Lemforder suspension kit. How much to DIY?

[semcoinc]

I've found the PNs for the rear lower arm bushings

They appear to be:

33326754557 Febest @ $22ea

and

33326754558 Febest @ $15ea

Suspension Control Arm Bushing For 2007 BMW 550i (USA) | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suspension-C...3D281482889831

I'm going to go with these.

Mike

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

Please say more Fifty150hs.

How would you describe the process to be followed?

Thanks.

Mike

I wasn't in the machine shop when the machinist did the actual work. I purchased the bushings and if you do it you will see they are larger than the opening they go into on the swing arm. From what I saw at the machine shop he used hose clamps to compress the bushings to the right size before pushing them into place. He had a problem with one of them and I had to get another one as it was damaged when the method he was using to compress slipped but the ram kept moving and totally distorted the bushing.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by semcoinc

I've found the PNs for the rear lower arm bushings

They appear to be:

33326754557 Febest @ $22ea

and

33326754558 Febest @ $15ea

Suspension Control Arm Bushing For 2007 BMW 550i (USA) | eBay

Suspension Control Arm Bushing For 2007 BMW 550i (USA) | eBay

I'm going to go with these.

Mike

Bought mine from FCP Euro. Lemforder. OEM

[semcoinc]

Originally Posted by Fifty150hs

I wasn't in the machine shop when the machinist did the actual work. I purchased the bushings and if you do it you will see they are larger than the opening they go into on the swing arm. From what I saw at the machine shop he used hose clamps to compress the bushings to the right size before pushing them into place. He had a problem with one of them and I had to get another one as it was damaged when the method he was using to compress slipped but the ram kept moving and totally distorted the bushing.

Thanks Fifty150hs. Those are helpful watch outs.

Mike

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by itsbrokeagain

My rear balljoint were so seized that I would've broke the rod that comes with the tool kit. I had to get creative and use the big Snap-On press tool and use an impact gun to drive them out and push the new one in. It worked a little better putting some heat on the spindle to get it to expand...

Wow. That's surprising. I can understand problems getting an old ball joint out, but not putting a new one in.

[Joshdub]

For installing the new rear ball joints, I had left them in the freezer for about a week before I installed them. They were frozen and slid right into place with the tool.

As far as the rear control arm bushings, I used a hole saw to cut out the inner sleeve, then a sawzall to cut the out ring of the old bushing. Then knocked it out with a hammer and punch. They were so seized that I couldn't get them pressed out. I installed poly ones so I have no advice there.

[semcoinc]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

For installing the new rear ball joints, I had left them in the freezer for about a week before I installed them. They were frozen and slid right into place with the tool.

As far as the rear control arm bushings, I used a hole saw to cut out the inner sleeve, then a sawzall to cut the out ring of the old bushing. Then knocked it out with a hammer and punch. They were so seized that I couldn't get them pressed out. I installed poly ones so I have no advice there.

Hi Josh,

Great tip about the hole saw and sawzall.

Do you have a link for the poly units you sourced?

Thanks,

Mike

[biggeek]

Just a word of advice you might need some heat for some of the bolts and you impact wont get into every place.

I did my front and rear(including wheel bearings) with no prior experience.

get a heat matt(or 2) so you can shield things.

I didn't have any problems getting the ball joint out with a BFH and a punch.

Good luck

[semcoinc]

Thanks Biggeek

Yeah, I've got a fair amount of suspension experience, just not on the E53. I did the complete front end including CV joints, ball joints and tension bushings last month. Now tackling the rear suspension so all the running gear will be capable of delivering another 100K trouble free.

I have air impact tools, heat torch, a BFH and plenty of PB Blaster. Parts are inbound now and I have to select and order a subframe bushing tool. Maybe I will get the Amazon one

https://www.amazon.com/Suspension-Su.../dp/B017F4NVBI



It seems to be a slam dunk with this thing and I didn't go poly because of cost so I gotta press out and press in.

Mike

[bcredliner]

That's the right tool for the job. That's what I use.