Powerflex trailing arm bush help needed....

[charlE30]

Trying to fit my powerflex bush set and am having problems with the trailing arm bushes. Both poly parts fit into the trailing arm with no problem but when I come to slide the steel tube down the middle it pushes the other side out by about 3-4mm . I'm using a length of threaded M10 rod with steel plates (larger than the diameter of the bush) either end to insert the steel tube so in theory there is no way that the poly parts can move but they do. Has anyone on here fitted these and if so what kind a lube did you use? I've tried the powerflex provided lube and washing up liquid on the steel tube but neither work or am I not using enough? Any help on this one much appreciated

[Ant]

try window cleaner dude, never fails me

[charlE30]

Ant mate are you serious about window cleaner and if so do you have a favourite brand

[calder]

it may not be important - have you tried fitting the arms back into the sub-frame? It's been a while since i did it but iirc if it fits and the subframe bolts go through then you may not need to worry.

[charlE30]

Interesting idea but surely the width of the trailing arm + shoulder of the bush would = the internal width of the bracket on the sub or you'd have sideways movement when it's all back together. I'll investigate further tomorrow (when it's stopped raining).

again calder

[calder]

iirc the powerflex bushes are a bit thinner on the shoulder than the bmw oems, the bolts and the sub/f tighten up on the steel tube not the rubber.
i could be wrong - yep try it when its not raining.

[x-works]

Fitted the same bushes a few weeks ago and had exactly the same problem, in the end we trimmed 3mm off the inside of one half of the bush and ground a slight taper on the pin to stop it "picking up" while being inserted. Worked out perfect. Hope this helps. Some pic's on the link. http://www.xworksmotorsport.com/bmw7.htm

[charlE30]

x-works very impressive site mate, just makes me wish I'd got the space to do a full bare metal rebuild of my car. You've done a top job there .
I'm goin try what you did and put a slight taper on the axle to try and stop it "picking up" when inserting.

[x-works]

Thanks hope to update it this weekend, we've got the brakes and wheels(Ford rims ) sorted and hope to build a wireing loom to start the car this weekend. Never drove an E30 before. Just hope she's tail happy
. Make sure you trim the 2-3mm off the inside of one of the bushings or one will still push the other out.

[Jordan]

I don't have powerflex on mine, but the same design.

I drove mine into the trailing arm with the steel rod inplace, rather then trying to install the rod after.

I used no lube, just a rubber mallet.

[charlE30]

x-works mate yep trimmed 3mm off the inside and put a small taper on one end of the axle and they've gone in enough to fit back onto the subframe You'll love driving the E30 and they can be very "tail happy".

Jordan I tried this method and it didn't work for me, powerflex bushes must be made from a softer compound or a tighter fit than the ones you fitted.

Cheers for the tips fellas