Active Autowerke DSBs are back!

[Sherwin@activeautowerke]

Well well well.... lookie here

Active Autowerke has just stocked up on DSBs



Even the greatest cars have their weaknesses...
...and on the E36 it is the diffirential bolt. Far to many have suffered from bent and broken differential bolts.
The differential support bracket (DSB) is the only thing preventing your car from damaging any more bolts.

For those interested in protecting PM me or contact any of the guys for reduced pricing.

[BMWMPow3r]

nice, any pics of an installed one?
thanks

[Sherwin@activeautowerke]

Originally Posted by BMWMPow3r

nice, any pics of an installed one?
thanks

This is a picture of a DSB installed. Painted red for illustration.

[BoostInduced]

Its about time you get these in! Guys that push their cars need these, I went through 3 Diff bolts and 2 differentials before I figured out how to fix the problem. I've had mine in for about 2 years now, and no Problems.
Thanks AA

[BMWMPow3r]

ok, i see how it works now, thanks.

[GG///M3]

How much would the price be on a group buy of 10/20 of these?

[Brent 930]

Originally Posted by BoostInduced

Its about time you get these in! Guys that push their cars need these, I went through 3 Diff bolts and 2 differentials before I figured out how to fix the problem. I've had mine in for about 2 years now, and no Problems.
Thanks AA

LOL I knew about the diff bolt issue before I even bought my car. Had it on order the same day I got my car. No issues.

[antik]

Welding needed?

[BadBoostedBmwM3]

Originally Posted by antik

welding needed?

nope

[TH3 Shifty]

$265 for a few pieces of metal?????? good lord... i'll make my own.... no offense

[Brent 930]

Back in the day they were $200.

GL trying to make one yourself.

[TH3 Shifty]

Originally Posted by Brent 930

Back in the day they were $200.

GL trying to make one yourself.

a welder and a few good pieces of metal and im good to go

[99MPower]

Originally Posted by TH3 Shifty

a welder and a few good pieces of metal and im good to go

post a DIY if you actually figure it out

[Brent 930]

^For some reason I don't think were going to see a DIY replica AA diff brace anytime soon.

[HafaAdaiM3]

I hope he makes it.

[REHaas]

Mike Radowski brace > AA brace in terms of design, functionality, and cost.

[Brent 930]

^Ummm, cost I agree but that's about it.

It's just a cheap double shear solution. Break out your Mig or Tig welder and start welding on your diff. Oh, if you need to remove your diff it's now harder to do that. Plus the diff can still move while the AA brace locks it down.

The solution works but it isn't better in any way, just a lot cheaper.

[REHaas]

Originally Posted by Brent 930

^Ummm, cost I agree but that's about it.

It's just a cheap double shear solution. Break out your Mig or Tig welder and start welding on your diff. Oh, if you need to remove your diff it's now harder to do that. Plus the diff can still move while the AA brace locks it down.

The solution works but it isn't better in any way, just a lot cheaper.

Sorry Brent, but no.

Running a double-shear on the bolt fixes the problem as force on the bolt is being applied from two points on the diff, effectively cutting the force applied on the bolt in half and spreading it out.

The AA diff brace only keeps the bolt from bending, but the diff is still exerting the same amount of force onto the bolt in just one spot instead of two, and it's moving that force through the bolt into the sub-frame. It doesn't solve the problem, it just moves it.

I've never heard of a properly installed Mike Radowski solution failing, however I have heard of AA Diff Support Brackets failing, and sometimes even mutilating the sub-frame and/or the mounting points to the chassis.

Basic physics favors Mike Radowski's solution.

[das borgen]

Originally Posted by REHaas

Sorry Brent, but no.

Running a double-shear on the bolt fixes the problem as force on the bolt is being applied from two points on the diff, effectively cutting the force applied on the bolt in half and spreading it out.

The AA diff brace only keeps the bolt from bending, but the diff is still exerting the same amount of force onto the bolt in just one spot instead of two, and it's moving that force through the bolt into the sub-frame. It doesn't solve the problem, it just moves it.

I've never heard of a properly installed Mike Radowski solution failing, however I have heard of AA Diff Support Brackets failing, and sometimes even mutilating the sub-frame and/or the mounting points to the chassis.

Basic physics favors Mike Radowski's solution.

link to this Radowski product? (i'm still a noob)

[REHaas]

Can't find the exact link, but send them an email. It's dirt cheap and functional.

http://www.maximumpsi.com/

[Brent 930]

Originally Posted by REHaas

Sorry Brent, but no.

