E46 Shock mounts suck!

[erik325i]

Seems like I was missing the bottom part but how would that piece have helped? Plus I don't see how the washer on the bottom would stay in place as there is only the shaft.

That bottom washer is crutial to preventing blown out shocks.

It stays in place because the diameter of the shaft is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion. It drops over the threads and sits above the shaft underneath the shock mount.

-Erik

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

so my rear shock mounts were installed properly. Right Rear blew tonight, hit a pretty bad pothole, it was so big, I dodged the pothole with the front, but the rear still tracked through it.

dammit.

[Bill 84 318i]

The lower (opening down) washer is crucial. It should be a part of your dust boot thing, but I've seen a good amount of cars without them. You need the upper washer to open up, and the lower washer to open downwards. If you don't, it's basically only a matter of time before they blow. I guess it has something to do with distributing the force of the impact.

I've had those mounts for YEARS and the car was fine.

[NC325iC]

damnit and i just bought them

[MikesJo]

Seems like I was missing the bottom part but how would that piece have helped? Plus I don't see how the washer on the bottom would stay in place as there is only the shaft.

[nando]

I've had the E46 mounts for 4 years now, and I've hit some really nasty bumps.. never had a problem with them. you sure you put them in correctly?

[MikesJo]

Oh I don't have part #6 :S. Wth does that thing do? How waffleswaffleswaffles sit stay in place if you don't have a boot? How would you use part #6 if you're using IE or GC RSMs? I just ordered IE ones.

[JRowe]

I use the JTD style. Mounted properly, you never have to worry about a blow out.

[eighteight325is]

They probably will warranty it for you. (ask me how I know)
Did you install the large washer things under and over the shock mounts when you installed them? Without those washers, the shocks will blow out in a couple miles. (ask me how I know)

#6 and #12 in this pic:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...27&hg=33&fg=45

-Erik

This happened to me recently as well. Took off KYB Gas Adjusts that were on the car when I bought it and they apparently use a different mount so I never had the bottom washer or the protective boot. Blew one of the mounts in less than a month.

Those rears are deceptively simple, and they lulled me into a false sense of confidence and didn't consult my Bentley. I couldn't really expect anyone to warranty the mounts though since I installed them wrong.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

They probably will warranty it for you. (ask me how I know)
Did you install the large washer things under and over the shock mounts when you installed them? Without those washers, the shocks will blow out in a couple miles. (ask me how I know)

#6 and #12 in this pic:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...27&hg=33&fg=45

-Erik

I will be double checking my shock mounts tomorrow morning lol

[erik325i]

Yea so today I was driving, hit a sewer like normal and the stupid rubber bushing in the shock mount goes right through the shock mount along with the whole top...

So right now the car is sitting in the drive way with no shock in the rear driver side... Time to find some upgraded shock mounts. I wonder if BMA will cover the broken shock mount under a warranty. It's only been a week riding on it.

They probably will warranty it for you. (ask me how I know)
Did you install the large washer things under and over the shock mounts when you installed them? Without those washers, the shocks will blow out in a couple miles. (ask me how I know)

#6 and #12 in this pic:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...27&hg=33&fg=45

-Erik

[MikesJo]

Yea so today I was driving, hit a sewer like normal and the stupid rubber bushing in the shock mount goes right through the shock mount along with the whole top...

So right now the car is sitting in the drive way with no shock in the rear driver side... Time to find some upgraded shock mounts. I wonder if BMA will cover the broken shock mount under a warranty. It's only been a week riding on it.