How much is a door strap reinforcement plate worth?

[Kibokojoe]

Depending on what these plates are worth and demand, I have a friend with a stamping operation. I could ask him how much to make these reinforcement plates. I have seen them on-line for $21.95 each, I think that is . I made one out of 1/8" steel scrap plate, took me about an hour of messing around. If there is interest I will have them made.

[shogun]

Good idea. Claus on the German E34 Forum is making them from stainless steel, laser cut, for the German E34 forum members.
Here pics http://forum.e34.de/thread.php?threadid=108521

Just for info: His price under condition that he produces a larger number is 15 EURO per set = 1 set per door = 1 piece for the inner and 1 for the outer part
pls shipping.
As per today's exchange rate that would be
15 Euro = 19.60 US Dollar = so $ 20.00 (for stainless steel version, laser cut)

Maybe you also make some for the E32 and post the idea on BB E32board. Same problem there on the E32. For sure you could sell them.

[BigKriss]

i want one

[mikell]

I think the same piece works for e34, e30 and probably others with the same door brake. Fronts only are available from Koala - are rears the same? (Assuming anyone uses their rear doors enough to make it worth the trouble).

Stainless sounds very cool - but, I'd be good with plain steel 'cause I'd paint them body color - that's what I did on my e30 anyway.

They are worth whatever you gotta pay - once the door panel gives up, you're toast and the reinforcement saves you the cost of more radical solutions (whatever they may be). If a less expensive version is available, I'd go that way. I just haven't seen one - and, I am not competent to make my own. It would take me way longer than an hour, I can guarantee that.

[JD525IA]

Depending on what these plates are worth and demand, I have a friend with a stamping operation. I could ask him how much to make these reinforcement plates. I have seen them on-line for $21.95 each, I think that is . I made one out of 1/8" steel scrap plate, took me about an hour of messing around. If there is interest I will have them made.

The PO had destroyed the brake, and the repair job was cheezy. This retrofit works well and only takes a few minutes to install. Go for it! I would charge about $15 per.

JD

[Russell]

I think the repair kit for $21 is stainless steel.

[Kibokojoe]

The plate from Koala is just a single plate. I see Claus's plates are two pieces and cut from stainless is the way to go if you have already blown out your door. How do you get the existing bolts two work with two pieces? I wouldn't think the bolt threads would be long enough. Studying the problem I see the stress being caused along the edge of those little bolts that hold the door strap. If the door is not blown out with the door strap being pulled through the door then I would think a large washer with a 1/4" center hole would distribute the stress more effectively. My doors are still in good shape so the single plate would be a better choice for myself. I quess we could look at it as being proactive. I am going to talk to my buddy today and get a price, but I will probably only make the single plate design, but will favor stainless.

[Russell]

Good idea. Claus on the German E34 Forum is making them from stainless steel, laser cut, for the German E34 forum members.
Here pics http://forum.e34.de/thread.php?threadid=108521

Just for info: His price under condition that he produces a larger number is 15 EURO per set = 1 set per door = 1 piece for the inner and 1 for the outer part
pls shipping.
As per today's exchange rate that would be
15 Euro = 19.60 US Dollar = so $ 20.00 (for stainless steel version, laser cut)

Maybe you also make some for the E32 and post the idea on BB E32board. Same problem there on the E32. For sure you could sell them.

very nice. I have the single piece but not installed. i think i need a new dor brake as well.

[Ross]

Put me down for one(two)

[shogun]

Here from Claus pics on a door for testing, a very bad one
http://forum.e34.de/thread.php?postid=969705#post969705


translate this:
Dieser besteht aus zwei Blechen je 2mm Edelstahl (rostfrei und schweißbar). Das größere Blech kommt außen auf die Türe (am besten mit Flüssigmetall), das kleinere Blech kommt von innen an die Türe. Die beiden Bleche werden dann mittels der originalen Schrauben und der Türbremse verschraubt. Das äußere Blech wird oben und unten zusätzlich mit der Türe vernietet. Natürlich sind die Bleche so geformt, daß sie ohne (oder mit minimaler) Nachbearbeitung sofort passen - auch die Löcher und der Ausschnitt für die Türbremse sind natürlich am richtigen Ort.

scroll down, there is a pic with the 2 plates
http://forum.e34.de/thread.php?threadid=84408

fits on both doors, left and right