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Pulled a Dan: Questions about Struts/Gas Tank

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    Pulled a Dan: Questions about Struts/Gas Tank

    Here's a bit of an explanation. I was jacking the car up to check the front end brakes and whatnot, and I had the front up on stands with the wheels off. I was moving to the rear and chose a poor jacking spot (apparent to me now). I started jacking in front of the driver's side rear wheel. Things began to go awry, and the next thing I know, the car is sitting on the passenger side strut. I was able to get my jack under the subframe and to get the car sitting on the wheels again. Fun.

    Firstly, the jack freed itself from my jacking spot in the rear and proceeded to punch the gas tank. There are no leaks, but there is a decent sized dent in that portion of the gas tank. From what I understand in the ETK, that is the smaller of the two halves. I do not feel that the gas tank is liable to cause problems short of lesser capacity; however, I wanted to make sure and to hear what y'all had to say on the matter.

    Secondly, the only evident damage on the front end side was a dented rotor protector. I just bent it back and put the wheel on. The car was resting on the control arm/strut joint for a good bit, and it didn't appear to me that the tie rod or CA were bent in anyway. I do plan on giving her a short jaunt around to see if the suspension seems funky, but I wanted to hear what the stress of that kind of accident can cause on the suspension up front. What sort of specifics should I be checking for short of a general look around?

    I know I'm pretty stupid, no need to tell me, but I appreciate any input you have into the matter. Don't worry about an unsafe E30 on the road; I have no plans on driving it until this gets sorted. TIA.
    The BMW 318 is back. With a vengeance.

    #2
    The tank should be fine. Many people have dented gas tanks from people doing this same thing.

    With the front end. If every thing visually looks ok, go for a ride. If everything feels ok, then you should be ok. Maybe an alighnment to check for bent stuff if needed.
    Originally posted by cabriodster87
    "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
    Originally posted by Kershaw
    i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

    Comment


      #3
      Ouch.

      Sounds like you've got most everything figured out at this point, though.
      Trevor Ely
      '95 M Sport 540i - '00 A4 1.8TQMS - '85 190E 2.3-16
      '88 535is - '87 325e - '89 325is - '91 318is - '90 325is - '96 328is

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        #4
        get a lighter and stick it under the gas tank and move it around. if anything catches on fire then you need to replace the tank. or, if you're good with welding then patch it up. hope this helps
        Originally posted by Hawt drift chick
        Yeah, i'm a good dude i swear, i just like to be balls to the wall.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by JPL View Post
          get a lighter and stick it under the gas tank and move it around. if anything catches on fire then you need to replace the tank. or, if you're good with welding then patch it up. hope this helps
          LOL. If your gas tank blows up, it was leaking.
          Originally posted by cabriodster87
          "Honey? What color is this wire? Is it the same as that one? Are you sure? I don't believe it. OK, it works. Thank you sweetie."
          Originally posted by Kershaw
          i've got a boner and a desire to speed.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by JPL View Post
            or, if you're good with welding then patch it up. hope this helps
            WELD a USED gas tank?!?!?! Please tell me your are not serious...

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by NitroRustlerDriver View Post
              WELD a USED gas tank?!?!?! Please tell me your are not serious...
              What, did you miss the first part of his serious post where he instructs him to search for leaks with a lighter?
              Who doesn't love a little BBQ?
              Griot's Garage at a Deep Discount

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by JPL View Post
                get a lighter and stick it under the gas tank and move it around. if anything catches on fire then you need to replace the tank. or, if you're good with welding then patch it up. hope this helps

                It seems to me that 'ol JPL is taking the advice in his sig too literally.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Thanks guys.

                  I checked it all out and drove it, and it all seemed fine. I suppose I'll be on the lookout for a new tank, but the car drove just as it did before the accident. It didn't stray to a side while driving or under braking.

                  Naturally, I was smoking cigarettes and hookah while using a blow torch to heat test the metal of the gas tank. Passed with flying colors. I think I'm going to weld an x-brace to the tank and rear suspension for those tricky drifts.
                  The BMW 318 is back. With a vengeance.

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