powerflex install issues

[monty23psk]

Hey guys,

For those that installed the powerflex trailing arm bushings or any other urethane 3 piece set, how did you get the metal rod to slid in with out pushing one of the other ends out? I am using the threaded rod, washers and nut as my press. Is this not going to work? I go the old ones out and never get the new ones lined up.

thanks for any input.
__________________
Alex in s. fl.
88 m5
91 318is

[monty23psk]

well tried all day today and nothing. Looks like at the metal rod slides it, it squeezes the urethane back out that same way the rod is going in. Looks to be to tight of a fit. The part number is correct. Reading everywhere, it says they just slide in. I know on my e28 a few years back it was just that easy. So not sure. At this point I will have to remove the arm completely to see if a machine shop can do it.



This is such a pain. Hope someone has a tip for this. I have sanded the inside of the bore to smooth it out.


Has someone experience this with their powerflex bushings?



thanks.

[atomic]

Me and some friends just did this to mine yesterday. Had no issues what so ever and used the powerflex bushing as well, but we had the trailing arms off of the car as well. Also had the sub frame off so we could replace those bushings and went ahead and did the diff bushing while we were at it.

Not really sure what to tell you other than it may be easier with the trailing arms off the car.

[tonytony]

i did my trailing arms a few days ago while it being off the subframe and the rod does squeeze out some of the bushing also, i haven't put it back in yet though so this might be a problem for me

[monty23psk]

well I will be removing them tomorrow and try again. If not, will take it to a shop to use a press. hope that works.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

[atomic]

I think we used a huge pair of channel locks. We put both sides of the bushings in (make sure they are in correct, the bushings have a large flange and small flange per bushing and the large side goes on the outside of each bushing). Then started the metal sleeve by hand then clamped down on both sides and pushed the sleeve into the trailing arm new bushings. Fairly easy to do.

[rs4pro3]

make sure you have all the old bearing material removed, and clean the bore inside the trailing arm where the bushing goes

[monty23psk]

well took the arm to a bmw local shop and then used a hydraulic press to get them in. Paid for it to get done but at least they are in. Now need to mount them back on.

[Jonsku]

I had to grind the hole a bit to make the surface rough, otherwise the bushings wouldn't stay in (my trailing arms were powder-coated).

Anyways, it's not as easy job one would imagine..

[Bavarian3]

Depending on which versions you got, even the 'hardest' PF bushings were soft enough to bust out with the metal sleeve.

The best way is to clean the inside, and press them in.