1984 323i broken stud on front strut

[Doughnut]

Hey guys, i just recently bought a 1984 323i sedan, upon inspection, ive noticed that the front left (at the top where the three bolts hold the spring, shock assembly) one of the stsuds is snaped, and the nut missing, im a 1st year mechanic and have the tools and hoist to do the job, i am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how i can repair the problem (welding etc.) instead of buying a new assembly.

im a newbie, any help would be much appreciated.

cheers

 

[jrt67ss350]

You don't need to buy a new strut assembly, just a new upper strut bearing. They probably need to be replaced anyways.

 

[echothreezero]

As above - the bearing probably worn out in any case, and if you are brave you could even do it with the strut on the car (but its a mission).

Whip off the tie rod end, remove the brake caliper and tie it to the car body, undo the strut from the control arm, undo the two remaining bolts on the strut topnd pull the strut out.

Compress your spring and undo the nut holding the bearing to the shock witha rattle gun, fit the new onw and replace everything in reverse order.

Torque the strut top bolts properly to avoid snapping a stud again.

You may need a wheel aligniment if the new bearing has a slighlty different attitude to the old one due to it being less worn, but you may be lucky and not need one.

 

[Doughnut]

Cheers echothreezero,

If i dont replace the original bearing could i still just pull the whole assembly out, cut and drill out the original stud, put a bolt through with similar thead, weld it in place, and put it back in without the need of a wheel alighnment?

thanks

 

[echothreezero]

Theoretically, yes, but why? just as much work as replaceing the bearing, just save your self a wheel alignment, and I'm not sure how easy it will be to weld in a anew stud as you say due to the shape of the bearing top. You'll see what I mean when you pull it out, but by all means have a go.

 

[Doughnut]

Point taken, i figure ill replace both left and right front bearings, while im at it
sourcing the parts, and from what ive already seen, this isnt going to be a cheap fix :S

thx for your help, much appreciated.

 

[Doughnut]

i put the new bearings in, abit of a sh*t fight with getting the control arms out, (bashing to free the taper from its seat) however the "3 stud plate" that holds the full assembly in place from the top was repaired by me, i bashed the original (snaped) stud out and threaded a new bolt with similar pitch and length, and tack welded it in place to the stud plate, the job was cheap and so far has proved to have worked, a nice little learning experinence indeed...
Providing you have the proper tools and such.

now my beemer is ready to pass road worthy slip, and get registered,