rear subframe tool

[wise]

hi. where can i get a rear subframe tool from. or is there a easy way of getting the bushes out?

[cliffybabe]

Machine Mart seeling a pulling tool, this is a real pig sh*t of a job for a DIY job

[rich318i]

heat the steel up with a torch and not the rubber makes the rubber soft then hit them out with a hammer. bit of flame and smoke, very easy to do

[wise]

cheers

[buster]

what ever you do dont heat up the new bushes as if your not carefull you will melt them.Infact when fitting them you could heat the hole in the subframe but its not needed.You need to press them in,or use the tool.Or use some studding and washers to pull it in.

[rich318i]

r u dropping the whole frame ?

[buster]

I would

[wise]

dont no really. how would you do them.

[buster]

If you don't have the tool then you need to remove the subframe from both ends.

[rich318i]

Be easy to do mate, just have someone to help you out. Do the rear mounts too while you're at it, and paint it all up. That's what i did.

[Brianmoooore]

Yet to try it myself, but old skool 2002s idea of using a hole saw sounds the way to get the old bushes out.

[buster]

i think it was danthe that came up with that idea,very good idea.I just heat them until the centre metal sleeve drops out then put a hacksaw into the centre and saw in 2 places then pry it out.

[johnna]

burning rubber? is there a danger of creating hydroflouric acid????

[buster]

hydo what
Theres certainly risk of me not knowing what your talking about

[sam325is]

if you melt some types of rubber you can produce it and its really nasty stuff, touch it with bear skin and ive heard of people having to have their fingers cut off. Its mostly old engine seals I belive, im quite sure that this type of rubber isnt used on bushes.

[rich318i]

no it's not in them bushes cos im still ok lol use fairly liquid to push the new bushes in done a few of them and it works a treat

[rich318i]

but drop the frame cos u can paint it all up with under sill thats if u care about rust

[wise]

thanks 4 the advise.

[jaistanley]

I removed my beam, stripped it down then used a bottle jack in a door frame and some wood to form a make-shift press. (I'm sorting a picture hosting thing soon so I'll re-post a pic later)

Worked a treat! I had to apply the full load and some heat to get old ones out. Hairspray is a good lubricat to get the new ones in.

Jai

[mick_318is]

Their is an article on the forum somewhere where someone made a tool from water pipe fittings and some threaded bar. Have a search.

[Andy325i]

hydo what
Theres certainly risk of me not knowing what your talking about

iirc the Powerflex ones are a lot easier to get back in and a worthwhile upgrade to do

Andy

[jaistanley]

I put Polyflex bushes into my iS. MUCH easier to fit but I'd urge 90% of road users to fit rubber bushes, I'm going to on my S50 Powered 325i.

Hydroflouric acid is evil.. Gets onto skin, soaks in with little damage and dissolves bones and organs. Yummy. . You wont produce it burning your bushes though.

Jai