[m9bm]

I was diying my fuel filter today and saw this:



This was on the drivers side (LHD) front wheel.

Can someone tell me what the tear/ripped looking metal part is?
Is this a safety issue?

Thanks in advance.

[Jsoboti]

Looks like a bracket that's somehow involved with the headlight sensor. Doesn't look robust enough to be load bearing

[vwetish]

Originally Posted by Jsoboti

Looks like a bracket that's somehow involved with the headlight sensor. Doesn't look robust enough to be load bearing

Correct, its just the bracket for the headlight level sensor. If the car was towed at some point the hooks they use could have damaged it.

[Timujin]

How are your headlights doing at night? Too low or too high? Bouncing more than usual? Suspension looks ok. That mount on the right is for something behind the fabric cover.

[m9bm]

My headlights are pretty bouncy at night.. Is this worth fixing out of warranty?

[jwong77]

Originally Posted by m9bm

My headlights are pretty bouncy at night.. Is this worth fixing out of warranty?

According to real oem the part is $2.62, if thats close to being true, then I'd say its worth it, but its up to you.

[Timujin]

I'd say fix it before your headlight leveling motors get overworked. I am just being anal.

I disabled the auto door lock function because I don't want premature failure. I unlock the driver door with the fob and push it down manually once inside. No need to have all of the doors trying to lock when they are already locked. I'm crazy like that.

[m9bm]

Originally Posted by Timujin

I'd say fix it before your headlight leveling motors get overworked. I am just being anal.

I disabled the auto door lock function because I don't want premature failure. I unlock the driver door with the fob and push it down manually once inside. No need to have all of the doors trying to lock when they are already locked. I'm crazy like that.

I'd fix it too if there were a diy, however I'm worried if i take it apart I won't know how to put it back lol.

[raceyBMW]

Originally Posted by jwong77

According to real oem the part is $2.62, if thats close to being true, then I'd say its worth it, but its up to you.

That's exactly the part that's broken, its just partially hidden behind the cover panel. Its easy to hook back up, I would just say go for it. I think you will need some torx (or maybe hex?) bits IIRC to take off the plate from the sensor.

[Timujin]

Originally Posted by m9bm

I'd fix it too if there were a diy, however I'm worried if i take it apart I won't know how to put it back lol.

You can do at!

[m9bm]

I asked my mechanic.
He thinks he can do it in 20 min or less. I will attempt on my own and create a diy.

P/N: 37146763734

[All4bigAl]

I just went through this. On mine the plastic crank arm for the actuator was broken and headlights were dipped down, so I had to replace it. You got lucky with yours. It's easy, you'll be fine. I don't think you can install anything backwards, but just pay attention during removal.

Good luck!

[m9bm]

Originally Posted by All4bigAl

I just went through this. On mine the plastic crank arm for the actuator was broken and headlights were dipped down, so I had to replace it. You got lucky with yours. It's easy, you'll be fine. I don't think you can install anything backwards, but just pay attention during removal.

Good luck!

I've examined the bracket and nothing seems loose. For this reason I suspect replacing the bracket will not help me shaking headlight over bumps issue.

I'm going to replace it anyways since I already bought the part.

[vwetish]

I should have kept checking this tread.
That damaged bracket would not cause bouncy headlights.
The movement of the pivot arm on the leveler that is attached to the control arm will negligibly more frequent due to that crack.
Simply, there isn't enough flexing in that bracket to be causing it.
I would more suspect to improperly installed bulbs and worn out suspension part, like control arm, strut, and strut mount. Also, worn out leveler itself and too high tire pressure.
My headlights were bouncy, but not any more, after I replaced all the suspension at 60k

[raceyBMW]

There is a TSB out there for the "bouncy or shaky" headlights, with a retrofit bracket to help remedy the situation. Not sure if it applied only for E92, but could be worth a search for it (I had it installed on my E92 and it made it go away.

Agreed with above, even though the sensor arm is not attached to your control arm, it may not be the actual cause of the bouncy headlights...but its still broken regardless so I would definitely start there.

[m9bm]

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

There is a TSB out there for the "bouncy or shaky" headlights, with a retrofit bracket to help remedy the situation. Not sure if it applied only for E92, but could be worth a search for it (I had it installed on my E92 and it made it go away.

Agreed with above, even though the sensor arm is not attached to your control arm, it may not be the actual cause of the bouncy headlights...but its still broken regardless so I would definitely start there.

I had already read about that, unfortunately I'm no longer under the 50k warranty so I don't want to bring it in and pay..

There wasn't any info on DIYing the bracket retrofit I believe.