trailing arm bushes

[30csl]

Hi guys,

What do people think about changing these bushes - I was once told by a UK Bmw specialist - well respected - that they weren't worth changing. Hard to believe and would like to hear from anyone here who has done so.

Many thanks,

Rohan

 

[bmwmadman]

I changed mine last year. Did so because I upgraded from drum to disc and decided to make the arms look nice with new paint. I didn't notice a a difference other than knowing I won't be messing with them for years to come.

 

[30csl]

Thanks for that, guess like that I will get peace of mind from changing them anyway. You would think they would be pretty key to the feel of the car.

 

[corsachili]

This is another "un-fun" job on an E9. You can press them out if you have the right kind of setup, but they are sometimes stubborn and require some man-handling. I did them on my CS and hated every greasy bloody moment of it. I did the job with the trailing arms in situ though, so if you've already got that thing out of the car your job will be much easier. When I did the CSL I thought about the job for about 10 seconds before deciding to leave it for another day. That day has het to arrive.

-tj

 

[30csl]

Yeah the subframe is out so might as well get them done.
Wouldn't fancy doing it in situ much!

 

[corsachili]

Exactly. It SUCKS! :o

 

[pmansson]

I had them changed, in situ, at a nearby local garage last year.
I remember that he "burned" the rubber with a well directed flame, then "pushed" out the metal tube with a good portion of the rubber left.
He then cleaned, greased and inserted the new ones.
As stated before: nice to know that they are new. One less item on the "To do" list......

 

[shanon]

Yep, a messy PITA.
I used a well directed torch, took a few minutes for the rubber to heat, expand, then they just POP out. Literally. Cleaned up the mess and put in some eurathane jobs.

Worth the hassle I think if you have it all apart.
-shanon

 

[30csl]

Hi Shanon, where did you get the urethane bushes - that way it may be off the to do list for a long time!

Regards,

Rohan

 

[shanon]

I think it was Ireland Engineering if I recall correctly.

-shanon

 

[coupeguy]

I believe Carl Nelson has the urethane rear bushings. I removed my old ones by drilling the rubber out around the metal core, no heat to affect the paint if you are doing an undercarriage resto, but defintely do it with the swing arms out of the car.

 

[30csl]

I will definitely change them - might just go with stock new rubber ones as they will last a long time and might make less noise etc?
I emailed Carl today to see if he has them.

Thanks for the help Guys.

 

[gazzol]

Jaymic stock poly bushes, once you've got the old ones out (PITA) the urethane ones are quite easy. I'm not sure if I'm thinking of the right bushes here but I'm sure the urethane ones come in two parts just pop in one half at a time and then push the metal tube through.

 

[30csl]

Yeah thats the way they look. I have decided to go with the original bushings.

Hows the car Gary?
Regards,

Rohan

 

[dang]

Do they come out easier by burning them? I've always had good luck doing it that way, but I've never tried it on a coupe.

Dan

 

[2275xxx]

Rohan,

Is this for the Bat ?
If yes, do not hesitate, change them of course.

If you are ready to pay the high price, and you accept a departure from originality, then check the rear trailing arm bushes from K-Mac:

http://www.k-mac.com.au/Kmac_catalog.pdf

I use them on the Heidegger-CSL.
They are cleverly engineered and allow you to setup the rear camber and toe easily and precisely.
Plus they come with an extractor for the old bushes.

Marc

 

[30csl]

Hi Marc,

Yes for the Bat, I will change them but will stick with the normal rubber i think. I see W and N have an eccentric version too though so may go for that.

Trying to decide which springs to use now - the progressive CSl ones i guess?

Regards,

Rohan

 

[jan]

bushings

i have installed some urethane bushes on some other cars , and if u dont lubricate them before , and on regular bassis they become noisy, is this a issue on the CS to?

 

[2275xxx]

The W&N excentric bushes are actually BMW parts.
They not easy to use. I bought them and never used them.

As for noises from the K-Mac bushes I could not tell.
The car has a 6-point bolted cage and stiffer suspension.
It is squeaking and creaking from everywhere.