rumatt's E46 - Page 15

John V · 04-23-2017, 08:07 AM

Matt insisted that we replace the subframe bushings since we were doing everything else. I tried to talk him out of it, because it's a horrible job even with the right tool and I thought his stock bushings should still be fine. Well, we were both right as it turns out. It is a horrible job (last time I did this I had the subframe out of my car to replace the exploded rear diff mount and it was pretty easy) but he was right that the bushings were toast.

Hard to see in these pics but you can see the crack in this rear bushing and the stress cracks on the underside.

The new bushings are, obviously, new.

I got the rears done yesterday, fronts will go in today. The rears are pretty easy as you only have to lower the rear subframe a couple inches. The fronts are a bear, you have to lower the subframe six full inches which necessitates disconnecting the e-brake cables as the handle as they route through the subframe. I'll try to get some pictures today if I'm not too annoyed with the process.

rumatt · 04-23-2017, 09:18 AM

Possibly the perfect opportunity for this emoji?

Thanks man. I wasn't even banking on them being dead yet, but I know they fail at some point. I envisioned doing all this work and then having them start clunking 3 years from now. I'd have been kicking myself.

So, um.... "while you're in there".... Can you see the attachment points? Do you see any cracks?

bren · 04-23-2017, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

So, um.... "while you're in there".... Can you see the attachment points? Do you see any cracks?

The million dollar question....

Mine are right front and left rear.

rumatt · 04-23-2017, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Mine are right front and left rear.

Yours are cracked?

bren · 04-23-2017, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Yours are cracked?

It's an e46, of course they are.

John V · 04-23-2017, 01:14 PM

No cracks in the unibody. It looks brand new.

SARAFIL · 04-23-2017, 01:27 PM

This thread is interesting but I'm scared to see the bill at the end! Has the labor already exceeded the value of the car? Time to insure it as a collectors car?

*clyde* · 04-23-2017, 05:43 PM

I saw this yesterday. Seems to have turned into a pretty neat project.

John V · 04-23-2017, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

This thread is interesting but I'm scared to see the bill at the end! Has the labor already exceeded the value of the car? Time to insure it as a collectors car?

Labor is nothing compared to the parts.

Nick M3 · 04-23-2017, 06:47 PM

Not doing the control arm bushings/balljoints?

04-23-2017, 01:27 PM	#147
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,789	This thread is interesting but I'm scared to see the bill at the end! Has the labor already exceeded the value of the car? Time to insure it as a collectors car? __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

04-23-2017, 05:43 PM	#148
clyde Chief title editor Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,599	I saw this yesterday. Seems to have turned into a pretty neat project. __________________ OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do?

04-23-2017, 06:47 PM	#150
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,458	Not doing the control arm bushings/balljoints? __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

04-23-2017, 08:07 AM	#141
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Matt insisted that we replace the subframe bushings since we were doing everything else. I tried to talk him out of it, because it's a horrible job even with the right tool and I thought his stock bushings should still be fine. Well, we were both right as it turns out. It is a horrible job (last time I did this I had the subframe out of my car to replace the exploded rear diff mount and it was pretty easy) but he was right that the bushings were toast. Hard to see in these pics but you can see the crack in this rear bushing and the stress cracks on the underside. The new bushings are, obviously, new. I got the rears done yesterday, fronts will go in today. The rears are pretty easy as you only have to lower the rear subframe a couple inches. The fronts are a bear, you have to lower the subframe six full inches which necessitates disconnecting the e-brake cables as the handle as they route through the subframe. I'll try to get some pictures today if I'm not too annoyed with the process.

04-23-2017, 09:18 AM	#142
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Possibly the perfect opportunity for this emoji? Thanks man. I wasn't even banking on them being dead yet, but I know they fail at some point. I envisioned doing all this work and then having them start clunking 3 years from now. I'd have been kicking myself. So, um.... "while you're in there".... Can you see the attachment points? Do you see any cracks?

04-23-2017, 01:14 PM	#146
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	No cracks in the unibody. It looks brand new.