Rear Subframe Help!

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:29 pm

Hi,

Been trying to take the rear subframe off today to replace all the bushes and give it a clean up, but it is stuck!

We've taken out the rear diff bolt and the 2 bolts through the subframe bushes, disconnected the brake lines and sensors, loosened the prop shaft but the subframe won't drop. It seems to be stuck where the top of the subframe bushes attach to the car. We've tried hitting and rocking the whole subframe but nothing is happening. Any tricks to doing this? We are trying to get it off today and its really pissing me off!

Cheers, James

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:33 pm

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/d ... Section=05

Good info here, dunno if its any use though

Pics would be good when done

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:36 pm

Try inserting the bolts into the bottom of the bush and 'applying some force' with a hammer. Nothing too strong, just do a couple of hits and then change direction.

It'll be the bush cores seized into the bodyshell. I'm assuming from your post that the diff is still on the beam? This can make it tricky to get the beam free also.

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:37 pm

He says take the bolts out of the subframe and it will drop straight off. Not in this case - its stuck fast both sides!

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:39 pm

Chris-W wrote:Try inserting the bolts into the bottom of the bush and 'applying some force' with a hammer. Nothing too strong, just do a couple of hits and then change direction.

It'll be the bush cores seized into the bodyshell. I'm assuming from your post that the diff is still on the beam? This can make it tricky to get the beam free also.

Do the cores actually go into the bodyshell? This seems like what is stuck. We've pounded them with a hammer (gentle hammering did nothing) but no sign of movement.

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 5:58 pm

Is the diff still on? If so, I would imagine it's tipping the beam backwards?

Try a jack under the diff to take the weight off before you try to release the bush cores from the shell.

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 6:00 pm

[quote="jamesc"]Do the cores actually go into the bodyshell? /quote]

Yes - the exposed alloy part at the top of the bush is inserted into a corresponding cavity in the shell.

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:02 pm

Ok, we got the subframe off. The bushes were so far gone we put a bush puller on them and they popped the centres out. Good points - the subframe is off. Bad points - the centres of the bushes are still frimly in the car!

Managed to get the rest of the old bush out with fire, and ideas how to get the centres out? They are well stuck.

Some pics:

Fire!

Stuck centre

Subframe

James

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:09 pm

Snap 'em off and drill out what remains! When they're stubborn, they really are stubborn.

Post Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:31 pm

jamesc wrote:ideas how to get the centres out? They are well stuck.
James

Violence is the short answer.

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:11 pm

Can anyone offer anymore light on this? The old bush centres will not budge. They are definatley not fixed in somehow? I have applied some measure of violence to them but I am afraid of damaging the chassis rail in some way.

Cheers, James

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:47 pm

Try a 3/8" extension bar in from the top, then whacking the protruding end.

They tend to snap off in the end, worst way, leaving you to drill the remnant out.

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:09 pm

I know this might be a bit late.....but before taking off the sub-frame, i soaked some diesel 24Hrs before hand on the fittings from under the rear seat,, this made it a bit easier....

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:08 pm

why is your subframe on fire?

what are the plans for it would love to give my rear axel an overhaul!

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:11 pm

he burnt out the old bushes i believe

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:10 pm

Yes I just set fire to the old bushes with a blowlamp - a few minutes of flaming and they practically slid out!

The f&*$ing centres are still in the car! I tried this evening wrapping it with plastic and tape, and filling the hole from inside the car with parafin and leaving it to soak for a bit. Made no difference, still stuck fast

Its beyond funny now!

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:25 pm

Get the big hammer out.

ED

Post Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:25 pm

get a longish bar that fits inside the sleeves an push it back and forth that should free em, up kinda like a big lever

Post Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:19 pm

Got the bastards out at the weekend!

Wrapped a wet towel around the petrol tank and heated them up with a blow torch, then sprayed with cold water to give a bit of rapid cooling. A couple of sharp taps with the hammer from above and out they popped.

Just got the trailing arm bushes to get out now......

Cheers, James

Post Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:23 pm

Evil sods, aren't they?

At least you can burn the arm bushes out!

Post Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:28 pm

an old head bolt is a great tool for removing the subframe bushes

heat em up a little slide the head bolt thru the middle and smackkkkkkkkkk

out they pop on a good day

Post Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:34 pm

jamesc wrote:Wrapped a wet towel around the petrol tank and heated them up with a blow torch

did you know that a wet towel transfers heat faster than a dry towel! by a fucking huge difference!!

if you dont believe me, try taking a tray out of an oven with a damp/wet towel on your hand... you wont want to! dry towel, its ok!

glad to hear you got the s/frame out though!!

what bushes are you using when you put it all back in?