Which Bushes do I Need?

P

peddy

Lifer
Hi All,

I need to change my bushes on my car and have decided to go with PowerFlex ones. I've found some on eBay and the listing states:

The Bushes you will receive are:

1) FRONT WISHBONE REAR BUSH X 2 *
2) FRONT ANTI ROLL BAR BUSH X 2 **
3) REAR TRAILING ARM BUSH X 2
4) REAR ANTI ROLL BAR BUSH X 2 ***


* AVAILABLE IN 60MM & 66MM - also available with Aluminium Outer - see our other listing
** AVAILABLE IN 24MM, 25MM & 27MM
*** AVAILABLE IN 18MM & 19MM

PLEASE CONFIRM WHICH SIZES YOU NEED WHEN YOU ORDER
Click to expand...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230488443678

Can someone please tell me which bushes I need to order? I have a 2004 E85 3.0i.

TIA :)
 
Depends on weather you are doing the front or the back of the car. I suspect you will be doing the front.
So you will need

1 ( so called lollipop bush ) these don't come in he aluminium housing so you will need to cut out the old ones and press in the powerflex ones. I found this a pain in the bum to do. I have also read that you will need new bolts that hold the lollipop bracket on.
2 I did these as well very easy to replace ( mine where knackered )
3 the arm that connects from the rear hub to the body of the car.
4 same as 2 but at the back.

Hope that helps :thumbsup:

I got criticised for say that they make the ride harsh. But I have found I notice road buzz and bad road surfaces since fitting them. But saying that I love the feel very sharp and fun too :driving:
 
You need the front wishbone bushings in 66mm, front stabilizer bushings in 24mm for normal suspension and 25mm for m sports suspension, and the rear stabilizer bushings in 18mm for normal suspension and 19mm for m sports suspension.

For the rear trailing arm bushings & front wishbone bushings (if you don't take the ones already fitted in the lollipops) you will need some sort of puller, or a small air grinder with a small grinding stone (remove the rubber and grind through the metal sleeve).
The front wishbone bushings might be difficult to get pressed into the lollipops if you dont have a workshop press. Maybe you can hammer them in, but it's not really the big pressing force that is required, but they're quite bouncy.

When you loosen the rear trailing arm, be sure to mark the holes/positions etc with a sharpie, otherwise you need to re-align the rear suspension.

If you want more suspension bushings refitted into polyurethane, strongflex has a bunch for the rear suspension (upper/lower suspension arms) that are unavailable at powerflex.
In total you can replace 23 bushings/ball joints on the suspension/driveline(incl. diff/subframe) not counting the ones that are press fitted in the front wishbones (only replaceable when you have meyle arms)
 
GuidoK said:
You need the front wishbone bushings in 66mm, front stabilizer bushings in 24mm for normal suspension and 25mm for m sports suspension, and the rear stabilizer bushings in 18mm for normal suspension and 19mm for m sports suspension.

For the rear trailing arm bushings & front wishbone bushings (if you don't take the ones already fitted in the lollipops) you will need some sort of puller, or a small air grinder with a small grinding stone (remove the rubber and grind through the metal sleeve).
The front wishbone bushings might be difficult to get pressed into the lollipops if you dont have a workshop press. Maybe you can hammer them in, but it's not really the big pressing force that is required, but they're quite bouncy.

When you loosen the rear trailing arm, be sure to mark the holes/positions etc with a sharpie, otherwise you need to re-align the rear suspension.

If you want more suspension bushings refitted into polyurethane, strongflex has a bunch for the rear suspension (upper/lower suspension arms) that are unavailable at powerflex.
In total you can replace 23 bushings/ball joints on the suspension/driveline(incl. diff/subframe) not counting the ones that are press fitted in the front wishbones (only replaceable when you have meyle arms)
Click to expand...

