Which subframe/TA bushings to use and where to get?

[Ryan Stewart]

It's been decided that I am going to do the bushings myself after all. I was thinking Urethane subframe ones but rubber Ta bushings because I am afraid they will squeak.

Any suggestions on brands, place to get, and any other type of trailing arm bushing that would be better than stock but wouldnt squeak?

Also wasnt there a writeup that showed a home-made tool for removing the trailing arm bushings?

[Bill 84 318i]

IE has two kinds of urethane subframe bushings - call them up and ask what they recommend.

Personally, I think that the stiffness of bushings under the car should match the stiffness of the suspension. For this reason, I'd definitely go stronger than stock rubber for the subframe ones. Urethane is a good alternative, but I'm personally not a fan. I like rubber better, and because of this, I'll be a moron when I replace mine and probably get the Group N ones (they're available on TMS's site). They're expensive. I'll also just get OEM rubber trailling arm bushings.

This the picture you're looking for?

[Ryan Stewart]

That looks to be it, thanks

Question two:

The ecentric bushings. Can you actually reduce camber ANY or do they just work on toe?

[Bill 84 318i]

See, I'm definitely not a fan of eccentric bushings. You can't change the toe without changing the camber (which becomes clear if you just think about it. Rotate one bushing 90 degrees and the arm will pivot, not move just up/down or just forward/backward). Gustave Stroes has a great article on the bushings here: http://www.e30m3performance.com/tech...h/ecc_bush.htm

My personal favorite is the stuff IE sells. They are adjustable tabs that get welded onto the subframe in place of the stock trailing arm mounting tabs. This way you can adjust toe and camber seperately. The basic idea is here: http://www.e30m3performance.com/inst..._sub/index.htm

It's a lot of reading, but good stuff.

[mspiegle]

check no farther than bmwbushings.com, scott is an excellent guy and i bought TA bushings, diff bushing, and subframe bushings. All were pretty good quality.

[Bill 84 318i]

All were pretty good quality.

What makes you say "pretty good"? That makes me a little nervous.

[JRowe]

Hey Ryan,
I'm in overland park, ks also and plan to do the exact same thing to my car in the next few months; urethane subframe mounts with stock trailing arm bushings. I haven't seen any better prices than the IE subrame mounts. Stock trailing arm bushings are cheap, but I would recommend BMA. Great prices. Let me know if you need any help or want company when you do the repairs. I'd be happy to help.

[Ryan Stewart]

Hey thanks man, I wil probably do them over at Barretts house in Lawrence because he has experience with this type of suspension and even better tools than me. He used to work for a shop.

PM me if you ever want to meet up sometime, it would be interesing to finally meet another E30 enthusiast here, to most people they are just daughter cars.

[Ryan Stewart]

Ok, got he parts en route and am planning on doing the changeover this weekend. Any last minute tips?

Also, where should I support the car while dropping the subframe? I plan on dropping the whole thing for removing my trailing arms.

[Bill 84 318i]

Also, where should I support the car while dropping the subframe? I plan on dropping the whole thing for removing my trailing arms.

I would just use jackstands and blocks of wood under the factory locations.

[Bryson]

I finished up my install today-- did it at the shop and it was an absolute bitch to get my subframe bushings out, they went in really easily though. :)
Did you end up ordering subframe bushings from IE? That's where I ordered mine from and I used stock t-arm bushings.

I held mine up using the side of a jack stand in the little hole on the factory jacking point, not the best way, but what other alternative is there.
And a tip for the install- bolt the diff up first with the subframe on a jack, that way the subframe bushings should all but line themselves up into theier holes.
Also, the metal part of my new bushings was a bit smaller than the stock ones and mine don't fit so snugly, I'd like to know if yours are the same. It shouldn't have any negative effects having them like that though.
I made a new post about my troubles removing the old bushings.
hth
-bryson