Front wishbone / lower arm bush

[Rufus59]

Hi all,

Got my front tyres changed over from run flats today to some eagle f1's, very happy with results. But whilst they were getting changed one of the tyre guys noticed excessive play in the wheel. Looking underneath it looks like the rear wishbone bush has gone.

When I've looked on real oem it looks like it sits in a bracket? When I looked, it looked like you could press it in/out of its casing?

Anyone had experience of changing this?

I think it's item 8 below

Cheers

 

[slick]

You want these sir .....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-Meyle-HD-Front-Wishbone-Control-Arm-Rear-Bushes-Mounts-Bush-Kit-/150818763667?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item231d7fb393

 

[Rufus59]

They don't look too bad, seen a few people recommend them on here. Was hoping to replace just the bush and press it out. Is this not possible? Can it be done with arm still assembled?

Also I've found two different sized bushes online, 60mm and 66...any advice? I could remove and measure but would like to order correct parts and get it done on the day

 

[slick]

You can do them without removing the arms .......I no longer have my old ones so I cant measure them , sorry , but the link I put up takes you to the correct ones for your car

Why would you want to put new bushes in the housings when they'er available as an assembly?

 

[cj10jeeper]

You can unbolt the lollipop and then hit, beat or cut it off the end of the wishbone. On the bench you can press out and refit new bushes into the lollipop and then knock the assembly onto the wishbone and bolt back to the car. Not difficult and have done it before but frankly I'd just buy pre assembled bush and lollipops off eBay.

I've just fitted Meyle HD and really pleased with the results.

 

[Rufus59]

The ones you posted on eBay look good, price is good too. For the sake of pressing the old ones out I think I'll get them.

I'm guessing the arm is very tight in them, it's just held in by friction though?

Tis shows the use of a puller, would a large hammer be a good substitute to get it off? Soapy water to put it back on?

Would have liked to have got it done this weekend but I doubt I'll find the bushes that cheap locally

 

[slick]

The ones you posted on eBay look good, price is good too. For the sake of pressing the old ones out I think I'll get them.

I'm guessing the arm is very tight in them, it's just held in by friction though?

Tis shows the use of a puller, would a large hammer be a good substitute to get it off? Soapy water to put it back on?

Would have liked to have got it done this weekend but I doubt I'll find the bushes that cheap locally

A puller would make life easier ..... but they knock off and the new ones knock back on easy enough with a hammer
It looks more daunting than it is

 

[Rufus59]

Just picked up a single meyle bush from bm bitz in canvey for £29, thanks for the help all

Im fairly handy with a hammer so hopefully won't be too difficult

Also for around £30 it's not worth pressing out old bush IMO, as it looks like you would need to align the bush in the bracket so that it accepted the wishbone at the right angle.

 

[slick]

Just picked up a single meyle bush from bm bitz in canvey for £29, thanks for the help all

Im fairly handy with a hammer so hopefully won't be too difficult

Also for around £30 it's not worth pressing out old bush IMO, as it looks like you would need to align the bush in the bracket so that it accepted the wishbone at the right angle.

BM Bitz? I cant be far from you , at least you have a nice day for working on the Z

 

[Rufus59]

Just had a look underneath, looks like access to bolts will be hard without dropping subframe. Also the subframe looks like it would get in the way of sliding/hammering them off?

 

[slick]

Just had a look underneath, looks like access to bolts will be hard without dropping subframe. Also the subframe looks like it would get in the way of sliding/hammering them off?

Crossmember ( part 3) easy to unbolt

 

[Rufus59]

It looked easy enough to unbolt, according to tis the bolts are one use (60NM +90°) but I think I'll just stick the old ones back and do them up FT

The drivers side had a bit of play too so am going to do that one at the same time. Found a nice water leak whilst I was underneath it, cracked expansion tank. Glad I'm a mechanic now lol

 

[slick]

It looked easy enough to unbolt, according to tis the bolts are one use (60NM +90°) but I think I'll just stick the old ones back and do them up FT

The drivers side had a bit of play too so am going to do that one at the same time. Found a nice water leak whilst I was underneath it, cracked expansion tank. Glad I'm a mechanic now lol

cracked expansion tanks are common as the miles creep up

 

[chris6]

Changed mine using a 3 legged hub puller rather than hammering them off I think that could potentially damage the other ball joints .Putting them back on the arms ,I smeared silicone grease inside bush to help fitting .Don't use washing up liquid .Apparently aggressive to rubber bushes .