m3 wishbone bushes

[gareth]

i'm going to fit my adjustable koni setup soon and was wondering about some m3 bushes while i'm at it.

does this make a worthwhile difference? where's a cheap place to get them? bmw only?

[E30Adam]

Definately do it, great improvement. Go for the eccentric M3 control arm bushes, they give a much more positive feeling through the steering.

[gareth]

sold! are they a bmw only part?

[E30Adam]

sold! are they a bmw only part?

I'm sure other places must do them but I got mine from the dealers.
Might be worth giving GSF a try but I have my doubts they'll stock them.

[gareth]

vauge price guestimate?

[Andy335Touring]

I think mine were 45(ish) from the dealers

[Turbo-Brown]

Anyone got a part number for these?

Sound like a good thing to do if the suspension's apart anyway

[Andy335Touring]

Off set m3 bush's Pn: 31 12 9 061 222

[gareth]

are they an easy swap or am i gonna be into the usual cutting and bashing to swap them?

[charlE30]

Another alternative to the BMW ones are the Powerflex eccentric control arm bushes. Just fitted mine and you DO notice a difference in the way the car handles

[Turbo-Brown]

Bloody hell!

Just been onto my local dealers, they want Ԛ£85+VAT for EACH one of those!

That's insane money for a rubber bush!

[Demlotcrew]

I really cant tell that much difference with these.

Andrew

[charlE30]

Maybe I notice the difference cause I don't have PAS??? or it could just be all the new bushes have made my car handle the way it did 184,000miles ago

Turbo are you talking about the BMW ones at Ԛ£85+VAT or powerflex?? The powerflex ones have an RRP of around Ԛ£18.95+VAT each... I know which I'd go for

[Andy335Touring]

The BMW bushs you only need to order one item as you get two bushs in the set.

85 + vat is to much money !

I'm sure i only paid 45 ish ?

Theres not a massive differance with these bushs but if you have to change them any way they are a step in the right direction .

[Simon13]

Bloody hell!

Just been onto my local dealers, they want Ԛ£85+VAT for EACH one of those!

That's insane money for a rubber bush!

Was that Barons in Ash Vale?

[Turbo-Brown]

Yeah, good ol' Barrons

The powerflex ones were about Ԛ£40 from Tweekies, but I'm beginning to wonder whether there's two in the set or one. I've ordered two anyway so I can always send one back.

[gareth]

I'm beginning to wonder whether there's two in the set or one. I've ordered two anyway so I can always send one back.

have they arrived yet? is it a car set? if it's 2 sets, pm me and i'll buy em off you!

[Treeman612]

I have just ordered from local BMW dealer - am paying Ԛ£77.01 inc vat for a pair (they only supply a pair, apparently.)
Also, Bentley manual says you MUST use special BMW lubricant when fitting new bush to control arm - apparently it sets after 30 minutes, locking bush to control arm. Is this BMW goo expensive, does anyone know, or could I use Loctite bearing fit, which I've got loads of??

[E30Adam]

I have just ordered from local BMW dealer - am paying Ԛ£77.01 inc vat for a pair (they only supply a pair, apparently.)
Also, Bentley manual says you MUST use special BMW lubricant when fitting new bush to control arm - apparently it sets after 30 minutes, locking bush to control arm. Is this BMW goo expensive, does anyone know, or could I use Loctite bearing fit, which I've got loads of??

That's utter rubbish, fairy liquid does just the trick!

[Demlotcrew]

I boil mine.

Andrew

[Treeman612]

Thanks, guys, I'm sure the fairy liquid (or boiling!!) will do the trick. I guess they must be a tight fit, so they do not need 'gluing' on, which seems to be the point of the BMW hard-setting lubricant.

[Demlotcrew]

if you think about it, what purpose would the glue serve?

Andrew

[Turbo-Brown]

To stop them rotating I guess.

[Treeman612]

I'm not sure, but I guess if the pin on the control arm is not a tight fit in the bush, it could move in and out, = floppy control arm? There must be a reason BMW recommend 'gluing' them in??

[Brianmoooore]

The inner metal sleeve of the bush is rubber lined, and must not rotate on the control arm pin, or it would wear rapidly.
You need a lubricant to get the bush on, but it must be of a type that is completely expelled from the joint after fitting., so no grease or the like.
I use a 33%/67% mix of washing up liquid/water, and pour hot water around the joint after fitting. Always get them on by hand, and haven'[t had one fail due to turning on the pin yet.

[karlp]

I have just fitted new powerflex bushes to my M3 and the design is different to the old eccentric bushes.

One thing to consider - as the suspension travels up and down the control arm 'rod' rotates, this if glued to the bush causes the bush to rotate or the rubber to be put under tension.

The new powerflex bush is made up of two sections and one rotates inside the other.

Karl

[Brianmoooore]

The rubber twisting under tension is what it's supposed to do with suspension movemevnt.

[karlp]

It may be what it is 'supposed' to do but it is a poor design. The really good ones use a spherical bearing that will freely rotate and consequently will last much longer.

Karl

[gareth]

actually, a spherical bearing will last nowhere near as long as a rubber bush in the real world. the benefit of a bush is, no friction on any parts. no lubrication required and no damage from shocks. spherical bearings require manitenance to keep clean and lubricated but rubber just gets on with it!

that said, some decent spherical bearings on all moving parts would give pinpoint precision on handling.

[Andy325i]

I have just fitted new powerflex bushes to my M3 and the design is different to the old eccentric bushes.

One thing to consider - as the suspension travels up and down the control arm 'rod' rotates, this if glued to the bush causes the bush to rotate or the rubber to be put under tension.

The new powerflex bush is made up of two sections and one rotates inside the other.

Karl

How do you stop the Powerflex, ones turning?

[karlp]

The powerflex are of a two piece construction. The outer section is set rigid in the hanger and has the offset hole. The inner bush is set tightly on the wishbone and is unable to move. The inner bush is then placed into the outer bush and this will rotate slightly. As the inner bush has a locating section onto the wishbone it cannot move with relation to that.
As the suspension travels up and down slightly the inner bush moves against the outer but returns to its original postion when the suspension settles.

Karl

[Andy325i]

cool! cheers mate, someone once said they were held in with a screw!!!! didn't think that would be the case

Regards

Andy