6WB Cluster.
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10-19-2020, 08:02 PM	#203
Gjohnson7 Lieutenant 255 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 11' BMW 535i, 12' Lexus RX350, Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Broken Arrow, OK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 535i [0.00]	Install was cake. Attached Images __________________ Checkout my YouTube channel, Like and Subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/user/Gjohnson7771 MHD Flash, RVG Catless DP, RVG CP, RVG Boost Pipe, Walbro 455 LPFP, Style 433 Wheels, BC Coilovers, Ebay Strut bar, M-Sport Front Conversion, RVG FMIC, 6WB Cluster.
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10-25-2020, 11:07 PM	#208
Unspec Colonel 1295 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 535xi Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: DMV iTrader: (1)	For those who want to still adjust their coilovers: if your brand offers the remote adjuster stick things, just drill a hole into the mounting base and stick it through. I'm about to test this myself lol __________________ 2015 BMW 535xi Bootmod3 Stage 2 \| ER charge pipe \| ER Catted DP \| Remus Exhaust \| Gplus FMIC \| KW V3 \| Turner Monoball thrust arm bushings \| Wallet regrets ISTA VM Setup/Tutorial
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10-26-2020, 12:23 PM	#209
Gjohnson7 Lieutenant 255 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 11' BMW 535i, 12' Lexus RX350, Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Broken Arrow, OK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 535i [0.00]	Let me know how this works. Although, I don't plan to adjust my coils often. __________________ Checkout my YouTube channel, Like and Subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/user/Gjohnson7771 MHD Flash, RVG Catless DP, RVG CP, RVG Boost Pipe, Walbro 455 LPFP, Style 433 Wheels, BC Coilovers, Ebay Strut bar, M-Sport Front Conversion, RVG FMIC, 6WB Cluster.
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10-26-2020, 12:31 PM	#210
BimmerHausPerformance Major 513 Rep 1,442 Posts Drives: 2011 535i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	How would that work? I would guess the base plate wouldn't allow you to access it, but maybe I need to go check it out... I'd be very interested in this mod. __________________ 2011 F10 S55 6MT Website Insta @bimmerhausperformance YouTube
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10-27-2020, 11:32 PM	#212
BimmerHausPerformance Major 513 Rep 1,442 Posts Drives: 2011 535i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	Seriously? More toys!? Fun never ends with this stuff... __________________ 2011 F10 S55 6MT Website Insta @bimmerhausperformance YouTube
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-30-2020, 08:15 PM	#213
burro_blasta Lieutenant 130 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2013 535 M Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Install was extremely straightforward - unlike BrowBMW, who has a full Kardashian season's worth of strut bar drama : Huge sigh of relief when all my mount bolt holes lined up. A few things to add: - the hex on my bolts isn't 1/4", it's a bit larger and actually 7mm. It takes enough force to do the initial clamping of the bar mount that I figure the 1/4" hex would've left me brokenhearted with a stripped bolt head. Reminder that the other nuts are 17mm (two need socket and two need wrench). 28nm on the 6 strut tower bolts and 24nm on the two bar mounts indeed felt reasonable - like BrowBMW I have the BMS intake. Like him, I removed the vertical torx screw to allow the filter and tube to shift forward 1/2-1" (towards the bumper) so the strut bar had clearance. Before that I took off the intake in order to move the intake clamp screw to the underside so it didn't bump against the bar. Unlike BrowBMW, after the bar was bolted down I was able to push the filter/tube back into place and line up/screw in the torx screw without issue. Maybe I'll have some issues after some driving, dunno. Pics attached - my bar is a bit scratched up, and I figure this is some kind of "factory seconds" situation where the seller got the hook up and is unloading stuff that's not suitable for the showroom. Whatever, as you can tell from my engine bay I'm not planning on showing off anytime soon Attached Images __________________ 2013 535xi M Sport (PWG) // PS2 // Spool fx150 // MHD // xHP // FTP Inlet // FBO: AR HF DP, Wagner IC, BMS Intake, VRSF CP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-02-2020, 07:47 AM	#214
BimmerHausPerformance Major 513 Rep 1,442 Posts Drives: 2011 535i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	Nice! Just paint the bar anyway and you'll be good to go! Drama... wait til you see the diverter valve video - It went from a DIY to a bloopers video. __________________ 2011 F10 S55 6MT Website Insta @bimmerhausperformance YouTube
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-02-2020, 03:16 PM	#215
ramman434 Lieutenant 712 Rep 538 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	Mine was scratched up too. I posted pics a couple pages back. Eventually I'll just paint it. __________________ '07 Montego Blue/Saddle Brown E92 335i - 6spd. - SOLD '16 Carbon Black Metallic F10 535i M-Sport - TOTALED 11/21/21 '13 Black Sapphire Metallic F30 335i M-Sport - unknown charge pipe, MSport Exhaust, 20" 405M wheels, $61k MSRP, CF M4 Mirror caps & Spoiler, NGK plugs, Dinan Coils, BMS intake
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11-18-2020, 08:26 PM	#216
Gjohnson7 Lieutenant 255 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 11' BMW 535i, 12' Lexus RX350, Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Broken Arrow, OK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 535i [0.00]	Got my Strut bar installed. Everything lined up perfectly. Now I just need to pull it back off with the other braces and lay down some paint. BMW F10 Mods: Ebay Strut bar install __________________ Checkout my YouTube channel, Like and Subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/user/Gjohnson7771 MHD Flash, RVG Catless DP, RVG CP, RVG Boost Pipe, Walbro 455 LPFP, Style 433 Wheels, BC Coilovers, Ebay Strut bar, M-Sport Front Conversion, RVG FMIC, 6WB Cluster.
	Appreciate 3 ezaircon4jc4452.00 burro_blasta129.50 lsturbointeg9152.50 Quote

12-16-2020, 12:07 PM	#217
SWFLf10 Captain 374 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2016 Alpina B6, 2015 535i Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW Alpina B6 ... [10.00] 2015 BMW 535i [8.83]	Just ordered mine today on eBay. $45 plus $39.78 shipping. Should arrive sometime in January or February. Looking forward to installing it and replacing a few more parts of the suspension when I eventually have time.
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