lets talk rear suspension.

[theblue]

I don't see how just the 4 subframe bushings can be 10 hours if you have the special tool... maybe 1.5 hours per corner.

what are the doing, dropping the whole subframe and using a real press?

lots of good info so far, keep the input coming.

[theblue]

while considering all my options, I found this setup which looks like a good deal, had anybody run these from Blau?

BMW X5 4.4i Strut Shock Absorber Kit - E53 Chassis - 2000-06

[theblue]

thoughts on this subframe tool?

Amazon.com: BMW Subframe Bushing Tool Set ( E53 Rear ): Everything Else

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by theblue

thoughts on this subframe tool?

Amazon.com: BMW Subframe Bushing Tool Set ( E53 Rear ): Everything Else

Looks just like the Baum Tools item I bought through eBay yesterday, priced about $25 less than the one I bought. Probably the same item, just a different retailer. Mine was sold by El Paso Tool, but now that I've already clicked the big "buy" button I see that Komen Tools also has an eBay listing for that same item, and there's another similar tool, for $280. Oh well; mine is already on the way, and those others would probably break anyway.

Baum Tools makes B334140X5, but doesn't sell to the public. El Paso Tool and Komen Tool are likely just retailers. Wonder what they pay for the tool...

[theblue]

want to rent me your tool to recoup some of the cost when you are done? I can wait a couple weeks?

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by theblue

want to rent me your tool to recoup some of the cost when you are done? I can wait a couple weeks?

You bet! You'll be the first (of many, I hope) on my list. I'll send you a PM when I'm closer to being ready to send it out. Thanks!

[Russianblue]

Put me on the rent list too!

Re: the Blauparts kit.

That certainly is a complete kit! Those LOOK like KYB shocks to me and from a little reading on the web, perhaps they are custom valved for Blau?

I have never used KYB because i have had very good luck with Bilstein, Koni and Boge. In my experience, new dust protectors, shock mounts, all those ancillary items making up the majority of that picture....not necessary. I actually get RID of the dust boots typically.

I understand the want to do things just right, but 95% of the result is the type/quality of the strut/shock IMHO.

replace mounts if they are a poor design (e36 rears) or broken/noisy, but generally, save your money. re-use your old hardware. maybe order new spring pads if you want. bump stops....i'd probably re-use. is your X riding the bump stops very often?

do you have a spring compressor? i once did some e23 springs and i have a feeling the X will be a similar PITA. LOL!!

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by Russianblue

Put me on the rent list too!

Done; thanks!

As for the Blauparts strut/shock package, I'd worry about the quality on them as well. There are a lot of cheap & crappy Chinese knockoff parts around these days, and they'll work ok at first, but just won't hold up like the brands we know & love. Not bad if you don't mind redoing a job every 10,000 miles.

Bilstein front struts will cost around $250 each, and are well worth it. If Russianblue is right and those are rebranded KYBs, I'd spend the money on Billies, then replace the other parts as needed, just so I wouldn't have to spend the same money again in 3-4 years.

[Ricky Bobby]

what are you looking to rent the tool for?

I honestly was toying with just buying 1 replacement bushing and seeing how long it would take me to do 1 with a sawzall and blowtorch and a floor jack to press in place, and leave the new bushing in the freezer overnight so it shrinks the rubber a bit before install.


if i can get it done with those tools rather simply, I may pass on the rental. But definitely not giving an indy 600 in labor for it when I can rent a tool from you.


I am getting my thrust arms/wishbones and ball joints up front replaced in the coming weeks to correct my vibrations and clunking, and while its at my indy i'll have him estimate what it would cost me to have the 4 subframe bushings done by him. i'll report back when i have something.

[theblue]

after much research I'm at the following (not everything ordered yet:

Subframe Bushings ORDRED
blunttech x4 $117 shipped
FEBI Subframe Mount - Rear,W0133-1665412 - Blunt Tech.com

Ball Joints - HAVE

Integral Link - $20 x2 $40 shipped
BMW Integral Link - FCP 33321090030 | FCP Euro

Guiding suspension link x2
$37 x2 shipped = $74
BMW E53 Control Arm X5 3.0 4.4 4.8 REAR 00-06 NEW L=R | eBay

Wishbone Left
$47 shipped
BMW E53 Control Arm X5 3.0i 4.4i 00-06 REAR UPPER LEFT | eBay

Wishbone Right
$47 shipped
BMW E53 Control Arm X5 3.0i 4.4i 00-06 REAR UPPER RIGHT | eBay

$503 BLAUFERGNUGEN full suspension package ORDERED
BMW Shocks - BMW X5 Shocks - Blausport BMW X5 Shock Absorber Kit


Rear Pads + Rotors blunttech $78 ORDERED