Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

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Lancsbob
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Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Lancsbob »

As the title says, is it possible?
Anyone made some sort of puller to remove/insert them?

Just asking. :?:

Cheers Bob
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Brian H »

Rear beam bushes or trailing arm bushes?

I have the tool to do the rear beam bushes, it's for hire if you need it. Changing in-situ can be done, took me about 4hrs, bloomin tricky though.
Lancsbob
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Lancsbob »

Thats interesting to know, just enquiring at the moment for future reference.
Its the beam bushes i'm asking about.
I wonder if anyone's done a "How To" article.
Are the trailing arm bushes difficult also?

Bob
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Brian H
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Brian H »

TBH Bob, knowing now what I know I would drop the whole rear beam and trailing arm assembly, you need to remove the exhaust, handbrake cables from within the car, prop shaft and brake hoses. With these disconnected you can drop the whole lot, the rear trailing arm bushes are easy enough to replace but getting them back in situ on the cat with the ream beam in place is a pig.
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Deano1712
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Deano1712 »

I dont see how it could be done in situ. I dropped the subframe a foot so the bushes were clear of the studs. Made my own tool. There may be a post about it years ago.
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Brian H
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Brian H »

Deano1712 wrote:I dont see how it could be done in situ. I dropped the subframe a foot so the bushes were clear of the studs. Made my own tool. There may be a post about it years ago.
To clarify when I say in-situ I meant I removed the bolt out of the diff, lowered the rear beam off the studs, removed the studs to enable the removal tool to gain access to the top and bottom of the beam bushes, and replaced the bushes. I left the brake hoses, handbrake cables, exhaust etc on the car (albeit i did pop the rear mounting rubbers for the exhaust off so it did hang lower). Fiddly job to say the least!
Del
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Del »

A couple of BMW independents in my area have special support jigs so that they can do the job "in situ" - I was charged £130 labour to replace with Powerflex bushes I bought myself. With their jig and industrial grade pullers, they said the job was relatively easy for them.
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Deano1712
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Deano1712 »

Ok Brian I was wondering how you managed to pull the bush while it was still on the stud lol.

Did you tighten the rear wheel bolts up properly after the job was done? ;-)
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siwilson
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by siwilson »

You can do both the rear beam and trailing arms in situ by lowering one side at a time. I did it this way, but next time I would drop the whole axle. It might take longer to get to the bit you want to change, but then it will go much faster.

The key thing is having the correct tools to pul and insert the bushes. Real butt ache without .

Si.
2001 M roadster S54 Laguna Seca Blue
Lancsbob
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Lancsbob »

Have found this article & wonder if anyone has done it.
Wouldn't know where to get the bits in the UK though.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showt ... uber-cheap

Bob
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Brian H
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Brian H »

Deano1712 wrote:…..Did you tighten the rear wheel bolts up properly after the job was done? ;-)
Bitch ;)
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Brian H
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Re: Anyone Replaced Rear Subframe Bushes In Situ?

Post by Brian H »

siwilson wrote:You can do both the rear beam and trailing arms in situ by lowering one side at a time. I did it this way, but next time I would drop the whole axle. It might take longer to get to the bit you want to change, but then it will go much faster.

The key thing is having the correct tools to pul and insert the bushes. Real butt ache without .

Si.
100% agree, possible on the car but bite the bullet and drop the whole lot out.
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