trailing arm bush tool

[Midhurstman]

For anyone interested in buying a tool to remove the trailing arm bushes and refit new, check out this listing on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-Z3-E36-E46-Rear-Axle-Trailing-Arm-Bush-Removal-and-Mounting-Tool-/201274205212?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3A3+Series&hash=item2edce0a41c

With the cost of most tools for this job at £100+, this one at £35 delivered looked interesting. the problem was that, although listed for 3 series and Z3, the text states the inside diameter of the cup as 62mm. The O/D of the Z4 bush is just under 65mm but is surely the same bush? An email to the supplier and he emailed back that he had measured the cup I/D and it is 67mm, so plenty of room for the old bush to be wound into! The chart on the listing shows the Z4 as not compatible but I believe this is not correct and the seller confirmed it will do the job.

Just received, not the finest of engineering but looks very chunky and should do the job. Time will tell.

 

[fixit man]

For anyone interested in buying a tool to remove the trailing arm bushes and refit new, check out this listing on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-Z3-E36-E46-Rear-Axle-Trailing-Arm-Bush-Removal-and-Mounting-Tool-/191463732882?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c9420b692.

With the cost of most tools for this job at £100+, this one at £35 delivered looked interesting. the problem was that, although listed for 3 series and Z3, the text states the inside diameter of the cup as 62mm. The O/D of the Z4 bush is just under 65mm but is surely the same bush? An email to the supplier and he emailed back that he had measured the cup I/D and it is 67mm, so plenty of room for the old bush to be wound into! The chart on the listing shows the Z4 as not compatible but I believe this is not correct and the seller confirmed it will do the job.

Just received, not the finest of engineering but looks very chunky and should do the job. Time will tell.

I've just bought the same one, I emailed him too about the dimensions and ordered after getting his reply, haven't got it yet but I'm sure it'll be fine !

 

[Midhurstman]

Just used it, worked perfectly.

Just a reminder to anyone contemplating the bush renewal, remember to push the new bush in from the side of the trailing arm housing (where you just pushed the old bush out from) with the tapered lead cut(chamfer) which allows the bush to start and self centre (will need a bit of lining up). This is usually the outside end of the housing, ie nearest the side of the car. Trying to start the bush from the non tapered side will lead to all sorts of grief. I found a video on you tube where a large jubilee clip was used to clamp the new bush closed thus making it start in the housing much easier. Once the bush was pushed in 8mm or so the jubilee clip(which was approx in the middle of the bush) was completely undone and removed. It seemed to work really well.