rear trailarm replacement

[Mr. Burns]

just about to do this.

only reason i'm replacing 1, is due to me breaking a bolt in my trailarm, and damaging the thread when trying to extrack the broken bolt.

I have a used trailarm at my disposal now.

whats needed for the swap?
bushings? (re-use old ones?)
bearing?

what typically breaks/seizes or causes issues during removal/re-install, or is it fairly straighforward?

[jlevie]

You will need new bushings if you are using OE bushings. Check the bearing in the replacement and change it if there is the least bit of roughness. With the arm out of the car changing the bearing would be a quick job at a shop. Changing a trailing arm is pretty straight forward. Once the half shaft is out replace the boots and re-pack with grease if there cracks in the boots, You will need a new axle nut and lock ring.

[SkiFree]

I'd highly suggest that you purchase a repair manual of some sort.


Here's a decent walk through for the entire subframe, I did not write it but it looks to be fairly accurate.

http://e30world.com/suspension/BMW-E30-Rear-Subframe-Bushings-Replacement

[LJ851]

Have you thought about thread repair with a timesert or helicoil instead of replacing the whole arm?

If you are going to replace trailing arm bushes you should do both sides or you will have a strange handling car.

[Mr. Burns]

I'd highly suggest that you purchase a repair manual of some sort.


Here's a decent walk through for the entire subframe, I did not write it but it looks to be fairly accurate.
http://e30world.com/suspension/BMW-E...gs-Replacement

I own a Bentley manual, and the write up is quite vague really.

thanks for the link-

[Mr. Burns]

Have you thought about thread repair with a timesert or helicoil instead of replacing the whole arm?

If you are going to replace trailing arm bushes you should do both sides or you will have a strange handling car.

no..I haven't.

I'd like more information on this, as it's the only reason i'm replacing the whole arm.

is it doable with the trailarm bolt hole?
would I not have to upsize the bolt?

edit- just read up on timeserts....definately looks much easier/doable instead of taking it all apart.

[LJ851]

no..I haven't.

I'd like more information on this, as it's the only reason i'm replacing the whole arm.

is it doable with the trailarm bolt hole?
would I not have to upsize the bolt?

edit- just read up on timeserts....definately looks much easier/doable instead of taking it all apart.

Which bolt hole is it? The repaired hole is original bolt size.

The timesert has a larger OD than a helicoil and is also stronger.

[Mr. Burns]

Which bolt hole is it? The repaired hole is original bolt size.

The timesert has a larger OD than a helicoil and is also stronger.

the bolt hole where the bottom portion of the shock is mounted to the lower trailarm

[jlevie]

It is not too difficult to install a Timesert or Helicoil to fix stripped shock bolt threads. Since this is a blind hole you could use either, though a Timesert is a better repair.