Subframe/ rear beam bushes, Help!!

[davelarge]

I'm in the middle of removing my rear beam/subframe mount bushes, I've been following the wiki guide and I've got the subframe loose and I'm now stuck trying to get the old bushes out!

The problem seems to be that the bushes have degraded that much that the metal centre has became separated from the rubbed and outer sections.

Just wondering if anyone has any extra tips on removing these before I loose all hope?

Thanks Dave.

[leeparkes]

Do you mean the metal bit is stuck in the shell?

[daimlerman]

At a guess,the bush centre has corroded to the upper mounting plate.

You have a number of options;
A hole saw to cut the remains of the rubber out
Big bar above the crossmember to force the blighter down
Socket extension up the hole and belt with Birmingham spanner until it submits.

This is about the most difficult E30 task to DIY,plenty of time is needed!

[davelarge]

Do you mean the metal bit is stuck in the shell?

The centre metal part is stuck to the shell separate from the rubber and outer metal part which is stuck in the subframe.

[davelarge]

At a guess,the bush centre has corroded to the upper mounting plate.

You have a number of options;
A hole saw to cut the remains of the rubber out
Big bar above the crossmember to force the blighter down
Socket extension up the hole and belt with Birmingham spanner until it submits.

This is about the most difficult E30 task to DIY,plenty of time is needed!

I think ill need to source a good sized hole saw then, I've already admitted defeat on finishing this today as I thought it would be hard but there a lot more stubborn than I thought!

[daimlerman]

Centre part;
Socket extension up it and belt with Birmingham spanner

Outer;
Cut carefully with a hacksaw.

Take the beam and your shiney new bushes to your local garage and slip them a tenner to press them in for you.

[davelarge]

Thanks ill give that a go and let you know how I get on!

As for taking the beam to a garage I've not got the been off the car or I'd have burnt the bushes out

[milescook]

Wiggling (a lot) the beam snapped off the alloy insert from the frame for me.

Once off, you'd have to do a lot of smelly burning to get the bushes out. I used a jigsaw - very health and safety - but you may as well take them to a garage anyway to get the old ones and put the new ones in, unless you have access to a press.

[davelarge]

I've made a little bit of progress since earlier, managed to remove the rubber with a bit of butchering with a large flat head screwdriver; also got the centre metal part free by lots of treatment with a hammer and some wiggling.

Tomorrows job is to hack saw the outer metal and press in the new bushes with a home made press as shown on the wiki.

Can't take the beam to a garage to get the bushes pressed in as I don't want to remove the whole rear subframe assembly.

[Brianmoooore]

90% of this job is getting the old bushes out. Drawing the new bushes in with a home made press (large washers and threaded bar) isn't particularly difficult.
You must use a lubricant that dries out, such as washing up liquid. Don't use anything like silicon grease, or the bushes will move in the subframe.

[davelarge]

Finally got the job done on Saturday afternoon, as brianmoooore said after the old bushes are out that's the hard work done and pushing the new bushes back in was relatively easy with the DIY press made from some threaded bar, a socket and a large washer.

Car feels great to drive now so I'd say it was definitely worth it although it does test your patience cutting the old bushes out by hand.

Thanks for the advice