Description
Quick-Release Splitter Support for BMW E36
This chassis-specific system removes much of the fabrication normally required to mount our quick-release latches to the car. Once the vehicle-side mounts and splitter-side receivers are installed and aligned, the splitter can be removed and reinstalled without tools for normal operation.
Guide both receiver pins into the latches, confirm that both latches are fully engaged, and the splitter is secured. Pull the release levers directly or connect customer-designed cables or pull rods when remote access is preferred.
The Cliff Notes
- Chassis-specific vehicle mounting hardware reduces fabrication and avoids drilling on the tested application.
- Regular and Large receivers provide different packaging, ground-clearance, and load-distribution options.
- Choose receiver mounting hardware for the splitter material and finished blade thickness.
- Optional spreader plates distribute receiver loads over more of the splitter blade.
- At least one additional rigid support is required to prevent the splitter from rotating around the receiver pins.
Vehicle Fitment and Chassis Mounting
The included left and right E36 adapter mounts attach to the chassis without drilling on the tested application. Short aluminum latch mounts provide vertical adjustment for aligning the latches with the splitter-mounted receivers.
No-drill fitment refers to attaching the supplied mounts to the tested chassis. Splitter blades, bumper covers, undertrays, ducting, and other vehicle modifications vary, so trimming or additional installation work may still be required to route the mounts and align the complete splitter system.
How the System Works
- Install the vehicle-specific chassis mounts. Use the supplied hardware and structural mounting locations described for this application.
- Attach and adjust the left and right latches. Position them so the receiver pins enter cleanly and the planned splitter height is maintained.
- Attach the receivers to the splitter blade. Select receiver hardware that suits the blade material and thickness.
- Install a separate rigid support. The receiver pins allow rotation, so the completed splitter needs another support system that controls movement in both directions.
- Test both latches before driving. Confirm full engagement, free release-lever movement, and adequate clearance through the complete suspension and bodywork range.
Choose Your Configuration
1. Receiver Size
| Receiver | Approximate dimensions | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 6-inch base; pin center about 2 inches above the splitter | The best choice for most cars and tighter bumper packaging. |
| Large | 12-inch base; pin center about 4 inches above the splitter | Moves the latch higher for more clearance with the splitter removed and spreads load over a wider footprint, but requires more space. |
2. Spreader Plates
Spreader plates are available only with Regular receivers. One plate is supplied for each receiver. They distribute load over a larger blade area and can help with thinner, more flexible, or lower-strength splitter materials.
- Each plate adds 3mm to the receiver mounting stack, so subtract 3mm from the maximum blade thickness listed below.
- Spreader-plate configurations use 16 receiver mounting positions unless No Receiver Mounting Hardware is selected.
- They are optional; blade material, stiffness, receiver loads, and the rest of the support system should guide the choice.
3. Receiver Mounting Hardware
Choose the receiver-to-splitter hardware based on the splitter material and finished blade thickness. Elevator bolts are intended primarily for wood-based blades, where the wide flat head and square shank can seat slightly into the material and resist turning. The 40mm flat screws with black aluminum washers are better suited to aluminum, carbon fiber, composites, and other materials that should not accept a square shank.
| Hardware | Recommended application | Maximum blade thickness | With 3mm spreader plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30mm Elevator Bolts | Wood-based splitter blades | 14mm | 11mm |
| 35mm Elevator Bolts | Wood-based splitter blades | 19mm | 16mm |
| 40mm Flat Screws + Aluminum Washers | Aluminum, carbon fiber, composites, and other non-wood blades | 16mm | 13mm |
Choose No Receiver Mounting Hardware when supplying specialized fasteners or using hardware already on hand. This removes only the receiver-to-splitter fasteners, washers, and matching nuts; all vehicle-side hardware and latch-to-mount hardware remain included.
What Is Included
- 2 Short aluminum latch mounts
- Left and right BMW E36 chassis adapter mounts
- 8 M8 x 1.25 x 18mm JIS screws for the vehicle-specific mounting assembly
- 2 quick-release latches, one left and one right
- 2 splitter receivers in the selected size, each with a stainless steel pin
- M6 x 1.00 hardware for attaching the latches to the adjustable mounts
- The selected receiver mounting hardware for 4 positions with Regular receivers, 8 with Large receivers, or 16 with Regular receivers and spreader plates. Elevator-bolt and flat-screw choices include matching M8 nyloc nuts; flat-screw choices also include black aluminum washers.
- If selected, 2 spreader plates
Release cables, pull rods, remote handles, and their brackets are not included because access and routing vary by vehicle and build.
Installation and Inspection
- Dry-fit the vehicle-side mounts, latches, splitter, and receivers before drilling the splitter blade.
- Align both receiver pins so they enter the latches without binding and both latches close positively.
- Install at least one separate rigid support and confirm the splitter cannot rotate in either direction around the receiver pins.
- Verify that release levers, cables or pull rods, bodywork, and nearby components cannot interfere or release unintentionally.
- Perform a nut-and-bolt check before and after every event and inspect the complete system after any splitter impact or off-track excursion.
Correct looseness, deformation, cracking, interference, incomplete engagement, or heavily worn parts before returning the car to the track. Individual latches, receivers, spreader plates, hardware, mounts, and support-rod components are available in our Splitter Mount and Support Rod Spare Parts category.
Important Support Requirement
The receiver pins allow the splitter to rotate relative to the latches. At least one additional rigid mounting system is required to control that rotation in both directions. We highly recommend our Splitter Support Rods, but a properly designed custom mount or another manufacturer’s rigid support can also perform this job.
The latch manufacturer rates each latch to resist opening under loads upwards of 700 lb. This is a latch rating, not a load rating for the completed splitter installation. Finished capacity depends on the chassis mounting points, fasteners, splitter material, support geometry, installation quality, aerodynamic load, and track impacts.
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