Help with bushes

J

Jeverson28

Member
 Somerset
Hi guys.

When I bought my car last year I had an inspection done by a BMW specialist so I knew what all the issues were on it. I've sorted most of them out but just got suspension and bushes left. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on which bushes these are, and any recommendations on make/model for replacements. I plan to replace the suspension with Bilstein B4/Eibach Pro Kit and this will be my daily car if that makes any difference.

  • Rear trailing arm bush
  • Front Control Arm Rear Bushes
  • Rear Lower (Camber) Arm Outer Bushes

I've attached a picture from powerflex which seems helpful, but honestly I don't know which numbers I should be looking for... :?

Cheers!
 

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    Powerflex bushes.jpeg
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Rear Trailing Arm - #3 - I would go Powerflex, but it's a divisive subject

Front Control Arm - #1 - I would go Powerflex. I'd also think about upgrading to the Z4M ones as well.

Last one - I think you mean #18 - I wouldn't go powerflex, I'd go for an OE style ball joint - I used the Meyle ones as they are £13.
The bottom one is a rubber bush from the factory, but you can use the same ball joint design in the upper in the lower, and the Z4M/M3 did this from the factory.

EDIT - If you look through the thread in my signature you'll see I've done all of those with pictures, too.
 
I fitted poly rear trailing arm bushes and took them out again after a few weeks. It made a big difference to the handling but I couldn’t handle the squeaking. Maybe more lube would have worked, but I just went back to quiet standard ones.
 
I've just been looking into the Meyle HD bushes and I can't seem to find the bushes for #1 with a 60mm diameter anywhere. Where do you normally buy your car parts?
 
After some more searching I've found a few places that sell them. It looks like the front control arm bushes I need have a 66mm diameter, but the Meyle ones are only 60mm. If I go Meyle then I'm guessing I'll need new control arms too? In that case I might just go Powerflex for those and Meyle for the RTAB and the rear control arm lower outer bush

EDIT: Ignore this - I got very confused. The Meyle HD bushes are in fact 66mm in diameter
 
Cheers saj77! I don't suppose you happen to know the part numbers of the other two bushes too? I think 300 333 2104 is for the RTAB, but I might be confusing it with the rear lower arm outer bush
 
Jeverson28 said:
Cheers saj77! I don't suppose you happen to know the part numbers of the other two bushes too? I think 300 333 2104 is for the RTAB, but I might be confusing it with the rear lower arm outer bush
Click to expand...

You are correct with that RTAB part number :thumbsup:

I fitted both those Meyle bushes (front ‘lollipops’ and RTAB) to my car and cannot fault them.

I never replaced bush #18.
 
I changed the drop links too on my car (2008 3.0Si) when I changed to Eibachs and B4’s.

For info -
F0B436C9-16CA-43B3-9626-1FE9A72C5C39.png
 
Also regarding the suspension - if you are replacing the top mounts, it’s mentioned to use Lemforder REAR as Meyle rear ones have been known to make a knocking noise.

I fitted Meyle Front and Lemforder Rears.
 
Cheers for the advice. I think I'll fit the drop links at the same time then and change the top mounts while I'm at it. This is going to be an expensive job!
 
Both the drop links and the top mounts tend to knock or make some kind of mechanical noise when they fail. The other bushes mentioned can just result in wayward handling so much less distinct. It's your choice but I would be tempted to replace the drop links and top mounts as and when they fail rather than as a preventative measure (unless you are changing the shocks / springs anyway). Not so the RTAB and front lollipops which I would definitely do at 60k miles / 10 years or so.
 
Thanks for the advice. Makes sense for me to replace the drop links and top mounts at the same time then since I'm hoping to get this all done in one go. RTAB and lollipops are very much in need of replacing then at 103k miles / 17 years old!
 
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