Ebay rear subframe stabilizers

[funcrew]

There's 2 kinds of E30 owners out there. If you remember The Odd Couple TV show, the 2 types are the Felixes and the Oscars. This product is designed for Oscars only. IF YOU ARE A FELIX, THEN THIS THREAD IS NOT FOR YOU.

This product is 2 wedges (made from PVC pipe) per rear subframe bushing that take up the air space in the 2 grooves found in OEM bushings:




You have to remove the car-to-subframe bracket on each side. The instructions call for driving the stabilizers in dry with a hammer. I cleaned the bushing holes with MAF cleaner, gooped up the stablilzers with polyurethane caulk and pushed them in with a floor jack, a hunk of wood, and a random socket. I Let the glue dry for 8 hours before lowering the car back onto the ground.



Results: I have no way of comparing the results to fresh subframe bushings. I test drove over some bumps, potholes, and pavement transitions. Before, and using technical teminology, the car would go "clank-rattle-rattle-shake-clank." On the same obstacles, it now goes "ga-bump." I can also feel a lot more road-surface vibration now.

I'm very pleased with the product. Probably nowhere near as good as fresh bushings, but vastly better than the old ones prior to installing these. I've asked the Ebay seller to cook up some for the front control arm bushings so I can test them.

[CorvallisBMW]

Interesting idea, I've seen them before. I just put new subframe bushings in mine but I imagine these would reduce some of the flex in them. Does the rear end feel more 'planted' or is it mostly a reduction in suspension noises?

[DCColegrove]

Been doing this for years, works well to tighten the rear end up.

It does make the car a little "sketchy" like the solid bushings do but not as much, so this makes a fine choice for the daily driver.

[CorvallisBMW]

what size pipe do you use?

[Wiglaf]

if you went through the trouble of dropping the subframe, why wouldn't you put in urethane bushings? What you did might have saved $20 but it's still several hours of work either way.

[funcrew]

if you went through the trouble of dropping the subframe, why wouldn't you put in urethane bushings? What you did might have saved $20 but it's still several hours of work either way.

My post was a little misleading. The photo of the bushing shown is from the seller's ad; you don't remove the bushings in real life.

This method does not involve dropping the subframe, otherwise I would have swapped in the IE greens I already have laying around. The subframe and bushings stay in place, you only R&R the small bracket between the bottom of the bushing and the rocker panel, which is (I'm guessing) maybe 10% or less of the work of dropping the subframe.

[funcrew]

Interesting idea, I've seen them before. I just put new subframe bushings in mine but I imagine these would reduce some of the flex in them. Does the rear end feel more 'planted' or is it mostly a reduction in suspension noises?

Car feels a lot more stable in all conditions.

[Coco Savage]

hmm..intresting

[twistednut]

Just made a set with 2" sch 40 PVC. Just replace my bushings last year so honestly I do not feel that big of difference. I'm fairly positive they will pay dividends over time since they do reduce the ability for the bushing to flex.

[der affe]

i did this 2 1/2 years ago. it made a big difference. for the price you can't beat it, kind of a nice in between stock and urethane. i did notice a difference, but it didn't fix the clunk i though it was causing, that ended up being the guibo

[wagonizzle]

Just installed these over the weekend, along with new trans/motor mounts, and a new guibo. The car is a lot stiffer all around, but now I have a more pronounced clunk in the rear when loads shift fore/aft. I assume it is from the other bushings that haven't been replaced taking more of the energy now. Time to do the TA bushings, diff mount and RSMs. Is there anything else that would cause such a clunk?

And for the record, these seem to be a good deal for the money and not having to drop the subframe. Having an air hammer helps.

[StereoInstaller1]

Just made a set with 2" sch 40 PVC. Just replace my bushings last year so honestly I do not feel that big of difference. I'm fairly positive they will pay dividends over time since they do reduce the ability for the bushing to flex.

Schweet, Schtan...do mine?

Oh yeah, nvm...I am leaving tonight.

See you soon, bubba.