E46 diff & subframe bushes

[SymJack]

A follow up to my mysterious vibration. I found a failed bush on the diff and a suspect one on the subframe. Has anyone got an idea of the cost to replace all diff and subframe bushes please.
Hopefully this is the cause of my problems.

[d_a_n1979]

A decent indy will have it done in a good few hours

It's how corroded they are and how easily they come out; but lathering them with WD40 a good week before and every other day after that will help, a LOT

I'd budget for 4-5 hours at least and any less is a bonus

Get Lemforder ones if you can; Meyle HD for the subframe bushes are good, but they're solid, whereas Lemforder or OEM and fluid filled IIRC

Part numbers via RealOEM and get the parts via Autodoc (although their delivery times can be slow); so double check eBay UK too for the parts

OR; get OEM BMW from the likes of Cotswolds BMW with their forum discount etc

[SymJack]

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

[d_a_n1979]

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

[SymJack]

Looks like a specialist Indy job then. Thanks

[E-bmw]

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

[SymJack]

Did you do the subframe bushes as well?

[d_a_n1979]

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

[dhutch]

I'm chasing and unfindable vibration, at around 40mph, when under heavy acceleration, is that at all similar to what you have been having?

[E-bmw]

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

Yes.

Used a drill to drill a 10mm hole through the very edge of the bush, pulled it out & jacked the replacements in using a big socket as drift.

[d_a_n1979]

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

Yes.

Used a drill to drill a 10mm hole through the very edge of the bush, pulled it out & jacked the replacements in using a big socket as drift.

Aye ok; not exactly a kosher way of doing, more so if you're not spanner savvy!

It makes a lot of sense to use the proper tool

But each to their own

[E-bmw]

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

Yes.

Used a drill to drill a 10mm hole through the very edge of the bush, pulled it out & jacked the replacements in using a big socket as drift.

Aye ok; not exactly a kosher way of doing, more so if you're not spanner savvy!

It makes a lot of sense to use the proper tool

But each to their own

It is a significantly easier way of doing it as it saves a huge amount of dismantling and the same bushes end up in the same position on the car with less chance of collateral damage, so I don't know why you feel the need to add your comments on the method.

[SymJack]

dhutch said:

I'm chasing and unfindable vibration, at around 40mph, when under heavy acceleration, is that at all similar to what you have been having?

Mine is vibrating on light throttle at cruising speed, sometimes I get a noise when accelerating harder. If I apply light throttle at lower speeds I get a light drumming noise with a very slight vibration.

[d_a_n1979]

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

Yes.

Used a drill to drill a 10mm hole through the very edge of the bush, pulled it out & jacked the replacements in using a big socket as drift.

Aye ok; not exactly a kosher way of doing, more so if you're not spanner savvy!

It makes a lot of sense to use the proper tool

But each to their own

It is a significantly easier way of doing it as it saves a huge amount of dismantling and the same bushes end up in the same position on the car with less chance of collateral damage, so I don't know why you feel the need to add your comments on the method.

Get off your high horse petal...

Everyone has their own opinions and own ways of doing things.

Trying to help someone who isn't spanner savvy by offering the correct method of doing things like this makes it easier to understand.

If they want to go down a different route, use an indy etc is down to them.

But having someone like you on their soap box crying that it's your way or the high way helps no one...

So that's why I've commented on it, to help the OP try and get the issues resolved.

I'd say someone like you whining like an old washer women helps less...

Edited by d_a_n1979 on Tuesday 9th May 21:07

[Caddyshack]

Using a suitable socket to drive in a bush is pretty standard home mechanic stuff…plus a lot of Indy’s will do it.

If you are marque and age specific as an Indy then I would expect them to have the exact tool though.


Having an alternative option / method is great and no need to have an arguement about it.

[d_a_n1979]

Caddyshack said:

Using a suitable socket to drive in a bush is pretty standard home mechanic stuff…plus a lot of Indy’s will do it.

If you are marque and age specific as an Indy then I would expect them to have the exact tool though.


Having an alternative option / method is great and no need to have an arguement about it.

Not arguing; just going against someone who says I can't comment... Simple as that

[E-bmw]

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

SymJack said:

Great thanks, I’ll give my local(ish) indy a call Tuesday.

Don't forget that a specific tool is needed for the subframe bushes; ask if they have one otherwise you'll need to source it

No it isn't, I did mine with a jack from underneath with the car on stands.

For the subframe bushes?

Yes.

Used a drill to drill a 10mm hole through the very edge of the bush, pulled it out & jacked the replacements in using a big socket as drift.

Aye ok; not exactly a kosher way of doing, more so if you're not spanner savvy!

It makes a lot of sense to use the proper tool

But each to their own

It is a significantly easier way of doing it as it saves a huge amount of dismantling and the same bushes end up in the same position on the car with less chance of collateral damage, so I don't know why you feel the need to add your comments on the method.

Get off your high horse petal...

Everyone has their own opinions and own ways of doing things.

Trying to help someone who isn't spanner savvy by offering the correct method of doing things like this makes it easier to understand.

If they want to go down a different route, use an indy etc is down to them.

100% agree, hence why I offered a different method to consider.

d_a_n1979 said:

But having someone like you on their soap box crying that it's your way or the high way helps no one...

I think you will find you are the one on your high horse saying it is your way or the highway. As soon as someone suggested another perfectly reasonable & much easier way of doing it without the specific tool you said was NEEDED you feel the need to climb on Tonto & belittle the alternative.

[E-bmw]

d_a_n1979 said:

Caddyshack said:

Using a suitable socket to drive in a bush is pretty standard home mechanic stuff…plus a lot of Indy’s will do it.

If you are marque and age specific as an Indy then I would expect them to have the exact tool though.


Having an alternative option / method is great and no need to have an arguement about it.

Not arguing; just going against someone who says I can't comment... Simple as that

Your words were "not exactly a kosher way of doing it", as has been commented above, it is actually a pretty well used method of fitting bushes if you don't have the exact expansive BMW tool.

[d_a_n1979]

E-bmw said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Caddyshack said:

Using a suitable socket to drive in a bush is pretty standard home mechanic stuff…plus a lot of Indy’s will do it.

If you are marque and age specific as an Indy then I would expect them to have the exact tool though.


Having an alternative option / method is great and no need to have an arguement about it.

Not arguing; just going against someone who says I can't comment... Simple as that

Your words were "not exactly a kosher way of doing it", as has been commented above, it is actually a pretty well used method of fitting bushes if you don't have the exact expansive BMW tool.

FFS stop going on about it... Its beyond boring now

You're right, I'm wrong, blah fecking blah

[dhutch]

Christ! Imagine if there where two ways of doing something, with or without a special tool.... Like that's not something you see all over the car world.