Help...Jacked on the Rear Subframe Vibration Absorber

joshaguirre · 02-20-2021, 06:41 PM

Hey everyone, so I wanted to jack the rear of my X3 today for the first time because I ordered two more jack stands (4 total now)....wanted to test out putting the car on all 4 jack stands.

Anyway, I found what appeared to be the rear center jacking point, a big black block attached to the center rear subframe. I used my floor jack and noticed when I dropped the car back down, my jack had some type of lubricant/oil on it.

Turns out after googling all the identifiers on the block it is apparently a "Subframe Vibration Damper." I did do my research on the rear center jacking point before I attempted this. From what I could tell on other forum posts, not all F25s have this. Perhaps only LCI models or non M X3s.

Is this something I should be concerned about? I drove the car right after and it felt fine, also did not hear anything unusual. There does not seem to be much info on this vibration absorber...please if someone could chime in I would appreciate it. Some online have said it doesn't really do anything and have taken it off to jack on the rear subframe.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hz-33306857620

hardparker · 02-20-2021, 07:15 PM

Jack from the rear diff pumpkin, the cast iron main piece. Make sure the jack isn't on the diff cover at all. Definitely not on the damper, as you found out. As far as the damper, either don't sweat it, remove it, or replace it. Makes no difference.

Opie55 · 02-20-2021, 07:15 PM

I admit I am not familiar with that particular part, but it is not unusual to have suspension bushings that are full of oil. When they crack and the oil comes out, they need to be replaced. I'm guessing you ruptured it by using it as a jacking point so you probably need to have it replaced.

joshaguirre · 02-20-2021, 07:26 PM

hardparker Opie55 I appreciate both of your responses. Yeah I have no problem replacing...I live, I learn. After further searching, I am apparently not the first one to make this mistake. Go ahead and add me to the list of shame lol. I have only used the front center jack point...did not try the rear until today.

When you jack on the rear diff (not the cover), I have seen people use a 2x4 in between the two, do you recommend this or is it not necessary?

Wgosma · 02-20-2021, 07:49 PM

Use a 2x4 or similar, see info re: jacking pulled from BMW TIS.

....look before you leap next time, avoids potentially costly mistakes

Good luck/Bill

BimmerPete · 10-21-2023, 05:24 PM

I just did the same thing! LOL.
Did you replace it? If so, is it just a matter of unscrewing the bolt in the middle and putting in the new one?

Polo08816 · 11-05-2023, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshaguirre

hardparker Opie55 I appreciate both of your responses. Yeah I have no problem replacing...I live, I learn. After further searching, I am apparently not the first one to make this mistake. Go ahead and add me to the list of shame lol. I have only used the front center jack point...did not try the rear until today.

When you jack on the rear diff (not the cover), I have seen people use a 2x4 in between the two, do you recommend this or is it not necessary?

I use a hockey puck with a floor jack.

richardodn · 11-06-2023, 05:15 AM

I use a square of 3/4" plywood. I feel it's less likely to fail spectacularly. A hockey puck is definitely better than steel but possibly still a bit hard.

02-20-2021, 06:41 PM	#1
joshaguirre Private 13 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xDrive28i F25 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Help...Jacked on the Rear Subframe Vibration Absorber Hey everyone, so I wanted to jack the rear of my X3 today for the first time because I ordered two more jack stands (4 total now)....wanted to test out putting the car on all 4 jack stands. Anyway, I found what appeared to be the rear center jacking point, a big black block attached to the center rear subframe. I used my floor jack and noticed when I dropped the car back down, my jack had some type of lubricant/oil on it. Turns out after googling all the identifiers on the block it is apparently a "Subframe Vibration Damper." I did do my research on the rear center jacking point before I attempted this. From what I could tell on other forum posts, not all F25s have this. Perhaps only LCI models or non M X3s. Is this something I should be concerned about? I drove the car right after and it felt fine, also did not hear anything unusual. There does not seem to be much info on this vibration absorber...please if someone could chime in I would appreciate it. Some online have said it doesn't really do anything and have taken it off to jack on the rear subframe. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...hz-33306857620
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-20-2021, 07:15 PM	#2
hardparker Father of Frankenfold 299 Rep 531 Posts Drives: Yo daddy's 2014 X3 M Sport Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Albuquerque iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 BMW X1 [0.00] 2014 BMW X3 [0.00]	Jack from the rear diff pumpkin, the cast iron main piece. Make sure the jack isn't on the diff cover at all. Definitely not on the damper, as you found out. As far as the damper, either don't sweat it, remove it, or replace it. Makes no difference. __________________ F25 X3 35i M Sport \| Frankenfold 6662 \| VRSF Race IC \| FTP CP \| BM3 tuned \| XDI-35 HPFP \| Stage 2 LPFP \| Ethanol mixed \| WMI \| Oil cooler \| xHP \| X5/550i brakes
	Appreciate 1 joshaguirre13.00 Quote

02-20-2021, 07:15 PM	#3
Opie55 Colonel 1205 Rep 2,916 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I admit I am not familiar with that particular part, but it is not unusual to have suspension bushings that are full of oil. When they crack and the oil comes out, they need to be replaced. I'm guessing you ruptured it by using it as a jacking point so you probably need to have it replaced.
	Appreciate 1 joshaguirre13.00 Quote

02-20-2021, 07:26 PM	#4
joshaguirre Private 13 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xDrive28i F25 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	hardparker Opie55 I appreciate both of your responses. Yeah I have no problem replacing...I live, I learn. After further searching, I am apparently not the first one to make this mistake. Go ahead and add me to the list of shame lol. I have only used the front center jack point...did not try the rear until today. When you jack on the rear diff (not the cover), I have seen people use a 2x4 in between the two, do you recommend this or is it not necessary?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-20-2021, 07:49 PM	#5
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 809 Rep 1,911 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	Use a 2x4 or similar, see info re: jacking pulled from BMW TIS. ....look before you leap next time, avoids potentially costly mistakes Good luck/Bill Attached Images
	Appreciate 1 joshaguirre13.00 Quote

10-21-2023, 05:24 PM	#6
BimmerPete Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2015 X3, 2022 X3 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I just did the same thing! LOL. Did you replace it? If so, is it just a matter of unscrewing the bolt in the middle and putting in the new one?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-06-2023, 05:15 AM	#8
richardodn First Lieutenant 160 Rep 350 Posts Drives: '12 X3 35iX/'20 440ix cabrio Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I use a square of 3/4" plywood. I feel it's less likely to fail spectacularly. A hockey puck is definitely better than steel but possibly still a bit hard. __________________ 1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler. 2008 Platinum-Beige X3 3.0si - Current project 2012 Alpine White X3 xDrive35i - My new snowmobile. 2020 Estoril Blue 440i xDrive cabrio w/MPPSK - This car is a blast to drive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote