E36 compact beam bushes

[alfetta]

Is it possible to replace the 2 large vertical rear subframe bushes without removing  the entire frame?  failed the mot on these (£400 to fix - personally they don't seem that bad to me..) must be a cheaper solution. I've noticed some ebay tools for doing bushes in situ but not sure they're suitable for this

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

It is, but you CANNOT do it without the press/puller. 

 

How I do them, one side at a time without disconnecting brake lines;

 

Undo the lower damper bolt.

 

Take the coil spring out.

 

Remove the reinforcing plate - 2 sill bolts and the big nut on the sub mount bolt.

 

Jack up the trailing arm till it's as far up as it will go. This is to avoid straining the flexible brake hose.

 

Use a long bar to draw the beam down and use a big spanner (27 mm iirc) to unscrew the mounting bolt from the body. You may have to disconnect exhaust rubbers but I don't think I ever have.

 

Now it's a game of getting the beam down enough to remove the mounting bolt up and out.

 

Now use the puller to draw the old bush out. Fit the new one with WD40. Don't use washing up liquid as it never dries out and the bush can move. Use BMW ones and too many cheap ones - even with good names - are utter shit. A couple of hours per side is about right.

[twosmoke300]

There speaks a man that’s done a few