Rear suspension bearings/bushes

[8Tech]

We have been servicing and maintaining a few E31's over the past few months and we have found that of the cars we have never seen before, 9 of the last 11 have needed bushes either in the rear upper inner arm, the upper or lower bush in the knuckle or BOTH. With the inner bush on the upper arm only being available with the complete arm, this is an expensive bush. (PS whilst I describe it as a bush, it is in fact a bearing joint).

The bushes in the knuckle are also bearings but are reasonable cost.

We have found all of these despite full service histories and even recent handling investigations either by Main Dealers , Independant "specialists" and also annual vehicle MOT inspections.

So why are WE finding them? Essentially because I like to think we check the car PROPERLY, but my gut instinct tells me they are deliberately missed because they are such a B1tch to fit and garages do not want to fit them. Of ALL the cars we have fixed these on we have had very favourable reports of improved handling and stability.

Please spend some time and effort and check these yourself, a quick "wiggle" on the back wheel is really not good enough. Get a screwdriver in there and lever the bearing to see if there is any play in it. With the high cost of the upper arm and inner beaaring assy I am developing a polyurethane replacement for the inner bearing as here in the UK the arm is £188.00 ($300?) and a bush would be about £40-£50 per PAIR. I recommend retaining the bearing in the knuckles as at £36.00 each they are not too expensive.

I intend doing rear arms reconditioned, (ie powder coated and with poly bushes) here in the UK but will probably just supply bushes worldwide due to shipping costs. When/if development proves successful I will do a further post and would supply these to wuffer.net to add to the inventory.

Until then, please check these bushes. 2, 10 and 23 shown here.

[8eights]

Great heads up post, I just intalled new #2 and #10 this pass weekend, They were moving freely when unbolted. Real easy to check with the bottom shock unbolted, Mine were completely shot.

[Koizumi]

Thanks for the reminder. I gotta do mine soon. I'll install a CSi rear bar while I'm at it.

[Granite850i]

Great heads up post, I just intalled new #2 and #10 this pass weekend, They were moving freely when unbolted. Real easy to check with the bottom shock unbolted, Mine were completely shot.

Hey 8eights,

How easy was it to install these, and do you have any part numbers for these?

Cheers

[8eights]

Not hard at all, My suspersion is lowered so there was hardly any spring release pressure, It will certainly be more with a stock suspension, That was the hardest part, I only installed a total of 4 Bushings, I need to do more later but the ones i replaced were so bad, I could'nt get the rear aligned properly, Now the RT rear wheel is standing up straight and easy to align, Here's the diagram with part numbers, You might wanna cross reference the part numbers with Csi bushings to see if there's a difference in strength and fitment for your year, It's easier to cross reference at bmwfans, I should of done the same but it's much stronger and stands up straight now, Parts came from Gault.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...98&hg=33&fg=30

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http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E31/

[8Tech]

Just a little further advice, when you order your parts its good practice to order the nuts and bolts too. Some are eccentric. The reason is that when you have got all the way into the job, got half the back end of your car on the garage floor, you will get most upset if you find a seized bolt you need to drift out and in doing so, damage it and you cannot put the car back togather because of a bolt that your dealer does not carry.

[Chillax]

I know that we've been waiting months for the second one to arrive to my mech. One came in and we are still awaiting another. Glad to see you are working on a solution! the job won't get done until the second one arrives as its makes no sense to do one side and not the other at the same time. Good luck with that I will be interested in what comes of this!

[mjrgroup]

...I'll install a CSi rear bar while I'm at it.

Part # for the CSi rear bar? Are you referring to the CSi sway bar?

[rcrad6653]

You've been around here plenty long enough to be able to find the part number of a CSI rear sway bar..... But even so, it WILL NOT FIT on your '91. Your only option new is Kmac in Australia, and Dinan (88-94 750iL) for the front. Yes I'm saying that works on the front of our cars. I have one on my '92.