Running a double-shear on the bolt fixes the problem as force on the bolt is being applied from two points on the diff, effectively cutting the force applied on the bolt in half and spreading it out.

The AA diff brace only keeps the bolt from bending, but the diff is still exerting the same amount of force onto the bolt in just one spot instead of two, and it's moving that force through the bolt into the sub-frame. It doesn't solve the problem, it just moves it.

I've never heard of a properly installed Mike Radowski solution failing, however I have heard of AA Diff Support Brackets failing, and sometimes even mutilating the sub-frame and/or the mounting points to the chassis.

Basic physics favors Mike Radowski's solution.

Sorry but your explaination is dead wrong.

You don't know how it really mounts the diff to the subframe. IF, you knew the design you would think differently. I'm guessing you have never installed one to know.

[REHaas]

Originally Posted by Brent 930

Sorry but your explaination is dead wrong.

Then enlighten me sir. Everything I have explained is accurate, and if you're going to claim otherwise, you need to back it up with ample fact. It also doesn't help your case that several forum members have broken bolts (some more than one) with the AA DSB and yet I'm struggling to find one person who has had an issue with a bolt breaking with the Mike Radowski solution installed.

Originally Posted by Brent 930

You don't know how it really mounts the diff to the subframe. IF, you knew the design you would think differently. I'm guessing you have never installed one to know.

Yes I do, and the AA solution doesn't create a double-shear solution like the Mike Radowski solution does, which is why it's inferior. It doesn't solve the problem as well as the Mike R solution. Does it help? Probably, but the Mike R brace is better from a physics standpoint.

I know very well how the rear suspension and drive-line on this car work, I've had multiple diff ratios in my car, and have had the rear suspension out more than once.

[Brent 930]

Wow, you really haven't seen the diff brace or you wouldn't be saying this.

I can back it up that's for sure.

I will let the cat out of the bag. If you could see the back side of the brace and how it mounts it locks the diff case to the subframe. The diff and the subframe now work as one unit. There is no way the diff can move inside of the diff anymore if properly installed.

Since we both live in CO and deal with SCR why don't you ask the guys there what they think. I will be shocked if they agree with what your saying about the AA diff brace.

The AA diff brace does everything Mike's weld on tab does plus more. I haven't heard of anyone breaking their diff bolt using AA's brace yet.

[REHaas]

Originally Posted by Brent 930

Wow, you really haven't seen the diff brace or you wouldn't be saying this.

Yes I have, and I sold it shortly after because I didn't like the design.

I will let the cat out of the bag. If you could see the back side of the brace and how it mounts it locks the diff case to the subframe. The diff and the subframe now work as one unit. There is no way the diff can move inside of the diff anymore if properly installed.

This is like running a titanium lower camber arm in the rear, you hit a curb and the subframe brakes instead of the control arm which is supposed to take the hit. Same concept. The AA DSB ties the diff to the subframe, which means that the subframe goes with the diff if anything bad happens. The Mike Radowski solution spreads the force put on the diff bolt by directly attaching the front of the diff to the diff bolt as well as retaining the stock rear threaded hole (or drilled out and replaced with a nut if necessary).

The AA DSB also doesn't attach the front of the diff bolt directly to the front of the diff. That's a primary issue.

Since we both live in CO and deal with SCR why don't you ask the guys there what they think. I will be shocked if they agree with what your saying about the AA diff brace.

I'm sure they will disagree with me since they are an AA Dealer and not a MaxPSI dealer. Nothing wrong with that all though, that's business.

The AA diff brace does everything Mike's weld on tab does plus more. I haven't heard of anyone breaking their diff bolt using AA's brace yet.

by "plus more" do you mean "tear out subframes?"

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=499460

Look, I understand, you probably paid a ridiculous amount of money for this solution and to be told that there is a better solution for cheaper really hurts. Just stop trying to defend your purchase so you feel good about spending the extra money.

[Brent 930]

Oh please not another if you hit a curb you will cause more damage post.

How does it not attach the front of the diff bolt directly to the front of the diff?

I'm not saying nor did I ever say Mike's solution doesn't work because it does. I rather have a better solution and pay more, plus not having to weld a tab on my diff case making it harder to remove the diff.

If you like we can agree that we disagree and leave it at that. We both made good points on the subject and other people that read this thread can decide for themselves what they want to do.