Subframe bushes - how to get them out UPDATE-THEY'RE IN

[Treeman612]

Rear subframe bushes need to be changed - I can get the bit nut off the end of the bolt, and the bolt out into the back of the car. How the heck do you get the old bushes out? there is nothing to get hold of, and no way of driving them out from inside the car. Do the dealers have a special tool to do it? - or have I got to drop out the whole sunframe? - I'm changing the rear arms over to disc brake ones anyway, but was hoping not to have to remove the diff etc.

[jonbuoy]

As far as i know mate be prepared for a pig of a job, evrything needs to come down to get to them and then you've got to get them out, not easy!

[Adammcf]

I rebuilt my engine but Im not going to even try this one. With the trouble Ive had getting old bushes out on previous cars Im staying well clear of these ones! This will be one job I'll happily pay someone else to do.

Anyone know anywhere reputable in the midlands to do it?

[Jimbob]

Need a special tool for this, would be cheaper to get done at a garage than to actually buy the tool as well (apparently), I paid Ԛ£90 to get mine done (cash in hand!).

[eko]

i did mine a few months ago and found it alot easier to take off the beam!i burnt them out pretty easily and got the new ones pressed in at a garage up the road,no charge!
There is a proper tool available but exspensive!

[jonbuoy]

I'm not too keen on doing this myself either but it has to be done. One of my mates has a 2 poster lift at his own disposal so i'll be scratching his back for a favour and a drink. Sorry don't live in the midlands so can't help with that one.

[keith52]

just had mine changed by a local independant garage Ԛ£70 + bushes from dealer , well worth it but not a job i'd fancy doing in situ

[Treeman612]

Just had a chat with my local BMW independent garage - yes, they do have a special tool - it's called a gas-axe (Oxy-acetyline torch to be precise) Apparently, they just burn out the old bushes! Anyway, I'm removing the axle carrier anyway so I'm going to have a bonfire!! (not inside the garage I hope! )

[Simon13]

u need the car as high as poss in the air and a nice long thin yahoo bar! To wiggle the bastard out as the chances are they are totally seized in. The bmw tool needs the bush dropped slighty so it can work. This is where the bar is used to drop it slightly. Thats how they do it at the dealers

HTH Ԛ£150 gets these done including bushes

[smithy318i]

Use one of these.

http://homepage.mac.com/jasonblitzdesig ... bum51.html



This tool is a MUST HAVE.



Please excuse the poor photos, they were taken with my phone.

[craigieeb]

http://www.jezbraker.com/JJbRacing/Tech/bushes.htm

becoming popular this link that's the 2nd time iv used it in two days

[Treeman612]

Well, the new bushes are in the axle carrier. Wahoo!! A few pointers to anyone comtemplating this job:
Unless you've got loads of special tools, oxy gear, etc, then I recommend dropping the axle carrier out of the car. Yes, it's a big job, but then I am fitting rear disc trailing arms c/w new h/brake cable, plus I'm changing the old flexi hoses for Goodridge braided ones. The nuts holding the flexi's up behind the axle carrier were very rusty, but I got them undone eventually, however trying to do it with the axle carrier/diff in place must be almost impossible.
When you have undone the nut holding the bolt through the axle bush and knocked the bolt up in to the car, refit the bolt in the bottom of the bush and tap it left and right to dislodge the top of the bush from the car body. The axle carrier then comes away complete with bushes. To get the old bushes out, I heated up the outer tube of the axle carrier until the rubber bush started to bubble, then belted the bushes out with a lump hammer. One had separated inner from outer completely, so more heat and tap the flange out all the way round to dislodge it.
Lucky me, I've got a fly press, so after cleaning out the metal tube, quick squirt with wash up liquid round bush, then press in . If you've got an very wide opening bench vise (like 250 - 300mm) you could press them in using that. Otherwise come to Newbury and use my fly press or get a local garage/engineering firm to press em in.
PS from my calculations, my rear suspension will now sit c. 25 - 30mm higher!!

[Simon13]

from my experience getting these done raises the back end about 10mm or so

[Treeman612]

Yes, you're right Simon - about 10 mm is right - still, it all helps keep the back end up and stop me scrubbing my nice new rubber too much!
One extra note on the install - neither Haynes nor Bentley warn you that you can not get the o/s wishbone inner bolt in cos the pipe in to the fuel tank is in the way. You have to drop the axle carrier about 25mm to get enough clearance to feed the bolt through the wishbone mounting. O/S inner wheel arch is totally rusted through, so I'm not fitting the o/s wishbone until I've welded in a repair arch. E30 fun just never ends, does it

[tomstickland]

When I broke a complete car recently I removed the rear subframe and decided that that would be the way to replace the subframe bushes. Classic case of more work making less in the long run.

Maybe.

[keith52]

Got a subframe complete with new OEM bushes pressed in ready surplus , anyone ?