Subframe Bushing DIY Guide

[mcoupemindy]

This is the best list that I've seen ... and follows my procedure when doing them pretty closely ...

• One day prior to doing work, spray lube all fasteners.

• Jack vehicle up as high as safety will allow, place jackstands on proper locations.

• Remove rear wheels, release parking brake.

• Remove bottom screw and the two forward screws from the rear wheel fender liners. Pop forward part of fender liner out to gain access to subframe mounting boles bushings and plate. Watch for the Clip on the bottom screw to fall out. (8mm)

• Place jack stands or screw jacks under rear trailing arms and remove lower shock bolt and Remove brake calipers bolts from trailing arm. Support calipers. (18mm)

• Disconnect speed sensor cable connector from rear differential, release parking brake cable from body clips, release speed sensor cables from clips on trailing arms.

• Remove 2 sway bar to body nuts and free clamps from body (13mm)

• Remove differential to body bolt and nut, be careful of washer on nut side. (19mm)

• Support exhaust and remove forward outboard mount bolt, rear upper muffler to body mounts and forward rubber supports. (14mm)

• Remove 2 rearmost nuts on each side of exhaust heat shield. (10mm)

• Remove air dams from each side just forward of subframe mounts.

• Remove 2 hex head screws on subframe mount to body plates on each side. (6mm hex)

• Remove subframe mount nuts. (22mm)

• Working on one side at a time, pull subframe down low enough to get puller installed and rod threaded fully into top puller nut.

• Be sure to line up the indentions/channels of the tool with the bushing/mount.

• Remove bushing with tool, remember to oil threaded rod.

[hoyabmw]

Note: those instructions are for M coupe & roadster.

E30 version:

remove rear seat bottom
Raise car & support with jackstands
remove 2 bolts (hex heads) just forward of subframe bolts on both sides
remove subframe nuts and retainer plate
knock bolt up into the car
swear while trying to get the subframe bushing loose from the chassis
use tool one side at a time

Notice the lack of other stuff that's not the bushing mounts needing to be removed. They made your life much more complicated Jonathan

[Car54]

This is the best list that I've seen ... and follows my procedure when doing them pretty closely ...

Credit for the write up goes to Joe Brannon.

[mcoupemindy]

Credit for the write up goes to Joe Brannon.

For sure ... he's also the one who's provided me more guidance than I'd ever need.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Note: those instructions are for M coupe & roadster.

E30 version:

remove rear seat bottom
Raise car & support with jackstands
remove 2 bolts (hex heads) just forward of subframe bolts on both sides
remove subframe nuts and retainer plate
knock bolt up into the car
swear while trying to get the subframe bushing loose from the chassis
use tool one side at a time

Notice the lack of other stuff that's not the bushing mounts needing to be removed. They made your life much more complicated Jonathan

Torch and hammer to get the subframe out, or just a hammer? Last time I did rear subframe bushings on an E30, I ended up in the cabin with a fire blanket.

[mcoupemindy]

Torch and hammer to get the subframe out, or just a hammer? Last time I did rear subframe bushings on an E30, I ended up in the cabin with a fire blanket.

Neither is necessary ... just a big pry bar at the most.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Neither is necessary ... just a big pry bar at the most.

Says the guy working on a nice, new, Z3.

[mcoupemindy]

Says the guy working on a nice, new, Z3.

Says the guy who has done several e30's too!

What's that phrase ... give me a big enough bar and I can ...

[Car54]

I've seen someone use a stock shaft driven jack wedged in where the springs would go to aid in dropping the subframe off the posts.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Says the guy who has done several e30's too!

What's that phrase ... give me a big enough bar and I can ...

Heh. Well, it seems that I have four or more E30s in the queue. I guess we will see.

[hoyabmw]

according to bill brochu (before he moved), on a lift, use a 6' pry bar and you can pop them loose no matter how bad they were stuck. ]

The first set I did on my car came out just being unbolted (factory installation). The second set required a torch and and air hammer after melting the bushing. The set that's in there now was liberally coated with anti-seize. We'll see if they come out later this week.

The ones off the parts car fell after I left them unbolted for about 2 weeks (I didn't need to get them apart right away)

[spidertri]

Hey everyone, I've just registered for the July 18th DIY to swap the stock subframe bushings in my 318ti to the Ireland Engineering ones. Are all the tools listed in the first post what I should bring? Is there anything else that would be helpful to have? Do I need to contact someone about renting/borrowing the special bushing removal tool?

[Munchenman2]

Please read the carefully written guidance document in the DIY Program webpage, then repeat your question if you need further guidance.

Thanks,
Alan
DIY Chair

[spidertri]

I found this page,

http://www.nccbmwcca.org/index.php?o...=37&Itemid=108

and I contacted the event coordinator and the special tools manager.

I didn't find anything specific to subframe bushings though. I read in another thread that is is possible to do the subframe bushings during these events, is that still true?

I am mechanically inclined and do alot of work on my car, but If there are any pointers or tricks that make the job easier I would love to hear them. Is anyone going to be at Passport that has done this job before?