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How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed ?
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:25 am
by e30newbie
Hi guys,
How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed ? One way to tell is uneven ride height correct ?
Cheers
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:27 am
by ImysE30
Yes that is one way, also the rear end will be a bit more tail happy and if they are really shot, then you can hear a knocking noise when going over bumps in the road
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:43 am
by gareth
they also often feel like you've got flat rear tyres when travelling at speed. wantering a lot from the rear.
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:18 pm
by psychochild187
or under heavy traffic light drags the rear will goe "bang,bang,bang,bang" where its got no rubber to cusion its vibration
or under heavy braking the back will sort of feel like the back is lifting and steping out to one side
if just one is gone then eneven ride height might be noticed. i guess but ive not had this yet
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:25 pm
by Brianmoooore
Jacking the body at the rear, then jacking on the beam will show them up (or finish them off, if they're nearly dead).
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:14 pm
by gareth
Brianmoooore wrote:Jacking the body at the rear, then jacking on the beam will show them up (or finish them off, if they're nearly dead).
jacking off the beam, though all too common, is often the cause of them being dead too.
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:28 pm
by Brianmoooore
gareth wrote:jacking off the beam, though all too common, is often the cause of them being dead too.
Shouldn't be a problem to good ones.
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:40 pm
by gareth
Brianmoooore wrote:gareth wrote:jacking off the beam, though all too common, is often the cause of them being dead too.
Shouldn't be a problem to good ones.
they're not designed for it though and when they're getting slightly ropey, it finishes them off a treat.
heard that rip, clunk noise before on breakers as they fail in spectacular fashion. quite amusing to be honest!
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:41 pm
by ImysE30
Whilst we are on the subject of subframe bushes, what's an average price to get them renewed?
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:45 pm
by gareth
i've had some done (on a E34 but must be a very similar job) by a local BMW specialist for under £100 inc supply of bushes.
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:52 pm
by GrindCulture
I had mine done last year, I supplied the parts and my local garage fitted them. All in all it cost me about £95.
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:56 pm
by ImysE30
Reckon mine need renewing too, doubt they pass MOT. Cheers for info
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:06 am
by Brianmoooore
Even some MOT testers don't know how to check them!
I had an advisory on a twelve month old pair a few years back. The same bushes went through at least two subsequent MOT tests without comment!
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:09 am
by tomson
gareth wrote:i've had some done (on a E34 but must be a very similar job) by a local BMW specialist for under £100 inc supply of bushes.
Hell, that is good, genuine bushes are over £50 !
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:18 am
by ImysE30
Brianmoooore wrote:Even some MOT testers don't know how to check them!
I had an advisory on a twelve month old pair a few years back. The same bushes went through at least two subsequent MOT tests without comment!
I got an advisory on them last year, reckon he'll fail them this year
Re: How can you tell if the rear subframe bushes are stuffed
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:28 pm
by gareth
tomson wrote:gareth wrote:i've had some done (on a E34 but must be a very similar job) by a local BMW specialist for under £100 inc supply of bushes.
Hell, that is good, genuine bushes are over £50 !
they were febi/bilstein bushes from GSF but still a very good price. Ray at Leaders engineering in hastings is the man! Very quick so little labour costs involved