STRUCTURAL MEMBER or Gravel Guard?

jdstrickland · #1 09-21-2020, 03:25 PM

I have a mechanic that is trying to tell me that the large steel plate with the words DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS THIS PLATE IS IN PLACE (or similar) stamped on it is just a gravel guard. I had the Oil Filter Housing Gasket replaced and I am noticing a lot more (A LOT) creaking coming from the front of the car, especially after using the brakes -- I brake to a stop, then when I proceed I can hear the front end shifting around. I think he may not have sufficiently tightened the bolts, which is entirely possible IF his view is that the plate only needs to not fall off. I completely get the gravel guard thing, but if a gravel guard then why stamp big letters warning people to not drive without it, we drove cars for 100 years without a gravel guard, they are not imperative. They are nice to have, but they are not imperative.

What do you think, structural or just aerodynamic and/or gravel protection? My vote is, structural.

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crystalworks · #2 09-21-2020, 04:15 PM

They are structural for sure. This has been covered exhaustively when discussing the bolts/nuts that secure the plate to the chassis. It is a structural stiffening component.

Sounds like the shop did not tighten them? My question, why did they drop the plate to do the OFHG? The M54 is all serviceable from above? Did they want to clean it?

Nolimite39 · #3 09-21-2020, 04:17 PM

^ +1

100% structural.

jdstrickland · #4 09-21-2020, 04:19 PM

They took it down to see where the oil is leaking from, and they decided it was the OFHG. The car is still leaking, so they missed.

My guess on the plate is the same as yours, they did not tighten the plate to the specs.

Ragnarok · #5 09-21-2020, 04:36 PM

Not to mention, the rearmost bolts also hold down the sway bar. So if those are left loose or missing...

Overboost · #6 09-21-2020, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

They took it down to see where the oil is leaking from, and they decided it was the OFHG. The car is still leaking, so they missed.

My guess on the plate is the same as yours, they did not tighten the plate to the specs.

Probably leaking from OPG. The M54 gets about 100,000 miles before needing replacement.

Happy · #7 09-21-2020, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

Probably leaking from OPG. The M54 gets about 100,000 miles before needing replacement.

Do the newer or updated gaskets last longer?

Overboost · #8 09-21-2020, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy

Do the newer or updated gaskets last longer?

I'm not really sure. The Genuine BMW gasket I put in was identical to the one that was installed at the factory in 2004 so I would guess they are the same with metal and rubber. I took mine to 180,000 but it had been leaking for a while. I don't think mounting the front differential to the oil pan and sending the right axle through it was a solid engineering design but that's just me. Dry as a bone underneath now.

Happy · #9 09-21-2020, 04:50 PM

My OPG was a byproduct of my rod bearing replacement.

c-bass · #10 09-21-2020, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overboost

I don't think mounting the front differential to the oil pan and sending the right axle through it was a solid engineering design but that's just me.

No, it's not just you

I remember casually asking a buddy of mine (who is a real mechanic and clearly knows his way around BMWs much better than me) if I could use his lift "for an hour or so" to change the OPG

He looked at me a little strange and proceeded to explain to me the design...twice

I still can't believe that was the best they could come up with...but I mean the starter is under the intake manifold sooooo yeeeeah

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