Remove & Clean Stiffening Plate?

[Bleser]

Hello all,

I've recently acquired a 2017 M3 and I noticed while getting under the car that there were a ton of small rocks/pebbles between the underbody plastic and the metal stiffening plate (see #3 here):



I plan to roll the car up on my ramps today and was going to remove the plate to get everything cleaned out, but are there any bolt torque requirements or anything else I should be aware of before doing this, since it isn't just a protective cover like most cars? Is it not advised to remove it?

I've also noticed a weird noise coming from the left side of the car that sounds like something is loose in one of the door pockets that slides forward when I come to a stop and then back when I accelerate, but nothing is there, so I plan to look under the car for that as well.

Thanks in advance!

[jmciver]

The process to remove/install the stiffening plate is pretty easy. You will need to purchase new bolts in accordance with the BMW maintenance procedures though. The procedure is seen here (including torque specs)...

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ort/1VnXruk3b4

[Fast4d]

good idea to remove and check for leaks before warranty runs out

[Bleser]

Originally Posted by jmciver

The process to remove/install the stiffening plate is pretty easy. You will need to purchase new bolts in accordance with the BMW maintenance procedures though. The procedure is seen here (including torque specs)...

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ort/1VnXruk3b4

Perfect, thank you. Are you saying I have to buy new M10 bolts because the tightening spec table states to "renew screws"?

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Bleser

Perfect, thank you. Are you saying I have to buy new M10 bolts because the tightening spec table states to "renew screws"?

If you want to follow the BMW procedures, yes. They are torque to yield bolts which are designed to only reach their required torque once.

[Bleser]

Originally Posted by jmciver

If you want to follow the BMW procedures, yes. They are torque to yield bolts which are designed to only reach their required torque once.

Got it - will order new bolts - thanks!

[Txipi84]

Originally Posted by Bleser

I've also noticed a weird noise coming from the left side of the car that sounds like something is loose in one of the door pockets that slides forward when I come to a stop and then back when I accelerate, but nothing is there, so I plan to look under the car for that as well.

Thanks in advance!

This happens to me too. Do you notice the noise when you turn right or left when the car go fast?

Please, keep me posted

[Bleser]

Txipi84 and others -

I wanted to post here that I mentioned this noise to my dealer today while getting maintenance done (oil change, spark plugs, air filters) and they solved the mystery! There is a slatted cover to a vent system beneath the driver's seat. Coins can get down in there, and in my case the previous owner left me a dime and a penny in this area that were sliding around and you could hear them when decelerating / accelerating. Mystery solved, for me anyway.

[Txipi84]

Originally Posted by Bleser

Txipi84 and others -

I wanted to post here that I mentioned this noise to my dealer today while getting maintenance done (oil change, spark plugs, air filters) and they solved the mystery! There is a slatted cover to a vent system beneath the driver's seat. Coins can get down in there, and in my case the previous owner left me a dime and a penny in this area that were sliding around and you could hear them when decelerating / accelerating. Mystery solved, for me anyway.

Thank you so much!!! I will see there

[Txipi84]

Yesterday I went to the dealer and they checked the vent system under the driver's seat... they saw nothing.

[Bleser]