[Imndeep]

Just finished replacing all the spherical bearings/Bushings. It's not an easy job, especially replacing the bushes in the Hub assembly. You will need access to a press. For the DIY guys and gals I would rate this job as an 8. All the bushes are pressed in where if your wishbone bushing is shot then you have to order a new wish bone unless Gerry has something up his sleeve, The wishbone is $255 USD from Gault. I just replaced all my spherical bearings and wishbones. No fun at all. It's a lot of work but worth it. Like Koizumi said, it's agreat time to install the CSi rear sway bay or a aftermarket bar, depends on your year. While your Rear axle carrier is out clean it up with super clean and a pressure washer, what a difference that makes! Before:
After:

[ChrisFuture8]

Very nice clean up job. This reflects the meaning of "loving your car"!

Cheers,

Chris

[ManManinc]

That is a really nice job, I just got an alignment after replacing my front end stuff. The guy told me im a little loose back there, so it's somewhere at the top of the "to do" list.

[Imndeep]

Gerry,

You would be the man if you could find a replacable bearing/bushing for the wishbone. I still have my old ones, I can press them out and give you the dimensions if you'd like. If anyone can do it, you can!

[8Tech]

Gerry,

You would be the man if you could find a replacable bearing/bushing for the wishbone. I still have my old ones, I can press them out and give you the dimensions if you'd like. If anyone can do it, you can!

Already working on it with Powerflex. Will be offering replacement joints or exchange arms.

8Tech.

[mattsimis]

As per the other thread, how bout a tool to get the bushing out of the hub assembly!

[mjrgroup]

Just finished replacing all the spherical bearings/Bushings. It's not an easy job, especially replacing the bushes in the Hub assembly. You will need access to a press. For the DIY guys and gals I would rate this job as an 8. All the bushes are pressed in where if your wishbone bushing is shot then you have to order a new wish bone unless Gerry has something up his sleeve, The wishbone is $255 USD from Gault. I just replaced all my spherical bearings and wishbones. No fun at all. It's a lot of work but worth it. Like Koizumi said, it's agreat time to install the CSi rear sway bay or a aftermarket bar, depends on your year. While your Rear axle carrier is out clean it up with super clean and a pressure washer, what a difference that makes! Before:
After:

That looks mighty nice. If and when I do this, I'll replace the rear bar, subframe bushings, and differential with a 3.15. Spectacular work, it looks new.

[nigel marshall]

Already working on it with Powerflex. Will be offering replacement joints or exchange arms.

8Tech.

hi there please could you let me know how the developement of the bush is going as I am interested in this alternative to replacing the whole arm.
I have a 1991 850i
thanks
Nigel

[BlackBox Tuning]

uh...thread is two years old now, they're available on phoenix motorsport's website.

hi there please could you let me know how the developement of the bush is going as I am interested in this alternative to replacing the whole arm.
I have a 1991 850i
thanks
Nigel

[nigel marshall]

In actual fact
I have received an e mail today from Garry Spechley from
Phoenix motor sports who says that these parts are not
available from him. A guy was in touch with him a couple of
years ago from the BMW car club, trying to get these parts
available through Phoenix. So it looks like we will have to
continue buying complete arms from BMW.
regards
Nigel

[duje]

Try PM Wokke, I know for a fact that he has much cheaper solution.

[donegal1]

Already working on it with Powerflex. Will be offering replacement joints or exchange arms.

8Tech.

where are you in UK?

[Daz850]

where are you in UK?

They're in Camberley, Surrey Jim.

[wokke]

.........So it looks like we will have to
continue buying complete arms from BMW.
regards
Nigel

No




powder coated and new spherical bearing installed
€279,- per set on exchange basis plus shipping.

BTW, of course they can be coated in all kinds of different colors.

[NickF]

Wolf, I think I might love you

PM on its way...

[wokke]

Wolf, I think I might love you

PM on its way...

PM and email sent.
Cheers
Wolf