RealOEM is very useful most of the time, but this time I cannot find the OEM number of the next part: The round metal plate where the two bolts go through. It holds the whole inside of the front fork in place. It isnt shown on RealOEM. Anyone got a clue what its called? I want to order two new ones since the drainplug (small bolt) is close to leaking.
Don't know why you need a new one, there are three places for that to leak, two of those being the copper sealing washers where the bolts thread through. The other is the o-ring behind the aluminum plug. You won't find the o-ring on the BMW fiche either. I'm sorry I cannot tell you the size of it either, another member recently had the problem getting the o-ring from the dealer and sourced one from Mc Master Carr. If you remove the AL part you will need to replace the o-ring. The only size I found was too large and a press was needed to compress it enough to get the snap ring to fit.
Well, I am needing a new one because the female thread of the plate itself is a little loose. And because im probably going to disassemble the front fork soon, I prefer replacing the. Thats why I need the OEM number so I can order a new one. Contaced my local dealer already, waiting for a reply (they werent sure). Meanwhile I want to crack up your brains in here, hehe
The part is only threaded for the smaller (drain) bolt. Putting the next size larger might not be a problem... if the blot head will fit size wise.
next size up for the allen head drain screw isn't an option, it won't fit as it will hit the circlip. It's that tight.
Ok. No solution there then . Having had the gearbox breather bolt named 'Fred' and its' matting called 'Mary' maybe this bit should be called 'Harriet'. ? http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/harriet/
May need to just weld it and re tap. If they're prone to wear buying a used one may put you right back to square one.
that's what i was thinking too!! They don't wear at all...unless one strips the threads!!!! here's a good spot to look for front fork pictures, none of the end cap piece though.
A Heli-Coil will fix this problem. The other option is to open the thread to 6mm and turn the head of a 6mm bolt on a lathe to fit.
Thanks a lot for all your answers :) . I am going to look into it how I can fix it the best way. I guess I will have to Heli Coil it. Also thanks for the link bmwrench! Love those kind of topics. Will look through it.
It would be easy to turn one up on a lathe but if you need one I have one, however there's enough meat to be able to tap it out to 6mm I don't know if you've taken yours out. There's a very fine o ring that sits behind the cover, they usually spilt when you remove them, the covers are very difficult to refit as well without a press