Rear suspension

[gae30]

Need your some help - I have a 89 325i and am wanting to replace/refresh the rear suspension - what bushings exist back there - and where are good places to get them. As you can tell - I am new to this car game - so go easy on me.

I am thinking that subframe bushings, differential bushings, etc...

any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Digitalwave]

Trailing arm bushings, and subframe bushings are what you'll want to do. Maybe your rear shock mounts too. Differential bushings hardly ever wear out.

You can buy them all from www.bmwbushings.com if you want to upgrade to urethane, if not you can get the OEM rubber ones almost anywhere. They are not very easy to install though.

[gae30]

Thanks - trailing arm and subframe -

Do I need any special tools - or just alot of hardwork?

[Stu]

Thanks - trailing arm and subframe -

Do I need any special tools - or just alot of hardwork?

You'll need a ladies-foot or a killer prybar to jerk the rear subframe loose from the body, and having new rubber trailing arm bushings in pressed in could require special tools. Yea...the whole rear suspension refresh can be a complete mother fucker.

[nando]

my subframe came out easy.. but I still had the diff in it which helped pull it down.

there are several methods for replacing trailing arm and subframe bushings. the first is to use the factory tools or pay a shop to do it. both are expensive. another option is to burn out the rubber with a torch and cut the leftover metal ring out with a hacksaw.

What I did was weld up a custom tool for removing subframe bushings, and I replaced everything with polyurethane which just slides right in. The trailing arm bushings are actually pretty easy, you can do it with a standard puller but you'll need to cut some of the rubber away on one side so the puller can grip onto the arm.

[gae30]

Thanks guys - I am having an s52 put in - should be done monday - then I am going to work on that rear suspension. Maybe since he's in there - I will just have the guy doing the swap do those two items for me.....we will see. May not be able to contain myself too much longer - actually Stuart - I think this guy has used your dad's knowledge before - Bobby Thrash?

[tengu1619]

urethane bushings

just replaced the subframe and control arm bushings and some race springs 2 weekends ago. I had a friend help me and it took about 4 1/2 hours. I also changed out other fluids.
The subframe bushigs were both broken on mine. Gave a nice wobbly rear end. I bought my urethane bushings @ ireland engineering and there awesome!
good luck! :twisted:

[Stu]

Thanks guys - I am having an s52 put in - should be done monday - then I am going to work on that rear suspension. Maybe since he's in there - I will just have the guy doing the swap do those two items for me.....we will see. May not be able to contain myself too much longer - actually Stuart - I think this guy has used your dad's knowledge before - Bobby Thrash?

Yes, I believe my dad has known him for a number of years. We've done a lot of business with Bobby, he helped me source most of my 5-lug conversion parts.

[gae30]

I am looking forward to getting the car back - Bobby has encountered some snags - mainly a broken arm while road racing his bike (pedal power)....slowed him down a bit. So we will see - he has been a pleasure to work with.