RTAB replacement

[mr ilia]

Hi,

I'm in the middle of replacing subframe bushings on my 1991 318i and was thinking to replace the RTAB with the new oem pieces.

I know it is quite easy to do with the full subframe off the car, but...

Right now my subframe is dropped by 2-3 inches and still attached by the drive shaft and brake lines.
Is it even possible to change the RTAB now with subframe still attached but dropped?

Has anyone done it this way with the brake lines and e-cable attached?

[Vivek]

Yes, but idk how you're gonna change the subframe bushings without pulling it out. Just unbolt the trailing arms and you can easily change those bushings, but you'll have a hard time on the subframe ones. I'd just pull the whole thing.

[mr ilia]

I dont want to mess with the brake lines and want to leave them attached and hand br cables...
Can I still do this?

[Holland]

I dont want to mess with the brake lines and want to leave them attached and hand br cables...
Can I still do this?

You're going to need to pull the subframe in order to either press, or torch the old bushings out.

[drumad]

I'm pretty sure he can still replace the bushings, especially if he has the right tools.

It's just a PITA.

[Vivek]

I'm pretty sure he can still replace the bushings, especially if he has the right tools.

It's just a PITA.

How? They need to be pressed or torched out. Pullers don't work well and there's not enough space. And I suppose he could hold a propane torch under his gas tank for half an hour but....

[Vivek]

I dont want to mess with the brake lines and want to leave them attached and hand br cables...
Can I still do this?

Hand brake cables are a 10 min job. Undo the nuts on the ebrake directly and pull the full cables through. Bleeding your brakes takes another 10 min...

[mr ilia]

Hand brake cables are a 10 min job. Undo the nuts on the ebrake directly and pull the full cables through. Bleeding your brakes takes another 10 min...

Is there a diy for brake bleeding for e30?

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Burning the bushes out doesn't really work well (in my experience) a shop press will have all the old bushes out in 20 minutes once you have pulled the sub frame

[Northern]

Yes you can do this without disconnecting brake/ebrake lines. Its just a pain in the ass to lie under the car and drill/press out the old bushings. Definitely easier taking everything off.

[Vivek]

Is there a diy for brake bleeding for e30?

I'm sure you can find one. In a nutshell:
Open valve on passenger side rear caliper (farthest from the MC)
Pump brake pedal, make sure there's enough fluid in the reservoir
Stop when it's a clear stream with no bubbles

Repeat on driver's side.

[Roysneon]

I also replaced my subframe bushings with aftermarket ones wit the subframe/trailing arms still under the car. I used the method of cutting a slit in the outer sleeve of the stock bushing and using a chisel to cut through the rest, bushings eventually fell right out, but mine were torn to the point that the inner aluminum shaft was no longer attached to the outer sleeve by anything...

If you really don't want to touch the brakes just unbolt the trailing arms and pull the subframe out, supporting the trailing arms with milk crates or something once they are off the subframe. If you're doing the RTABS then you'll then have access to them as well as have the subframe out and be able to manhandle the bushings out of it.

[mr ilia]

I checked it out and just like Vivec mentioned, it would be best to disconnect parking and rear brakes lines to get it done...It will be way easier to access the bushings and mounting points. It is also good to lower the subframe while at it.

I think I will get AGK tool and get this done sometime later.

Thanks for the input.

[Cletonius]

How? They need to be pressed or torched out. Pullers don't work well and there's not enough space. And I suppose he could hold a propane torch under his gas tank for half an hour but....

I used the c-clamp from a ball joint pressing kit to push my trailing arm bushings out. Having the end of the clamp be a ring allows the bushing to run right through. Used a 1" drive air impact, pressed those bad boys out in ~15 seconds each.

[isamemon]

the brake hoses from body to subframe are how old??? and only 20 bucks to replace em and super easy to do if the subframe is out, just cut the old ones and let the subframe drop, then acess is real easy to replace them at the body connection.

as far as subframe bushings...with subframe in car ...check this link... I made this tool and it worked great

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1389953