Found Rear Subframe Outer Bushes

[MickyG]

Does anyone know where to source either Meyle or Lemforder sub frame mounting bushes at reasonable price?
(<£30 each).

All my research keeps coming back with either “Item not suitable for Z3”, or
“Out of stock”

 

[Pond]

Are you talking about 'beam bushes'?
I have one spare (cos I ordered 3 by mistake) Febi Bilstein one. BMW part number 33 31 1 090 946.

 

[MickyG]

Thank you for the offer - I may end up taking up your offer. For the moment I would like to source the Meyle HD version, but it seems to be out of stock everywhere.
How did you end up with 3?
(As opposed to 2 or 4?!)

 

[Pond]

Thank you for the offer - I may end up taking up your offer. For the moment I would like to source the Meyle HD version, but it seems to be out of stock everywhere.
How did you end up with 3?
(As opposed to 2 or 4?!)

I pressed the wrong digit on my computer! When they arrived I thought Autodoc had mis-counted the order, but I checked and it was me!

I actually have three at present because I haven't got round to fitting the new ones yet.

 

[MickyG]

I pressed the wrong digit on my computer! When they arrived I thought Autodoc had mis-counted the order, but I checked and it was me!

I actually have three at present because I haven't got round to fitting the new ones yet.

What is the Febi part number?
Are they Febi 21066?
Can I take two off you please, and replace one next week with same part? I could then get on with the job this weekend/early next week?

 

[Pond]

What is the Febi part number?
Are they Febi 21066?
Can I take two off you please, and replace one next week with same part? I could then get on with the job this weekend/early next week?

Yes you are welcome to two. Part number is 21066, yes.

I will send you a PM with my mobile number and address. I am in the centre of Spalding.

 

[MickyG]

Yes you are welcome to two. Part number is 21066, yes.

I will send you a PM with my mobile number and address. I am in the centre of Spalding.

Lovely talking to you today, and to see your fabulous Fauxrari.
Thanks for the bushes: I’ll drop my ordered one with you next eeek.
I’ll let you know how I get on when I’ve finished fitting them.

 

[Andyboy]

To fit them, you ideally need the special tool which you might be able to rent.

To avoid straining or disconnecting the brake hose, disconnect the rear damper and anti roll bar link, remove the spring plus the lower support plate and raise the rear trailing arm back up to around or above normal ride height with an axle stand or similar. Then the axle beam drops down enough to clear the long stud - unscrew the stud and fit the special tool. You could make something with a long bolt and a couple of serious washers. Use tyre fitting lube or WD40. Don't use fairy liquid as it won't dry out and the bush will 'walk' downwards out of the subframe.

 

[MickyG]

Thanks Andy
I was certainly hoping to do it “on the car” without disconnecting the brake pipes etc.
A YouTube video suggested applying heat ( not fire) to help the rubber slide out : anyone tried it?

 

[Duncodin]

Thanks Andy
I was certainly hoping to do it “on the car” without disconnecting the brake pipes etc.
A YouTube video suggested applying heat ( not fire) to help the rubber slide out : anyone tried it?

I used the heat method to get the old ones out. A hot air gun. Lot of heat. But new ones are polly. I didn't think I'd be able to press new OEM ones in. Polly bushes slide in easy.

 

[Pingu]

I've only ever done it with the beam out, and I burn them out, and catch the melted rubber in a bucket of water .

It's always needed oxy-propane. Normal propane wasn't hot enough to get it to catch fire and stay alight.

Interesting to read that others have been able to do it much more easily.

 

[Duncodin]

I've only ever done it with the beam out, and I burn them out, and catch the melted rubber in a bucket of water .

It's always needed oxy-propane. Normal propane wasn't hot enough to get it to catch fire and stay alight.

Interesting to read that others have been able to do it much more easily.

No wasn't easy. Took a while. Undo the nut below the bush and remove those metal brackets (push rods) ie the bolts of death. Jack up the car on the jacking point so the beam drops a few inches. I inserted a few sockets and other lumps of metal above the bush and then put an axle stand under the beam and lowered the car/beam onto the stand so the weight of the car is pushing down on the bush then apply the heat. Repeat.

Some people make a special 'tool' to insert above the bush but I just used anything metal to chuck in there and lower the car's weight onto it.

Above I mentioned "Push Rod". That's the term BMW use in english for their "Shubstrebe". A better translation would refer to it as a bracket or brace. It's the bracket/brace that bolts the bottom of the beam below the bush to the chassis. Two torx bolts that on a 20 odd year old zed can be a real pig to undo. Often referred to as the "bolts of death". Be prepared to use 'rounded bolt removal tool' to shift them.

 

[PYX]

Ditto above I used same method with 1”1/4 iron pipe fitting cut in half and taped together to press out the bushing. Power flex polybush back in. Easy to fit as it’s in two pieces.
still got the special tool if anyone wants it for price of postage. Won’t be using it again.