iX & i subframe bushing *stoppers*. Are they the same?

[A Sucked Orange]

Currently fighting the subframe bushings. The stoppers had bonded to the aluminum sleeve on the bushing. Tried as hard as we could to separate the two and ended up having to cut the stoppers off. Now I am looking for stoppers... So my question is is there any reason 'i' stoppers wont work? The iX's will have to be ordered from Germany

Also... One bushing is still stuck. We're using the pitman arm + 2 jaw puller + industrial heat gun technique. The lip is so rusty its just bending.Havent even gotten it to budge yet. Sprayed some PB. Any ideas?

[nando]

are they different part #s?

good chance the ix's are different, as the subframe bushings are different.

try cutting the bushings out instead.

[Northern]

If stoppers are the big washer that goes on top of the subframe bushing, then yes, you can use the I washers with I subframe bushings, but you will need to space your diff down to make up the difference at the diff mount. You will lose some camber in the rear, just like using subframe riser bushings on a non-ix.

If your old ones just have the old aluminun sleeve stuck in them, you can place it upside down in a vice and use a large punch/socket and extension to beat the sleeve out of it, drill it out, heat it up, or whatever combination you want.

To remove the bushing from the subframe, I usually cut the bushing center out with a recip saw or hacksaw, then cut through the outer metal ring just through to the rubber, lift an edge with a chisel, and drive it out.

[A Sucked Orange]

Well I ordered the "i" stopper washers to see if I could make them work with extra washers. I have iX bushings. I will let you know what I figure out.

As for getting the bushing out..

Northern...

Tell me more about cutting the outer metal ring. Do you mean the lip on the bottom or do you mean the sleeve? After you lift an edge how do you drive it out? Im working on my back so it's a bit of a pain. Perhaps crumple the bushings sleeve it inside the subframe to the point it just falls out?

[Northern]

I cut through the outer sleeve into the thin ring of rubber on the outside, stuck a chisel under the edge and hit it with a ball peen to get it out. Other side I essentially used an air hammer with a chisel attachment to do the same. I did this off the car, if you're doing it this way on the car, you're going to have a bad time.

Also the I stopper/washer is thinner, so with the longer sleeve on the ix bushing, you may need to cut ~0.250" off the top of the ix subframe bushing so the inner sleeve doesn't bottom out inside the car.