The only way to know for sure is to remove the subframe bushing bolt, lower the subframe and look at the bushing. The center portion separates from the outer portion when it is bad. Usually makes a clunking sound. How many miles on the bushings and rest of rear suspension?

118K, and I don't think they have ever been replaced.
What's torque for the bolt?
Bill

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tempt-2-a.html

This will help

Mine went about 155k without being changed. Clunked like crazy when launching from 1st or 2nd!

Torque spec is 94 ft lbs, found about halfway down on the DIY I posted a while back; Post #39

Well, I've got some bad news... The US Postal Service messed up big-time and lost most of the parts for the tool. I shipped it out to the last renter, he used it to replace his subframe bushings last week, packed it up in a Priority Mail box & shipped it back on Monday, but when it arrived at my home, all the parts were missing except the threaded rod, nuts and bearing. Everything else is gone, gone, gone. Crap.

It looks like the box had been split open and taped back up with some clear packing tape, but that tape extends over the tape that the other guy used to attach the mailing label to the box, which tells me it was added afterward.

I guess what this means is that the tool will no longer available for rental, at least from me. It was insured, and I'm beginning the process of making a claim on it, but I have no idea how that will proceed, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for payment. If payment does come through, I'm not sure I'll replace the tool though; the whole program started because I had the tool and didn't want it to sit on the shelf. Well, now I don't have the tool, and if/when I get an insurance settlement, there are other things that I could use that money for, so... I will however leave the DIY instructions in the thread for future reference; no need to mess with that.

Bimmer Tool Rental :: Rentals also has a tool available for rent; the terms are similar to mine, but the overall cost is a little higher than I charged.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-related-...it-rental.html

Sorry to hear Dave, it was great while it lasted! I hope you get a settlement at least for the value of the tool and can put it towards your other expenses, and hope all else is well!

In the meantime this was a great and fairly priced service you provided for the community and I'm sure everyone is greatful! Hope those front bearings aren't giving you too much trouble!

Thanks David for the community support.

FWIW, it's a heavy item box...
I ship alot and knew it's inherent weak points.
When I shipped the set back, i used the *good* 3 Mil Tape and made sure not only the edges were taped, but also the entire edge of the box so that if a tear should occur in the aformention area by the OP, the box would not tear due to the tape preventing the paper for tearing.

Thanks, guys. Yes, jsoto, it's a heavy item. Nearly 20 lbs, so it's somewhat understandable that it could split open, but shouldn't unless it was handled pretty roughly, like tossed or dropped from a height. Even so, somebody noticed it had split open and put things back together; it wouldn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that there were pieces missing that should go into the foam padding. A conscientious person would look around for the missing pieces, but... Oh well.

The funny(sad?) thing is I was just one rental away from breaking even on the thing, and had two people queued up. If it had returned intact yesterday I would've turned it around to go to another guy who had been anxiously waiting for it for the last couple of weeks while it was out on other rentals. He'd already sent his deposit, and I hated to break the news to him that it was gone, but... I'm hoping the BimmerToolRental.com guy can help him out.

RB: Not doing anything on the front bearings right now, but will probably dive into that in the next couple of weeks in anticipation of an upcoming road trip. Heading to a BMW get together in Pagosa Springs, CO, ~1000 miles each way. I'm also working on an engine swap for my e28; was hoping to have that done for the trip, but considering the fact that it's mid August and that car still wouldn't have AC, I'm not sure that would be the best choice anyhoo. I'm about halfway through my radiation treatments, and feeling a little beat up from that, so I'm not moving too quickly on anything right now. My oldest son was a huge help with the rear bearings, but he took a full time job about an hour away from us, so I don't think I'll see a repeat performance from him. We'll see if I end up hiring the job out before then. Very loathe to do that though; too cheap. ;)

Thanks again. It was a great help. To bad what happened but you have more than done your helpful share.

For X owners living in the Windy City, Home of Da Bears you can rent the bushing tool locally.

Suspension: Struts, Shocks and Springs, Specialty Auto Tool Rentals

I don't know if that rate is per day or per week, but you'll save on the shipping cost if you pick up.