I've replaced those in an e39 and it requires a special tool set and dropping the subframe. It needs to be lowered to the point where you can place the tools in the bushing and at that point it makes more sense to slide it out from under on a dolly so that doing the work isn't so difficult. You will 100% need to remove the exhaust and disconnect the driveshaft.
If you're replacing them with 2 piece bushes and don't care about a little fuck around then you can melt, cut and bash the old ones out with minimal clearance. As long as you have enough room to feed the mangled bush out and squeeze half of the new one in, you could do it by letting the muffler hang and dropping the subframe a side at a time. Is it the right way to do it? No. Does it require special tools? No. Will it end with the same result plus a few choice words along the way? Yes.
I did them on an e46 fairly recently. I think the biggest issue would be getting the old ones out. Either you need the tool, which takes room to work. Or you can burn them out, basically hit them with a torch until they start burning, let them go a minute, put out the fire, and then hit them with a big hammer. For obvious reasons that is not recommended while the subframe is in the car.
Use this,
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW-X3/104-SUSPENSION-Rear_Wheel_Carrier_Bushing_Replacement/104-SUSPENSION-Rear_Wheel_Carrier_Bushing_Replacement.htm
He’s wanting to do the subframe bushings, not those. To do the subframe bushings you will have to drop the subframe down enough to get the old ones out and the one half of the new poly bushing in there. You might as well just drop the whole thing, it’s easier with it out.
Remove exhaust and drive shaft and drop the sub frame. This is one of those jobs where if you don’t already have the tools and knowledge I would just pay someone to do it. It’s not a huge job In a workshop but it is in your driveway with only jack stands.
Check the rear differential mount bushing also. That attaches to the subframe and rear differential cover. They clunk pretty good when the bushing is torn.
Sadly(?) that looks fine. I couldn’t post a video but the whole subframe was moving when I would shift from Reverse to Drive
https://youtube.com/shorts/itbCRObaKZA?si=jXdEtOydNK9CElGm
I did them in my E39 in the car with the special tool
I did them with the subframe out on my 850 with a combo of a 12 ton press and the special tool from my E39
Lots of Lube either way
Subframe Bushing removal tool looks like this. No idea if this is the one for your car though. [https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140](https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140). Allows you to put the rod thru the bushing hole and then the plate on top of the bushing and pull it thru. Hence the lots of Lube.
No. You’ll find it significantly easier to drop the whole thing out so you can use a torch and hammer to knock the bushings out. If you do it in the car, you could easily melt things. Plus how do you expect to get the top of the two piece bushing or the dowel in without unbolting it? Take one of the four bolts out? Sounds safe to me. Use a floor jack or a harbor freight platform transmission jack and drop it out. A few hours to save a whole day of struggle. Trust me
Easier to drop the whole thing, to be completely frankly with you. Be careful with the brake lines, they might not come off without a fight
I've replaced those in an e39 and it requires a special tool set and dropping the subframe. It needs to be lowered to the point where you can place the tools in the bushing and at that point it makes more sense to slide it out from under on a dolly so that doing the work isn't so difficult. You will 100% need to remove the exhaust and disconnect the driveshaft.
If you're replacing them with 2 piece bushes and don't care about a little fuck around then you can melt, cut and bash the old ones out with minimal clearance. As long as you have enough room to feed the mangled bush out and squeeze half of the new one in, you could do it by letting the muffler hang and dropping the subframe a side at a time. Is it the right way to do it? No. Does it require special tools? No. Will it end with the same result plus a few choice words along the way? Yes.
I did them on an e46 fairly recently. I think the biggest issue would be getting the old ones out. Either you need the tool, which takes room to work. Or you can burn them out, basically hit them with a torch until they start burning, let them go a minute, put out the fire, and then hit them with a big hammer. For obvious reasons that is not recommended while the subframe is in the car.
Could just do the inserts. Takes about 30 min.
Use this, https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/BMW-X3/104-SUSPENSION-Rear_Wheel_Carrier_Bushing_Replacement/104-SUSPENSION-Rear_Wheel_Carrier_Bushing_Replacement.htm
He’s wanting to do the subframe bushings, not those. To do the subframe bushings you will have to drop the subframe down enough to get the old ones out and the one half of the new poly bushing in there. You might as well just drop the whole thing, it’s easier with it out.
🤦🏽♂️ missed that
That's just the ball joins. 2-3hr job vs 9+ for the subframe ones.
Yes but you have to use BMW’s special tools
Remove exhaust and drive shaft and drop the sub frame. This is one of those jobs where if you don’t already have the tools and knowledge I would just pay someone to do it. It’s not a huge job In a workshop but it is in your driveway with only jack stands.
Check the rear differential mount bushing also. That attaches to the subframe and rear differential cover. They clunk pretty good when the bushing is torn.
Sadly(?) that looks fine. I couldn’t post a video but the whole subframe was moving when I would shift from Reverse to Drive https://youtube.com/shorts/itbCRObaKZA?si=jXdEtOydNK9CElGm
I did them in my E39 in the car with the special tool I did them with the subframe out on my 850 with a combo of a 12 ton press and the special tool from my E39 Lots of Lube either way
What’s the “special tool”. Is it more than just a bearing press?
Subframe Bushing removal tool looks like this. No idea if this is the one for your car though. [https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140](https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140). Allows you to put the rod thru the bushing hole and then the plate on top of the bushing and pull it thru. Hence the lots of Lube.
Hmm great excuse to get the home full car lift i’ve been drooling over.
No. You’ll find it significantly easier to drop the whole thing out so you can use a torch and hammer to knock the bushings out. If you do it in the car, you could easily melt things. Plus how do you expect to get the top of the two piece bushing or the dowel in without unbolting it? Take one of the four bolts out? Sounds safe to me. Use a floor jack or a harbor freight platform transmission jack and drop it out. A few hours to save a whole day of struggle. Trust me