Subframe Bushing
 

I have had this x5 now for about 4 years and ever since i have owned it there was this "thunk" when putting it into revers or drive or when you accelerate, drove me nuts. Indie shops were quoting me 6 and 700 to do this job so i bought the tool for $75 and got to work.

As far as DIY goes this ones not to bad. The propane torch definitely made the job easier. Having a long wrench or breaker bar really helps. You still get a work out though.

I don't see how you could even do this job with out the tool.

And wow what a difference it made, this SUV feels really good even though it has 211,000 miles on it, I want to drive it all the time now. It's no wonder people keep them and keep them going for so long.

Come January/ February all this work I have been doing over the summer on this thing will all be worth it.

This thing is a tank in the snow, with heated seats :cheers:

Which brand bushings did you go with?

Meyle

They are solid rubber bushing, not like the stock ones

Are they made in thailand? Have any pictures of the packaging?

Stock Bushings
 

Look how blown the stock bushing are, all 4 were like that

You see how the stock bushing are not completely solid

The Meyle ones are solid all the way

I just looked at the box and I got the good ones made in Hamburg Germany.

The Meyle HD bushings aren't solid - they are identical to the OEM ones. Heck, they might even BE the OEM ones.

The Meyle HD bushings DO look solid at a quick glance, since there is a thin rubber section in the centre that means when you look down them, you can't see daylight. This is just a "flashing" left over from casting process.

Do you recommend Meyle or Lemforder?

If the old ones are shot, then either is better than what you have! ;)

I figure it's hard to wrong with anything back there, Meyle HD, Lemforder, PSB etc. - they are all going to last 100,000miles or more (when fitted correctly), so will likely outlast the car.

Which is why so many of us who purchased the tool will only ever use it once... :rolleyes:

I got the Kommen tool and it's such a work of art I haven't been able to part with it - yet. But unless I own multiple E53 cars, I won't be likely to ever use it again... :rofl:

Outlast the car you say huh? I beg to differ... ;)