It's a tight fit between the bushing and the subframe can, with rubber in the middle. I don't know if penetrating oil would be able to work it's way down there. It wouldn't hurt, but I don't know if it would help. The Bentley manual says to use a heatgun to warm things up, mainly to keep from getting other stuff -- like aluminum parts and wiring -- too hot. The torch works ok too.

If your car has PowerFlex bushings and they need to be replaced, getting the old ones out shouldn't be an issue; they're just a polyurethane ring on top and bottom of the subframe can with a ferrule in between. And installing new PowerFlex bushings can be done without tools at all; read through the writeup X5girl did on them... The only thing you'd need a puller for is getting the old stock bushings out of the way.

Would I be wrong in saying they only things you had to remove was the tire and bending the muffler hinge out of the way in order to remove and install the bushing?

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/y/r/60.png

That's pretty much it; remove the wheel, remove the muffler hanger that's attached to the rear subframe bushing stopper (#4), bend the muffler bracket out of the way, then remove the bolts that go through the bushings (#6) and stoppers (#3, 4 & 5). There's not much in the way at all; it's a pretty straightforward job.

arg help! what's the torque spec for the subframe bolts. I can't find it anywhere online.

apart from that this project is going great and the tool is superb.

One tip I've got it's disconnect the bottom of the shock and you get a ton more clearance. *Keep a jack under the side because you don't want to subframe bending / traveling too far.

94 ft-lbs (163Nm)

Sorry; didn't see this until just now. Better late than never? :D

FYI; the subframe R&R tool is back from its latest engagement and ready for the next one. PM me if interested.

Can you tell if the subframe bushings are bad without lowering the subframe? Are there any symptoms?

Thanks for offering this! It looks to be a lot easier when you have the right tools!

What were your symptoms? My X has 115k and I don't think they've ever been replaced.

I ordered Powerflex bushings. Supposed to be much better than stock, already had ball joints and control arms so might as well do the job right. I have logged 106,000 miles so time to get done.

Is the bushing tool available for next weekend?

Yes! Sorry I hadn't seen this; I don't seem to be getting notifications when comments are added to this thread.

PM on its way.