worn out RTABs (rear trailing arm bushings)

[plastichero]

I have a 1998 328i sedan. The inside of the rear tires are wearing out extremely fast. I went for alignment and they said the RTABs are totally gone, they need to be replaced. I was wondering how long I can still drive this car before I replace the RTABs. I'll change it in a month but need to go to places here and there. So, I was wondering whether it's safe to drive on highways/local roads for hours with this condition (other than wearing out the tires)? Suggest me.

The rear tires look like this:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/7679265710_30c3a42986_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679265710/)
IMG_2665 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679265710/) by ছায়ালীন (http://www.flickr.com/people/onushilon/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7679266670_7d77dda84b_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/)
IMG_2664 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/) by ছায়ালীন (http://www.flickr.com/people/onushilon/), on Flickr

[UnderCoverGuy11]

My wheels in the back are kind of the same, I don't have any tire wear problems and the car handles pretty good.

You can drive it if you want, but it's not worth the risk. Besides the continue wear on the tire, the RTA will keep slamming against the frame, and welding is alot more expensive than some RTAB's shipped to your door.

[scooper]

camber is controlled by the lower camber arms. That's normal. If rtabs are gone you'll feel your car get sideways when you upshift fast and floor it. Just drive gently for the next month or so.

[blackongrey]

I remember something about the eccentric bolt wearing out, it's the inner bolt for the control arm. Fly said something about it causing an issue.

edit: Was driving tonight and realized my rear end is loose. I think my RTABS are shot. Thanks. Should I go poly? I'm not going to press them so I'll go poly.

[fahdyehia628]

what is wearing your tires is excessive toe ... not the camber

Rtabs aren't that bad to replace and they are cheap !!!

[pussiwillow]

Go poly, I went power flex and they popped right in and have built in limiters to the design, really brought the rear end together, little stiffer but I like a rigid ride

[plastichero]

Thanks all, I got the new RTABS. Now, the rear end is not that loose, I feel safe with that.

But, the angle of the rear wheels ( / \ instead of | | ) remains. It freaks me out when I see the inside of the rear tires are almost flat after 3.5K miles, although front ones are as good as new(changed same time). WHAT NEXT? :(

[UnderCoverGuy11]

Thanks all, I got the new RTABS. Now, the rear end is not that loose, I feel safe with that.

But, the angle of the rear wheels ( / \ instead of | | ) remains. It freaks me out when I see the inside of the rear tires are almost flat after 3.5K miles, although front ones are as good as new(changed same time). WHAT NEXT? :(

The camber is okay, google around and you'll see it's normal. All e36's have that "angle". As long as your RTAB's are new you'll see less wear on the tires. Majority of that wear came from your bad RTAB's

[plastichero]

The camber is okay, google around and you'll see it's normal. All e36's have that "angle". As long as your RTAB's are new you'll see less wear on the tires. Majority of that wear came from your bad RTAB's

I really hope so. See the picture above. Literally the car is sitting on the inside corner of the rear tires.

Can anyone suggest me what tire pressure I should use on the rear ones?

[weedshoes]

about 35psi on the rear. camber alone won't wear the tires too fast. its the unstable toe caused by the bad rtab making the tire push and drag, which causes excessive wear.

[plastichero]

about 35psi on the rear. camber alone won't wear the tires too fast. its the unstable toe caused by the bad rtab making the tire push and drag, which causes excessive wear.

Thanks. I use around ~35psi. Look at this picture:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7679266670_7d77dda84b_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/)
IMG_2664 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/) by ছায়ালীন (http://www.flickr.com/people/onushilon/), on Flickr

It has 35psi around. But look at how it's sitting only on the inside corner.

[r33p04s]

looks a lot better...did you get an alignment too?

[mwood]

your car looks like it is sitting uneven - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679267860/in/photostream/

[UnderCoverGuy11]

your car looks like it is sitting uneven - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679267860/in/photostream/

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff495/rhymegrime/7679267860_76616d3368_k-3.jpg

Aligned with grid and it looks fine however. I think the camera was just off

[plastichero]

No, I didn't get the alignment yet. Last time(before new RTABs) alignment guys said they could not do it because of the bad RTABs or may be something(spindle perhaps) is bent otherwise. I'll go tomorrow, let's see what they have to say this time.


your car looks like it is sitting uneven - http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679267860/in/photostream/

You are right actually. The right side sits a little lower than the left side.

[Sallad]

If you wanted to adjust your rear camber, just get an 18mm socket and wrench and turn the bottom control arm bolt 45 deg. Then retighten it. Just make sure you have the suspension preloaded before you do a final tighten.

[weedshoes]

Thanks. I use around ~35psi. Look at this picture:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7679266670_7d77dda84b_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/)
IMG_2664 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/onushilon/7679266670/) by ছায়ালীন (http://www.flickr.com/people/onushilon/), on Flickr

It has 35psi around. But look at how it's sitting only on the inside corner.

rolling on the inside of the tire should't wear it significantly faster than the rest of the tire, rolling is fine. But when the bad rtabs allow for the toe to be all over the place, the tire is no longer rolling straight, it is being dragged/pushed along the inside and wearing it.