Bushings Replacement DIY for Rear Lower Control Arm / Swing arm

[mr_robot]

Yes I meant shop press, I have the same one from Harbor Freight.

[andrewwynn]

I've been working out other ways to get that done mostly with through the middle presses. I just picked up the one for the rear ball joint. It's nice it has ball bearing thrust bushings but I don't trust the threaded rod. No indication of the hardness. I'll be replacing they with an 8.8 or 10.9 hardness.

I'm hoping one of my existing plates/tubes will match for doing the bushings from this thread.

I have some rear end slop but I haven't determined if it's suspension bushings or subframe. My camber is a little whacked so I'm betting on the ball joint. I'll find out next week when I pull the wheels and the air bag hoses and push stuff around.


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[Happy]

Yeah I had them totally confused.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by X5only

Found a DIY at E38 bimmerboard (http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/1231254) for replacement of the bushings for the rear lower control arm. The bushings are not sold separately by BMW, expecting you to buy the whole arm for over $500 each.

Tools required:
- A universal forged c-clamp press and adapter (equivalent of sir Tools 3027 adapter) which can be rented from Autozone, O'reilly etc. Walmart also has the adapter for $53. The split-shell bushing requires a couple 2" hose clamps to compress the shell before pressing in. Make sure you get the hose clamps with the gear holes vs. indented since the gear won't hold the tension very well on the indented version.

This is the kit my Advance Auto rents. Does it look like the same kit you used when you did your bushings? All the specs on this kit are in SAE not mm. The C-clamp looks the same but unsure on the adapters. Last thing I want is to drop the arms and have no way of pushing out the old bushings.

[X5only]

I tried using that tool. You need the strength of two healthy gorillas to use it. I gave up and used a shop press from harborfrieght. The removal process was as smooth as butter.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by X5only

I tried using that tool. You need the strength of two healthy gorillas to use it. I gave up and used a shop press from harborfrieght. The removal process was as smooth as butter.

What adapters did you use?

[X5only]

Originally Posted by Overboost

What adapters did you use?

Oh wait, I remember now. As shown in the pic, I used one of the adaptors from the rear ball-joint bushing tool in this set to push the bushing out/in. It fits in the control arm without rubbing on the sides. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supercrazy-...kAAOSwed9dtebU. I bought that thick metal round piece from homedepot.

The other adaptor (larger bottom one) was from the rental tool set you have pictured in your post. It's the same size as the bushing hole in the control arm. So don't return the rental tool yet (you get your money back) and buy the ball-joint bushing removal tool. As pictured, I used a shop press from harborfreight. Only around $96 and you can return it when done, but I kept mine.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by X5only

Oh wait, I remember now. As shown in the pic, I used one of the adaptors from the rear ball-joint bushing tool in this set to push the bushing out/in. It fits in the control arm without rubbing on the sides. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supercrazy-...kAAOSwed9dtebU. I bought that thick metal round piece from homedepot.

The other adaptor (larger bottom one) was from the rental tool set you have pictured in your post. It's the same size as the bushing hole in the control arm. So don't return the rental tool yet (you get your money back) and buy the ball-joint bushing removal tool. As pictured, I used a shop press from harborfreight. Only around $96 and you can return it when done, but I kept mine.

I did the same thing. Still was a chore as the pushing cap was a slight press fit itself.

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I did the same thing. Still was a chore as the pushing cap was a slight press fit itself.

I am hoping the Sir Tools 3027 adapter should help there. Improper sized dies that may bind is what I worry about heading into this. Looks like Harbor Freight is offering a 20 ton press for $139 for their Black Friday sale so I may run pick one up and then I won't need to bother anyone or have to track down a shop willing to do this for me. Fingers crossed.

[bcredliner]

The worst experiences of DIY are often those that one does not have the right tools. I justify purchasing new tools anytime I DIY since I am saving so much on labor, even if I don't need any new tools to do the job. The male version of can't have too many shoes.