RTAB Install

[KenC]

I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger and replacing my squeaky urethane trailing arm bushings with some eccentric OEM rubber ones.

I think the urethane ones will just pull out, but what tool do you guys use to install the new rubber ones?

Would a C-Clamp work? I'm sure I could make something out of pipe and a threaded rod/nut combo.

[evil_twin]

AKG has a tool, you can probably make something similar at the hardware store.

[evil_twin]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1426839

Or

http://www.akgmotorsport.com/catalog/view.php?image=images/RTABTLlg.jpg

Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Removal Tool
For BMW e30 (318 323 325 M3), e36 (318ti only), Z3
Greatly simplifies the removal & installation of factory and AKG bushings
Click here for instructions

#RTABTL
Price: $35.00
Qty:
Email to Friend Email item info to a friend

[evil_twin]

And don't do what dude at bfc, make sure you grease it up. It will help with the installation and the squeaking.

[KenC]

Awesome, thanks. I'm putting rubber ones back in bc my urethane ones squeak like a mofo.

[bzboardz]

i put them both in a vice and pressed them in half way. Then added a socket (1 1/4 if i remember correctly) to the back as a spacer then put it back in the vice

[Eurospec]

My IE bushings are squeaking like no other as well. Boy do I regret going with urethane bushings.

Time to swap 'em out. It's not gonna be fun :(

[Eurospec]

Turns out that using a teflon (ptfe) based lube will quite them down substantially. Look into the tri-flow, super lube, or BG brand. Bicycle shops or sporting good stores are a good place to source these.

Will report back with the results.

[NC325iC]

would be smart to add zerk fittings so you can grease them, but then again that might be a bit difficult.

[evil_twin]

if they could make channels for the grease to stay in Im sure it would quiet down better.

[hoveringuy]

would be smart to add zerk fittings so you can grease them, but then again that might be a bit difficult.

I did add zerk fittings, but it doesn't seem to help. Like the sqeak is coming from the external flange, not from the round part inside the arm.

I have the Powerflex bushings which supposedly don't squeak.

[jlevie]

I've yet to see a poly bushing that won't squeak unless the bushings are removed an lubed a couple of times a year. The only place I'll use poly on a car that is street driven, where the noise is objectionable, is for the subframe and differential bushings. I like solid offset CAB's and OR trailing arm bushings. A race car or track toy can run poly because the noise doesn't matter.

[nando]

I've had the same poly bushings for 8 years, they do not squeak. I've never taken them out to regrease them. I used whatever lube IE supplied when I bought them.

[KVF]

Not sure if you've done it yet, but I tried the eccentric tab and they are horrible. They end up moving from where you set them. After having my issues i fully searched and found many people having the same issue. I've heard the only way for true camber correction is the adjustable mounting tab method or doing your own cut and weld.

Thanks for mentioning the squeaking poly though... I was just about to install a set to replace my eccentric and now I may consider another option. I had the AKG ones ready to go, but I can't deal with squeaking.

[SimplyDope]

I have AKG poly all around and I only get squeaking on the passenger rear side. It seems a bit bouncier and less-planted than the driver-side rear. Should I check the RTABS? I don't mind squeaking really if the performance is there, but it just doesn't seem planted.