mot fail, rear (all yellow)?? sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated

[JonbmwX5]

hi guys, im x5 failed her mot today on the rear sub frame bushes so i thought not a problem there is a fantastic guide on here i will have a go my self and follow it. One thing that has confuse me a little is reading the mot document,

reason for refusal

rear (all (yellow)) subframe bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement.

im starting to wonder about the all yellow? i phoned the mot station and the chap who failed her isnt in untill tomorrow. Im now no long sure its the bushes becasue they are not yellow they are black? i was going to replace these rear bushes (circled in red) this isnt my x5



now i have had a look under my x5 the only all yellow thing i can see is this (i have circled it in yellow)

what is that and could it cause a mot fail?

thanks, kind regards Jon

[lowlows18]

the red circles are what u need to changed.. the yellow circle is your air bag

[JonbmwX5]

thank you lowlows18 i have just removed the cap of one and the centre bit fell out. i think i will have a go at removing the bushes without the special tool first im sure i read a post where someone cut them out

[upallnight]

If you use powerflex bushings, you don't need the special tool to reinstall.

[epdarks]

Originally Posted by upallnight

If you use powerflex bushings, you don't need the special tool to reinstall.

Too bad they are $500

[Eric Le Baron]

Originally Posted by JonbmwX5

i think i will have a go at removing the bushes without the special tool first im sure i read a post where someone cut them out

Did you manage to remove/install them without the special tool?

[bcredliner]

There have been a few that have made their own tool. I recommend renting the tool, will save you a lot of frustration and time. Here is a source- https://www.facebook.com/bimmertoolrental

[Eric Le Baron]

Thanks,but that's 4100 miles from here...
Guess it's not too hard to get the worn out rubber out once the metal part in the rubber's center is removed.
To get the new rubbers in I'm thinking of using a jack.

[David.X5]

Its got a metal ring on the outside too. I used the special tool and it was hard work. Don't want to think what a knuckle buster it would be to do without the special tool. Those things were __TIGHT__.

Have you looked around for a BMW tool rental place where you are?

[admranger]

I agree with David.X5 as I just replaced the subframe bushings this past weekend. It was a difficult time wrenching the new ones into place and I had pre-frozen mine. I have the special tool.

You do not want to put in stock subframe bushings without the special tool in my opinion. The X5 subframe bushings were much harder to install than the E46M3 subframe bushings I installed earlier this year. Much. Harder.