Rear subframe bushings
 

Which rear subframe bushings are better? Lemforder or Meyle HD?

Oh, that’s a big question.... you’ll have guys argue both ways... personally, I’d go poly. Either spring for Energy Suspension or go with the PSB and save yourself a ton of money - I hear good things about the PSB bushings, will probably go that route when I do mine.


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Im not a fan of poly anything and prefer either OE Lemforder or Meyle HD. Are the Lemforders actually fluid filled or solid rubber like the Meyle HD?

I friend of mine put poly bushings in and they are squeaking as hell. Not a fan. I would go with genuine BMW bushing ,Lemforder.

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Doesn’t really help you because it’s my best guess, but Lemforder being OEM, I would guess that they are oil filled vs the Meyle HD which are solid. That said, I don’t know that you would pick up much vibration from poly in the rear, but I do know that they are a hundred times easier to install, just grease and push in. But I totally understand your point, they can be abrasive in the wrong location... like my thrust bushing... almost wish I hadn’t done those in poly because I definitely feel those up front.


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I went with Febi Bilstein. I believe they are solid rubber filled type. I opted for poly bushes but then I remembered I added poly bushes in my rear lower control arms and they felt way to hard. I got used to them now :-)
Since I had to buy a tool anyway I chose to go with the Febi's. They were much cheaper too and if they last as long as the original ones I will be fine!
I did add 2 tubes of poly sealant to hopefully add even more life to them.

Do you recall where the Febi mounts were made? FCP shows the Lemforders are made in Turkey and the Meyle HD ones are made in Thailand...

I can't remember but when checking the product EAN code it tells me the country of origin is Germany. EAN 4027816262633. I checked the Meyle HD en Lemforders too and it tells me country of origin Germany for those aswell. I don't know what to believe now :yikes:

Why not poly? It's not really any different from solid rubber in this application. For a suspension arm which has movement yes, but for this it's just isolating vibrations and shock from the chassis. A solid rubber would be basically the same thing.

I am an OE OCD kind of guy when it comes to most things on my X5. So outside of poly does any recommend one vs the other? Meyle? Lemforder? Febi? Or are they all the same?

I went with the Lemforder and they looked just like the originals and had no problems. As was pointed out, I think Lemforder is OEM and the safe bet.

I used PSB for the thrust arms bushings when I had the dreaded front wheel shimmy when braking at high speed (over 70 mph). Would never go back to rubber bushing on a X.

That’s pretty much we’re I am as well [emoji106]. When I have to do body bushings I’m planning to use the PSBs as well. Thankfully I’m not there yet [emoji16]


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Poly bushings tend to bind and cause issues. If performance is desired, spherical rod ends are the way to go. But of course they have their draw backs.

Or, delrin bushed greased bushings.

Otherwise, rubber is best, as long as the deflection is modest.

I just did this job and I went with the Meyle. The stock bushings are not solid, the Meyle ones are.

I will likely use the PSB bushings in mine when the time comes and take the extra step of drilling and tapping each housing to add a grease fitting [emoji106]

Definitely an easy enough process and goes a loooong way in maintaining the quietness and integrity of poly bushings.


I drilled the rear arms on my Notchback when I installed those arms and never looked back - love them.


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I've got poly bushings almost everywhere on my X, except the subframe bushings. I went with rubber there. I have no noise issues with the polys. They do need to be greased with silicone grease when they're installed though.

I like people's comments that they don't like poly bushing but never used them. I had poly bushing on the thrust arm of the X when I owned it and didn't have the squeal or any other noise problem. People who had squeak problems probably just slapped them in and didn't bother to grease them up.

^+1 Def need to be lube with the RIGHT product before installation.
Answers on poly bushings
- Will they give off NVH on E53? Some direct feel will be noticable.
- Will you notice? 85% will not.
- Will you get better road feel and reduced suspension compression loosiness? YES (If you are running TALL sidewall tires will you notice? SOME
- Is it the right decision for everyone? Your car, your money, your time.
- Do the big V8 monsters chew through front and rear suspension parts (and tires) like candy on the day after Halloween? You bet....

Ha ha ha - I agree on both counts and really enjoyed that - “like candy on the day after Halloween” - too funny!! [emoji16]



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Will this tool be sufficient?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174502460097

Looks like the tool I have.

That's the one I used. A lot cheaper then what a shop would charge you.

Do yourself a favor and buy a 1/2 24mm deep socket and long breaker bar.
That will get you half way there. You will have to switch to a big adjustable or a 24mm open end wrench for the last few turns to pop the bushing out.

Awesome! Thanks for the tip!

I'm seeing those kits for about 200.00 canadian

2003 BMW X5 E53 M54 engine,253512KM

Well that came too fast!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ed431a59be.jpg

Let me know how it goes. I might be doing this next year. Or I should be doing it .2003 BMW X5 E53 M54 engine,253512KM

I bought a 24mm ratcheting spanner for just this job!

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1HxfvN...g-Wrenches.jpg

Link to this tool?

I purchased something like this...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858643682.html

But more likely you'll want something local...

https://www.amazon.com/Irimo-454151-.../dp/B01089LIR6

This is cheaper..

https://www.amazon.com/Jetech-24mm-f.../dp/B00VX721VK

Lord yes - it absolutely MUST be ratcheting - the on, turn, off, on, turn, off, on, turn, off - repeat, repeat, repeat... :wow: nope. I remember back before ratcheting wrenches and not being able to get a socket between my firewall and bell housing to get to my trans out in my Notchabck... many times I thought about suicide!