Wishbone replacement.

[gooner1]

Used this http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ism3cabush.html

to remove my old wishbones and all associated gubbins.
Now ready to replace the lot, however the part in the above
for the installation , states that I have 25 mins from the time I use the lubricant, to get everything installed , wheels back on and car back on terra firma.
What happens if I exceed the allotted time?

This part.


The first thing to do is to reinstall the lollipop and new bushing onto the control arm.
Be aware that the bushing must be allow to settle (and the lubrication to wear off) while the suspension is in the normal, statically loaded position. This means that it is imperative that the car is put back on the ground with its control arms, bushes and wheel installed within 20-25 minutes of applying the lubricant to the bush.
For this reason, I would recommend doing this section one side at a time.
Firstly you need to prepare the lubricant. BMW sell a special substance which looses its lubricant properties within 30 minutes, but a DIY work around will do as well. I used a small soft drinks bottle and mix 1 part washing up liquid to 2 parts of water. You will only need about 20ml.

Lubricate the control arm end and the bush centre hole with this mixture. I used an old toothbrush. Be prepared to complete the next steps within about 15 minutes.
Using a steady force and a slight twisting action, push the control arm fully into the bushing. You may find it hard to do this, so use a piece of wood as a drift and hammer it home. Make sure it is orientated in generally the correct direction - see the installed photo below.
Now place the control arm onto the subframe and strut. I found it easiest to start with the central balljoint, then the lollipop and finally the outer balljoint. Put on their respective nuts and tighten them - but not fully.
Reconnect the anti-roll bar link (although time can be saved by temporaily skipping this).
Put the wheels back on, remove the axle stands and lower the car to the ground. Bounce the car up and down (with the hadbrake off) to settle the suspension.
Now finish tightening the lollipop bolts, antiroll bar links and balljoint nuts.
Congratulations - you're finished! Now do the other side...
Do not raise the car for at least an hour if you used the BMW lubricant. If you used washing up liquid, then don't raise the car for at least a day. It would be prudent not to drive the car either for similar periods so to avoid wearing the bushing hole.
Happy motoring!

[daimlerman]

The rubber bush is lubricated,this lubrication dry's out,leaving the bush in the position it is in when the lubricant dry's.So if the car is not at it's normal ride hieght,the bush fails to locate it's self properly....leading to stress on the bush...leading to premature failure of the new bush.

This is just one of the reasons why I use polyurethene bushes in this location,as they are a two piece bush,they cannot 'stick' in the wrong position.

[gooner1]

Well I am now, by my own admission, a fully paid up, card carrying Div.


Got all the parts lined up next to my car, all relevant sockets and the all important
lube. Drove the lollipop onto the Wishbone and proceeded to fit it all.
To cut a long story short, I didn't drive the lollipop and bush fully onto the Wishbone, resulting
in the two bolts not lining up with the two holes in the chassis.

Now have to remove it all, cut out the brand new M3 bush, buy another one, get it installed onto lollipop arm and try again. Damn, damn ,damn damn damn.

[spook]

Oi Dinlo,get yer bush sorted dahn Kwik Fit for a drink

[harry_p]

I've removed m3 bushes from a wishbone by holding the lollipop in a vice and turning the wishbone, gradually unscrewing the bush.

Worth a go instead of hacking it to bits.

In theory you could mark the bush housing to arm position with the wheels on the ground and pre-fit the new bush to the arm in the same position.

[bss325i]

The rubber bush is lubricated,this lubrication dry's out,leaving the bush in the position it is in when the lubricant dry's.So if the car is not at it's normal ride hieght,the bush fails to locate it's self properly....leading to stress on the bush...leading to premature failure of the new bush.

This is just one of the reasons why I use polyurethene bushes in this location,as they are a two piece bush,they cannot 'stick' in the wrong position.

The method to prevent this happening is to use something that dries quick, brake cleaner or tyres soap and to not bolt the lolly pop bracket to the chassis until the lubricant has dried.

The correct position for the lolly pop is parallel with the wishbone.

[pacerpete]

Rob, I am pretty certain that with the aid of a LARGE hammer and a deep socket that sits on the inner sleeve of the bush you will be able to persuade the bushes on until they are 'home'

Wedge a block of wood between the wishbone and the chassis rail to stop the arm flailing and to concentrate your beasting. I bought an E36 touring with a VERY wrong MOT . They had ignored the missing o/s sill , MIA handbrake shoes and loads more but had strangely replaced the O/S wishbone and bush. The bush was barely on the wishbone but some medieval activity soon schooled it A bit of heat on the wishbone pin and or some lube in its path will help.

[gooner1]

I've removed m3 bushes from a wishbone by holding the lollipop in a vice and turning the wishbone, gradually unscrewing the bush.

Worth a go instead of hacking it to bits.

In theory you could mark the bush housing to arm position with the wheels on the ground and pre-fit the new bush to the arm in the same position.

Will try that, harry, cheers.

Will also take note of your tip too, Barry.

My fault spook, trying to rush things after work, in failing light
and zero temps whilst laying on me back and trying to ignore the inane drivel spouted by my daughters American/Polish/Cornish tight arsed boyfriend. It was kwik fit that
pressed me bushes in ,for a cock n hen.

[gooner1]

Ah pete, that sounds like my kind of fix.

[gooner1]

Sorted.
Took whole assembly off, bit of heat on the Wishbone pin and the bush came straight off.
More heat, some lube and pushed it right home.
Will blow torch most of the paint of the other new Wishbone pin, when I get round to the other
side, as I think it was overly thick. Like myself at times.

[gooner1]

This aint going well.

Passenger side outer control arm stud has just sheared off complete with nut, leaving the rest
flush with the strut mounting. Hacksaw time.

[Speedtouch]

Most steering arms have a flat spot on, which when whacked with a ball-pein hammer, will loosen the tapered joint (though you may also need a bit of heat and PlusGas)...

[gooner1]

Used all my Gas on the first side.

Too dark/cold now, it'll have to wait.

[spook]

Use the old woman to blow some hot air mate