|
|
|
|
||||||||||
| Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring.... |
| Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management |
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
03-23-2016, 06:53 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
WARNING....SPLASH SHIELD CAUSES RUST TO SUB-FRAME!
A couple of weeks ago, I accidentally dropped a hose clip down into the engine bay. Looking from the top of the engine bay, I couldn't find it anywhere! So, I decided to look underneath and figured it may be sitting on the topside of the engine splash-shield/guard. So, after removing the 14 bolts/screws from the shield, and dropping it down, I finally found the clip. But what else I found was shocking! The whole of the front of the sub-frame and the splash tray mounting-bar had been heavily rusted. In fact, the front mounting bracket for the LHS torsion strut (lower control arm) had completely rusted away! (see photos 1 and 2 attached). How did this happen? Well.........it turns out that the plastic splash-shield has moulded wells in it, which are mounted flush around the front of the sub-frame (large bar and control arm mounting bracket); and the splash-shield mounting bar. Also, the bumper acts as a funnel for rain water, to flow onto the topside of the splash-shield. BOTH OF THESE PLASTIC WELLS HOLD POOLS OF WATER, AND HAVE NO DRAIN HOLES! ANOTHER BMW DESIGN FAULT? If you live near a beachside suburb like I do, or drive on salt-laden roads in the winter, these wells could be full of salty water! Anyway, to fix it, I had to buy a rust-free sub-frame from a wrecking yard and have the rusted section cut out and replaced by an expert welder. The whole procedure took about 2 weeks to organise and about $700 to repair. I spent about 4 hours removing and replacing the splash-shield, splash-shield support bar, brake/transmission cooling duct and bumper. All caused by having no drain-holes in the splash shield....NOT HAPPY! Needless to say............ my splash shield now has 4 new drain-holes to clear the pooling water away from the frame components (see picture 3.) This is a warning for other e53 owners. If your X5 is around 10 years old, you should remove your splash-shield, check for rust on the metal frame and create some drainage points. Let me know if you have experienced a similar problem. Last edited by craigsx5; 03-23-2016 at 07:12 AM. 
|
| Sponsored Links | |
|
|
|
|
#2
03-23-2016, 10:20 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
holy shit. i can't believe the rust. you must feel a difference in steering/suspension with the replaced sub-frame I assume?
I live in an extremely dry climate (sadly) so this is not an issue for me, but I may as well check it... no harm, just time.
__________________
I swear, my cars are like a girlfriend. Sometimes its a rough ride, sometimes its smooth motorin'. Sometimes she doesnt like how i treat her and sometimes i dont like how she behaves. BUT at the end of the day, she loves it when I am inside her. _______________________ '91 850i '05 X5 4.4i '09 Clubman S
|
|
#3
03-23-2016, 11:17 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Didn't notice anything of this nature on mine... came from Utah and then California but not sure how much salt it saw. Here in TX it won't be an issue... but I will be putting in drain holes anyway.
Thanks for the PSA.
__________________
2005 X5 4.4i Build 04/05 Maintenance/Build Log Nav, Pano, Sport (Purchased 06/14 w/ 109,000 miles) (Sold 8/15 w/121,000 miles) 2006 X5 4.8is Build 11/05 Maintenance/Build Log Nav, DSP, Pano, Running Boards, OEM Tow Hitch, Cold Weather Pckg (Purchased 08/15 w/ 90,500 miles) 2010 X5 35d Build 02/10 Nav, HiFi, 6 DVD, Sports Pckg, Cold Weather Pckg, HUD, CAS, Running Boards, Leather Dash, PDC, Pano (Purchased 03/17 w/ 136,120 miles)
|
|
#4
03-23-2016, 11:22 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Holy shit. I have not seen that on mine at all. Nothing even close. And I live in NE. I do keep mine in the garage and wash after every salt drive. But wow.
__________________
2006 4.8is, Black on White. SOLD Sniff Sniff. 2017 F85 x5m, Black on Red. BEAST MODE "The older we grow the greater becomes our wonder at how much ignorance one can contain without bursting one's clothes." - Mark Twain Unlock OBC post 5
|
|
#5
03-23-2016, 11:31 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
From what I've seen on my E53 (10 yrs in "rains almost every summer afternoon" FL), there's something more then just water at work here.
Those areas on my X still have the factory black coating. That shield drains water, the front is higher then the rear when installed. It looks like someone parked the X in salt water for a few months!
__________________
'03 X5 4.4 Sport, last of the M62s (8-03 build date) I believe in deadication to craftmanship in a world of mediocrity!
|
|
#6
03-23-2016, 02:00 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Mine is like brand new due to the leaking power steering return hose
__________________
2006 X5 48is Black / Black - LED AEs - FCAB - GAS 1.2bar cap
|
|
#7
03-23-2016, 03:11 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
 2002 X5 3.0 298,000 miles 2014 428i 16,900 miles (I get to drive the CEO's ride this week!) 2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles 2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles
|
|
#8
03-23-2016, 03:19 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
 X5 4.6 2002 Black Sap, Black interior. 2013 X5M Melbourne Red, Bamboo interiorDallas
|
|
#9
03-23-2016, 04:50 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
__________________
 2005 X5 4.8IS The Blue ones are always FASTER.... Current Garage: 2005 X5 4.8is 2002 M5 TiSilver 2003 525iT 1998 528i Former Garage Stable Highlights 2004 325XiT Sport 1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green 1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package 1969 Road Runner 383 1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green
|
|
#10
03-23-2016, 05:03 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Mine looks mostly factory new.
But I am extremely curious, why cut and weld on the sub frame? Just replace the whole item!
__________________
2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout) 2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior Sold but not forgotten: 2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021) 2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly... Other hardware: 2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm) 2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler 2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.
|
|
| Bookmarks |
| Tags |
| rust, splash guard, splash shield, sub frame |
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
