Rear subframe bush tool? + removal + pics

Post Wed Jul 08, 2015 7:40 pm

My new daily is in E36 compact form. Its a minter however, it failed its MOT there on the rear subframe bushings which seem a pure bastard of a job. ( same rear end as E30 ofcourse )

Maxfield however, commented on my facebook post stating that perhaps somebody on here has a tool available for renting to stop me needing to drop the entire arse off my car? This would make life a lot easier for me getting my banana MOTed.

Post Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:06 pm

Demlot has one iirc

Post Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:13 pm

What happened to the e90/e92?

Post Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:40 pm

I havnt had an E92 since December. Iv had 8 cars since then. I shoulda kept it but I was sick of being owned by the bank. So i sold it, moved home to save up for a house, E30s booked in for finishing next month too.

Post Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:56 pm

It was nice thing but probably for the best. I don't even like having my phone contract on a direct debit.

I used to hate compacts when they were newish but a local guy got one on LMs and it was funky/different... still hate the yellow/black steering wheel.

All the best with your e30.

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 5:58 am

bab-91 wrote:It was nice thing but probably for the best. I don't even like having my phone contract on a direct debit.

I used to hate compacts when they were newish but a local guy got one on LMs and it was funky/different... still hate the yellow/black steering wheel.

All the best with your e30.

Thats it man, its not a great feeling. Il buy a 92 M3 in a few years but il be aiming to pay a healthy whack in cash! Could be a while.

Haha I used to hate them too! they seem to be going through a phase at the minute. I just liked mine cause it was dakar yellow and cheap to run. Its also mint. I did bin the steering wheel. And all the interior for that matter. It just has a bucket seat in it and not much else. And then I found 18x8.5 ACS to shoehorn on.

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:28 am

Verde. re sub frame bushes it may be worth just pulling the back end of the car...its lilkely that other bushes will need doing whislt your at it anyhow.

I eventually removed mine with the rear beam on the bench.. it just looked like too much grief trying to work on then in situ.

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:52 am

aimlessrock wrote:Verde. re sub frame bushes it may be worth just pulling the back end of the car...its lilkely that other bushes will need doing whislt your at it anyhow.

I eventually removed mine with the rear beam on the bench.. it just looked like too much grief trying to work on then in situ.

I have done quite a bit of inspection as I wanted to check the trailing arm ones etc and these dont appear to need doing. Im thinking from a speed point of view plus I dont really have the ideal conditions to do this. Im also conserving cash having booked the e30 in for a professional spray next month, i just wanna get this MOTed so im not reliant on lifts again.I see what your saying though. Ideal scenario I would want to pull the whole rear and polybush the lot so it doesnt need done again

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 10:28 am

We made a tool when i did the ones on my E30, meant we could do it in situ. Pics...

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:10 pm

That looks like it did the job perfectly! I think luckily iv found a friend who can borrow one from work. Failing that wel try and make one to do it in situ

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:37 pm

Yea, it absolutely nailed it! Just used the car's weight to press them back in too. If you get totally stuck PM me and i can always lend you this one if you grab the postage cost, still have it made up in the garage somewhere!

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:25 pm

Really appreciate that Andy. Thank you! I did wonder about using gravity and weight to press them in

Post Thu Jul 09, 2015 11:11 pm

No problem matey, just shout if you need it!
Yea gravity did the job, should be some more pics on my build thread, last post i think, about using it etc

Post Fri Jul 10, 2015 8:24 am

Will do man thanks. Can you link your thread?

Well I managed to get most of the bolts out last night but snapped a subframe one, so il order another one today and that should be that. Did you disconnect the prop or did it have enough room to lay forward?

Post Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:29 pm

Well i thought i might take some photos in case anybody is considering this. I really considered putting it to a garage because i didn't want to drop my whole rear end but Maxfield said on Facebook I could drop the frame partially and rock it forward and pull them. So thats what I did.

1 Remove exhaust
2 Remove sill subframe bolts
3 Remove large subframe nuts
4 Make sure diff sensor etc and all other wires clear
5 Remove diff bolt and support with jack
6 Remove springs and shocks
7 lower frame to create gap to bolts and remove

Waiting for a riend to lend me the bmw tool tomorrow and il replace the bushes as theres plenty room to get in.

Post Tue Jul 14, 2015 7:26 pm

Sorry Verde i missed your reply and question - Prop remained in place

Build thread is called Andy's 318iS / M52b30 i think

Post Wed Jul 15, 2015 8:16 pm

No worries Andy, I managed to sort it out by burning and hammering the old ones out in situ, and my mates e60 rosebush tool ( serious threaded bar ) managed to get them in. Cars back to handling great! Currently in Vienna with work, cant wait to give it a serious test on my return!