E85 Rear axle jobs.

[RMB]

I’ll soon be sorting my upgraded rear si spec discs, calipers and carriers plus new bearings and back plates.
I was just wondering if it’s worth me doing anything else whilst the rear arms are pretty stripped to save labour in future.
I was wondering about RTABs for starters
2006 car on 71k miles
Thanks

 

[B21]

RTABS seem to be pretty average at best on E46/E85/E89 so probably a good idea..many upgraded offerings !

 

[RMB]

Thanks @B21 yes I was thinking of lemforder bushes or whatever is OE.
I’m not fussed about polly bushes etc, it's for road use only.
Ideally I would have liked to refurb the whole arms et al but looks like a major project.

 

[B21]

Thanks @B21 yes I was thinking of lemforder bushes or whatever is OE.
I’m not fussed about polly bushes etc, it's for road use only.
Ideally I would have liked to refurb the whole arms et al but looks like a major project.

It looks daunting but its not that bad..the knuckle rubbers on the ends of the links are a weak point..Meyle HD do some nice RTABs..poly bushes are IMHO pretty naff..not really a road car bearing /bush..

 

[Spriteracer]

Agreed on the bushes. I have subframe, rtab and diff bushes all from Powerflex and the NVH is awful. I have been stockpiling oem type rubber to replace them all sometime this winter. Ok on a track car probably but too much for me for road use.

 

[TriggerFish]

If you're removing the drive shaft from the hub (not sure if this is needed for a rear wheel bearing), then:

- CV boots?
- Diff output shaft seals?
- ABS reluctor ring condition? (Or more specifically, the metal underneath it - as they can go rusty and deform the rings)

 

[B21]

Agreed on the bushes. I have subframe, rtab and diff bushes all from Powerflex and the NVH is awful. I have been stockpiling oem type rubber to replace them all sometime this winter. Ok on a track car probably but too much for me for road use.

Interesting to hear your take on poly bushes..FWIW I went with the Hardrace rubber versions that are much stronger / stiffer but no change in NVH..

 

[RMB]

If you're removing the drive shaft from the hub (not sure if this is needed for a rear wheel bearing), then:

- CV boots?
- Diff output shaft seals?
- ABS reluctor ring condition? (Or more specifically, the metal underneath it - as they can go rusty and deform the rings)

Thanks Triggerfish I’ll check out those bits too.

 

[Spriteracer]

Interesting to hear your take on poly bushes..FWIW I went with the Hardrace rubber versions that are much stronger / stiffer but no change in NVH..

Thanks for the info. Hardrace is not a name I've come across. Too late for the E86 as I have most of the bits already, however I do have an E46 330i coupe to do as well....

 

[B21]

Thanks for the info. Hardrace is not a name I've come across. Too late for the E86 as I have most of the bits already, however I do have an E46 330i coupe to do as well....

They do lots of high end suspension bushes, linkages etc for wide range of cars...not cheap but arguably amongst the best..

REAR TRAILING ARM BUSH

7260 E36 E46 Z3 R TRAILING ARM BUSH RUB 2PCS

www.hardrace.co.uk

 

[plenty]

I've got poly RTAB bushes and NVH is fine imo - I chose them as they're a lot to easier to fit than rubber, as they push in by hand and require no preloading or limiters.

Might as well do the axle carrier bushes while you're in there, and consider upgrading to bearings as fitted to the Z4M.

 

[RMB]

I think I may just replace the handbrake shoes and fitting kit too. Circa £200 from bmw or around £35 for ATE from AUTODOC.
Although it looks like OE bmw are jurid looking at the part image on eBay.

BMW Genuine Brake Shoe Repair Kit Fits E46 E81 E82 E85 E86 E87 34416761291 | eBay UK

34416761291 1 Series E81 3 doors 116d N47 UK51 2008-11 2010-02 ECE. 34416761291 1 Series E81 3 doors 116d N47 UK52 2008-11 2010-02 ECE. 34416761291 1 Series E81 3 doors 116i 1.6 N43 UB71 - - ECE. 34416761291 1 Series E81 3 doors 116i 1.6 N43 UB72 - - ECE.

ebay.us

 

[Mr Tidy]

I have Powerflex poly bush RTABs on my car too and haven't noticed any difference in NVH.

Ross at RBM recommended (and fitted) them, although on a road car he doesn't recommend them anywhere else!

 

[Spriteracer]

I think the main issue is the subframe and diff bushes which were fitted by the Indy I used shortly after I got the car and they couldn't get oem ones at short notice. The original bushes, anti roll bar etc were all in a very poor state. The Rtabs, Z4M upper ball joints and powerflex rose jointed tie bars were fitted later. I fitted the tiebars because the originals were quite corroded. Can't say I noticed much difference other than more adjustment range of the rear camber.