E30 Zone

Hi, i am a total novice to anything mechanical, but i do know that my rear sub frame bushings are on there way out, and would like to put in some poly eurathane ones.

can anyone point me in the right direction / give any advice?

is this somthing i can undertake myself or will i just have to bite the bullet and hand over some cash?

It's easy if you have the right tool for pulling the bushes out. But a pig if you haven't.

Also depending on your budget you can buy proper 'bushes' from BMW instead of the cheapo poly ones which dont even last a few months on a track car.

All i can say, is pay somebody to do it for you. Its a real PITA if you don't have the correct tools.

not realy using it for track use, would powerflex bushings be ok?

and how easy is it to come by the right tool?

mikey

I would recommend buying genuine BMW bushes for both the main beam and the trailing arms. PU bushes will be very harsh for road use.

I just installed new bushes in mine, I used a hydraulic press for the main beam bushes and for the trailing arms I made a puller with some threaded rod and some bits of assorted pipe. Worked a treat. I'm sure you can probably buy the correct tool from BMW but I imagine it won't be cheap.

Polyurethane isn't that harsh for road use and they are alot easier to fit.

Your problem will be if the subframe bushes have been knackered for a long time and the aluminium inner sleeve has sheered off in the shell, this then makes the job a nightmare.

don't think they are totally nakered yet just on the way out, and would rather replace them before the sleeve goes.

does anyone know of any step-by-step guides or anything like that if i wanted to have a go myself?

Fitting new bushes isn't much of a problem - it's getting the old ones off that may be the trouble.
Use genuine BMW bushes, not aftermarket stuff, whether it's made of poly or rubber.
The rear beam is supposed to move slightly under load, as part of the suspension design.

cheers for your help lads, much appreciated (this is my first car, and really do need the help)

i reckon i'll just bite the bullet and get some genuine BMW bushes fitted. any idea what sort of price i'll be looking at?

and anything else i should be keeping an eye?

its an '85 320i

Mikey

I used an independent specialist and iirc I was charged £115 to do both sides.
Forrest Motors top bloke in Lincoln btw.
Just happened to be that way at the time....

Brianmoooore wrote:Fitting new bushes isn't much of a problem - it's getting the old ones off that may be the trouble.
Use genuine BMW bushes, not aftermarket stuff, whether it's made of poly or rubber.
The rear beam is supposed to move slightly under load, as part of the suspension design.

Ive just bought some BMW motorsport bushes from BMW at £83 + vat each and there is no movement in those, even less than what you would get from polly bushes

Are they solid rubber Andrew? Got a part number and any pics?

I did mine without the tool and wouldn't recomend it if you are "a total novice to anything mechanical". It's not a difficult task, but there are plenty of potential pitfalls and it's quite time consuming!

DanThe wrote:Are they solid rubber Andrew? Got a part number and any pics?

They look identical to the stock ones, they even have with the cut outs at the side. They use what looks like another type of material because they are very very stiff!

The part number is: 33 31 1 417 247

does anyone know the part number or have a picture of the bmw tool went to my dealer not helpful , need to do mine on a 318 , thanks

Tool is a bit of threaded rod, a nut or two, and a few large washers or pipe fittings. Easily made up for a few pounds.
There are pics on here somewhere!