E30 Zone

Hi all,

I'm trying to remove the RTA bushes before I replace the rear subframe etc (after having dropped it to rear brake lines/pipes, fuel tank/lines/pipes, and underseal, I refuse to be beaten by these crappy bushes!).

My problem is that I can't get the bushes out. The RTAs are still attached to the diff., and to one of the handbrake cables which is proving stubborn to remove, and I don't want to open that world of pain by damaging it...

Anyway, I've tried the method in the wiki (http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... Arm_Bushes) and all that happens is that the nuts become too stiff to turn by hand. I tried using a drill with a socket, but the battery one just gave up/cut out, and the 240v hammer drill just tries to smash my hand into the floor/car, rather than actually turning the nuts. I've only tried one so far, but let's assume they'll all the same.

Any alternatives? I did consider drilling through the metal bar in the middle to see if that softens it up, but I suspect it'll take a while, and if there's no improvement, will have been a waste of time.

Anyone else had this problem/how to overcome it?

Cheers!
Joe

Fire Joe!

-fire. I cooked mine with a blow torch..

Still stuck to the car thoigh - i really don't think the petrol tank etc will like fire, and I'm seriously reluctant to do anything to risk damaging the handbrake cable. If that's what it comes to though...

OK, one is out - finally! Given my 330d is out of service (again) I've extended my annual leave to include Monday too, so I'll cycle over to the E30 and spend what I suspect will be most of the day removing the other three. (Work being too far to want to cycle in rush hour on A-roads, and I refuse to use buses!)

A much stronger bolt (rather than threaded bar) seemed to be the solution. I'm going to buy some poly bushes though to avoid this pain when putting them back in again!

New bushes can be contended with during the week when they arrive.