Good info. You should do a "how to"! :thumbsup:
 
Hey
I have the lollipops in my garage, just need the old rubber pressed out then you can press your polly bushes into them

Just makes it a bit easier and less stressful than doing once oyu have taken your old ones off

You can have them for the cost of postage

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
 
Peedy if you get stuck getting the new bushes in i have a press you can use. Or if you like post them and i will have a go and post back to you.
 
peddy said:
Thanks for the info guys. :thumbsup:
Do you guys think there's much point in changing the rears?
Click to expand...

Hi Peddy, I have changed to power flex poly bushes & other things, here is my synopsis FYI
- lollipops = massive difference (remember to get your alignment checked afterwards)
- front ARB bushes = a bit of difference
- rear ARB bushes = didn't notice anything
- rear suspension trailing arm = no difference in normal driving! a bit of difference making progress & expensive to get done by someone else
- front & rear HD drop links = big difference
- front tie rod steering ends = big difference
- rear Bilstein B6 shocks = made ride very composed & cornering far more controlled. If the front weren't so expensive would have had them done as well

Hope it helps

Jembo
 
RTAB bushes are an absolute bitch of a job, be warned.

If you want a hand with anything Peddy, and I'm free, I'm will to help out.
 
Sorry for the confusion... I'm not planning to do them myself, but giving it to a mechanic :)
He's asking for £150 - is that a good price?

Jembo, which ones did you get for the following:

- front & rear HD drop links
- front tie rod steering ends

I wasn't planning to change these, but just the bushes for them, which is why I was wondering if there is any point in changing them if i'm keeping the standard ones.
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151083683051?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Go for this make of whatever bushes you need...then pay the labor supplying your own. These are supposed to be the best aftermarket make with out paying full whack at the dealers.
 
Thanks... Should I be changing the other 2 bits at the same time? i.e. the drop links and toe rod steering ends?

EDIT: Looking at the price of Meyle ones I might as well change them in one go. Can someone confirm these are the right parts please?

STEERING TRACK ROD - £32:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-Convertible-E46-318-Ci-STABILISER-DROP-BAR-LINK-LINKS-HEAVY-DUTY-/171106350106?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Cars+Year%3A2004|Car+Make%3ABMW|Cars+Type%3A3.0i|Model%3AZ4&hash=item27d6bbb41a

DROP BAR LINK - £39:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E46-FRONT-OUTER-STEERING-TRACK-ROD-LEFT-RIGHT-TIE-ROD-ENDS-MEYLE-/161151013185?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Cars+Year%3A2004|Car+Make%3ABMW|Cars+Type%3A3.0i|Model%3AZ4&hash=item2585595141

I can't seem to find the rear drop bar links. :(
 
RJS-Z4 said:
RTAB bushes are an absolute bitch of a job, be warned.
Click to expand...

When I did my bushings (all the bushings on the rear axle/subframe/diff), I used a universal bushing removal set I bought for 100gbp or so (and some sockets/rings on thight spots), and I was done in about 3,5 to 4 hours with all bushings (incl subframe)(1 evenings work). So that was about 15min per bushing. Popped them out one by one, no big deal. (I only used some ample heat on the subframe bushings, just to warm them up to let them slide better, no melting)
So a tool like that is very valuable on a job like this.
I took the whole axle from the car.
Painting/rust proofing/glass beading etc all the suspension arms/frame/diff+cover was a lot more work ;)
 
I went with these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170934367719?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 as the power flex has had mixed reviews, getting them fitted next week. just need to source some ARB bushes now
 
peddy said:
Sorry for the confusion... I'm not planning to do them myself, but giving it to a mechanic :)
He's asking for £150 - is that a good price?

Jembo, which ones did you get for the following:

- front & rear HD drop links
- front tie rod steering ends

I wasn't planning to change these, but just the bushes for them, which is why I was wondering if there is any point in changing them if i'm keeping the standard ones.
Click to expand...

PM'd per yr msg, Jembo
 
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