Z4 E85 Trailing arm bushing tool, subframe bushing tool, differential bushing tool

[fanchazstic]

Hey all, I just replaced almost every bushing in the rear of my car with new ones and had a hard time finding information about the tools required to remove and install the bushings without using a torch. I wanted to document what I learned so that hopefully someone else in the future looking for this can find it a bit easier. There are multiple model names and sites selling these tools, but they all appear to be relabeled HCB tools. I purchased from KTC Autotools and I would highly recommend them, they were great to work with, but I actually received some tools with different brand label on them. I guess they all come from the same warehouse.

Trailing arm bushing tool (read below the links for more info!): BMW2074 / H.C.B-A1087 / BMC1087
https://shop.ktcautotools.com/products/master-trailing-arm-bushing-tool-set-for-bmw-e36-e46
http://www.hcb-autotools.com/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,10/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,137/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/vmcchk,1/
https://www.germanspecialtytools.com/collections/bmw-tools/products/bmw-e36-e46-master-trailing-arm-bushing-tool-set?variant=6151468995

Subframe bushings (front and rear of rear subframe): BMW2088 / H.C.B-A1158 / BMA1158
https://shop.ktcautotools.com/products/rear-suspension-subframe-bushing-tool-set
http://www.hcb-autotools.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/category_id,10/product_id,145/Itemid,27/
https://www.germanspecialtytools.com/products/bmw-rear-suspension-subframe-bushing-tool-set-e46-3-series-and-e85-z4?variant=6151216899

Rear diff to subframe: BMW2081 / H.C.B-A1153 / BMA1153
https://shop.ktcautotools.com/products/bmw-e46-e85-rear-suspension-differential-bush-extractor-installer
http://www.hcb-autotools.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/category_id,10/product_id,143/Itemid,27/
https://www.germanspecialtytools.com/products/bmw-rear-differential-mount-bushing-tool-for-e46-e85

Front diff to subframe: BMW2080 / H.C.B-A1132 / BMA1132
https://shop.ktcautotools.com/products/bmw-e46-e85-rear-subframe-differential-bushing-tool-set
http://www.hcb-autotools.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/category_id,10/product_id,130/Itemid,27/
https://www.germanspecialtytools.com/products/bmw-front-differential-mount-bushing-tool-for-e46-e85?variant=6147772227

The trailing arm bushing tool doesn't claim that it works with the E85 (except the HCB site) but I gave it a shot anyway because my understanding was that the trailing arm on the Z4 was nearly identical to the E46. The tool DID work, but I had to bend the brake dust shield out of the way for the tool to fit. It's easy enough to bend out of the way and then bend back when you're done.

The other tools worked perfectly for removal and I didn't have to torch any of my subframe or trailing arm to get them out. I only used the trailing arm tool to press in a new Turner monoball RTAB, and press the new ball joints in for the upper and lower control arms. The rest of the bushings I replaced with poly and didn't have to press in. To get all the bushings out and all new bushings in (13 in total) took about 2 hours. The only bushings I didn't replace were the upper inner control arm bushings, I was running low on time and didn't have the proper tool or a socket that would work to press it out/in. Mine looked fine so I skipped it. I also didn't do the lower control arm inner bushings either because I got new camber arms that already had new bushings.

 

[M2Driver]

Some very handy intel...thanks for this. Lots of sorting on your part for sure.

 

[grannyknot]

That's good info, thanks.
I'm going to be replacing every bushing on the Z4 this winter and I'm going to attempt do it with a variety bushing tools I have gathered over the years and this new kit I p/u a few months ago.
What do you think? I'm sure I'll have to modify a few of the cylinders.

 

[fanchazstic]

That's good info, thanks.
I'm going to be replacing every bushing on the Z4 this winter and I'm going to attempt do it with a variety bushing tools I have gathered over the years and this new kit I p/u a few months ago.
What do you think? I'm sure I'll have to modify a few of the cylinders.

IMG_0689.JPG

That looks like it would probably work for some of them, but I'm not sure if there are big enough cylinders there for the larger bushings. The subframe, diff, and rtabs are all pretty large so finding something to fit around them might be difficult for pressing them out. My dad has a huge 3/4" drive socket set and none of them even got big enough to work. But as long as you aren't in a rush you can give it a shot and swap all the ones you can with the tools you already have.

The rear is definitely the most difficult because there are a lot of bushings and most of them are big. If you're doing the front too, having CTA Tools 8920 helped tremendously for getting the old FCAB off and new one on. You can probably do without it but it does make the process a lot easier. Everything else in the front is just bolt on/off if you're doing new control arms.