Is this the rear subframe bushings?

[Sagaris]

When I am on the freeway and I accel/decel, the rear of my car feels like it is moving a bit like a half degree of rear steering just kicked in.

Also when I let off the throttle I do not hear any noise in the back but as soon as I tap the brake I hear a faint clunk.

I am 100% ready to accept the fact that all my bushings are probably shot.


Heres a question, why is it that BMW's always need bushing replacements as if its a routine maintenance item? Most cars seem to never need new bushings.

Also, how long should one expect the bushings to last?


I'm sure these are beat-to-death questions but just try to humor me on this one, that way I dont have to smash your face in with my gigantic snow boots. Thanks a lot R3Vheads!

Pix for clix: A nice E34 I saw when I lived in Antigua

[Aptyp]

When I am on the freeway and I accel/decel, the rear of my car feels like it is moving a bit like a half degree of rear steering just kicked in.

Also when I let off the throttle I do not hear any noise in the back but as soon as I tap the brake I hear a faint clunk.

I am 100% ready to accept the fact that all my bushings are probably shot.


Heres a question, why is it that BMW's always need bushing replacements as if its a routine maintenance item? Most cars seem to never need new bushings.

Also, how long should one expect the bushings to last?

Two questions:

1. Is this your first car? Rubber bushings are always wear item on every vehicle. You're talking about 20-year-old rubber, it's about damn time to replace some of it. How many other cars of this age do you even on the road?

2. Do you own a jack? If so, lift your rear and look. You're "rear steering" feeling can be your front alignment. Faint clunk can be a number of diff sounds. With my rear seat removed, I can hear diff noises. Checked TABs? Shock mounts? If your sway bar links broke you'd hear noises.


Go look, take pics, and report back.

[Sagaris]

This is my 15th car. I understand that rubber bushings wear out but I have owned cars with higher miles/similar age and that have been tracked and still never gave me the impression that the bushings needed replacement, on top of that I have never heard of so many people replacing suspension bushings as I have with BMW's.

I bought the car a few months ago and had a 4 wheel alignment done the next day.

I just got a new jack for Christmas after the cheap old one I had broke. I just need to wait for it to get above 20 degrees or some reasonable temperature to go take a peek.


by tabs you mean these guys, right?

[kylekrueger]

If your subframe bushings need to be replaced sometimes, in my personal experience, when they are blown you can hear a creaking noise coming from the back of the car. This happens when you first start, from a stop sign for example, as the subframe takes the full load of the weight shift to the back. You can also hear it when stopping when the load comes off the back the bushings will creak again. Also judging by the looks of those bump stops on the rear dampeners you might want to just replace them anyway and because yes its like 20 year old rubber. :D

If your going to replace them let me know because I have to do mine as well