Broken subframe bushing shaft - what now?

[gokaht]

I'm working on a clean, fairly rust free 90 325i, changing subframe bushings, trailing arm bushings, and wheel bearings. I've dropped 8+ subframes in these cars, and not once have I run into a problem. Murphy's law came around and bit me on this one - the subframe bushing shafts are both broken inside the body.

How do I get these out? I want to avoid having to tow it to my dealership on a body dolly to use air tools or something to get it out, but I'm at a loss as to what my other options might be.

Thoughts? :)

[2002maniac]

hammer and chisel. good luck. those things are a bitch

[ak96ss]

+1, or you could try a cutoff wheel on a Dremel. That's what I did, notched the part that was stuck in there and then used the hammer and chisel to collapse it in on itself. And use antisieze on the new bushing tip!

[gokaht]

If all else fails...

...find a body dolly and trailer it to a well lit shop with a lift, air tools, and a clean big area to work in.

Car out of my garage, on the body dolly:






Finally got it in the air and shed some new light on the situation. The solution: use a holesaw bit about the size of the shaft, start drilling and approximately 15 seconds per side have the remnants out.

Here's what's left of the cursed bushing shafts:


Once those were out, it was smooth sailing:





And here's where I got to...


To add - SS lines, brake rotor backing plates, springs, etc. This will be a nice ride when it's all cleaned up! ;)

[Axxe]

Small drill bit, drill halfway around, then put a centerpunch in the holes, and give them a few wacks, the alu ring will fly apart. Works for me everytime.

[FL318is]

Snap On cutsall. Three "cuts" and they tap out with a chiesel. Did it but can not find pics.

[gokaht]

More pics of the project:

Backing plates were trashed, luckily I had new ones for my own car, so I used them on his:


Driver's side together again, less brakes:


Closeups of the AKG bushings - fit like a glove, I won't even bother trying another company!



Passenger side - I stupidly put the hub in before installing the backing plate, so I have to press the bearing and hub out and install it before pressing it all back in:


The fuel tank damage...stupid tow truck!


Wheels back on, ready to roll out of the shop so it's out of the way for Monday:





rear passenger wheel now pointing in the right direction :)


A few gratuitous shots of my ride, rocking the nasty snow tires :)




Brake lines, brakes and diff, replace the fuel tank and this car is done! New on the car:
AKG Subframe bushings, AKG Trailing arm bushings - urethane
Eurostop SS brake lines (with clear coating for protection)
New rear hard lines that trace the trailing arm
New rear F.A.G. wheel hubs, new snap rings, new backing plates, new axle lock nuts
Sandblasted, primed and rustoleum painted subframe and trailing arms

Can't wait to see this car done...it keeps giving me problem after problem lol.

[FredK]

dude, those basketweaves look GOOD on the MCS!

[gokaht]

dude, those basketweaves look GOOD on the MCS!

Thanks :) What's weirder is that they bolt right on - they're off an iX so the offset is about the same - no spacers, no centering rings (the center bore for an MCS is 56.1 I believe, 1 mm isn't really worth getting a ring for) so they make a great cheap winter wheel. I have the stock S-lites for the summer - need new tires after two track days and two autocrosses though, the GY runflats are TRASHED after them!

[FredK]

Haha, I didn't notice they were the 15" ix wheels.

Did you buy the rear subframe from Mike?

[gokaht]

Haha, I didn't notice they were the 15" ix wheels.

Did you buy the rear subframe from Mike?

Nope - this came off an 86 es I had kicking around, had it sandblasted, etch primed then rattle canned it with Rustoleum paint.

I have to drop the subframe now, as I forgot to change the interior brake lines to SS - stupid. Oh well, it's easy in and out now lol.

Also, now that the car has had time to settle, it's REALLY low - as in the rear springs don't seem to be doing their job at all - the tires are rubbing like crazy! Anyone know why this is happening?

[SchnellerVert]

What GM shop is that? Looks like a nice car, looks familar was it a formerly owned by a R3V memeber?

[KevRC4130]

Yep it's my car. Scotty is helping me out because he had the time/skills/parts/equipment available to get the job done quick. I have none of the above right now, busy with other things more important than the car (yes, I said it!). And with the E30 being my only car, I had to get it fixed ASAP. Unfortunately, we seem to be running into problem after problem. In any case, props to Scott for helping me out with my car (though it may be his in the not too distant future...:) ).

It's looking good Scott, thanks again!

[UNHCLL]

Hey Scott,

Want to refund my money for the parts I never got? Or refund me for MY time I wasted driving down to your shit hole "garage" to pull my own parts you never did?

You're a fucking sleazebag.... How many people did you screw over on how many occasions?

What was the real reason? Drugs? Depression? Simply fleecing internet people? Get the fuck out of here...

Here is your "feedback" thread...
It's like a soap opera... starts out decent, then spirals into the toilette as the plot thickens and you fuck more people over...

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=55991&highlight=Beemerfanatik&page=4

[UNHCLL]

I see you're active on the forum... care to respond or will you hide like the scam artist you are?

I'll even bump this to the top to help you see it.