Member
I am starting to gather everything I'll need to restore the rear suspension on the M. I was reading that you can use the same tool for the RTABs and the subframe bushings. Is this true? I will not use heat and I will be replacing everything with OEM parts.
I was looking at this tool:
http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...xIMaAg6S8P8HAQ
It would be awesome if I could use this for the subframe mounts too. Anyone have any experience with this?
What do you guys use to press the differential bushings in?
Thanks guys
Member
For the RTABs I used this: http://www.bimmerworld.com/E36-E46-T...hing-Tool.html
For the other bushings, I bought a bushing kit off Amazon. I used to remove only as I replaced with AKG Poly which, generally, does not need much more than a rubber mallet to install.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
There are lots of bushing kits out there (Amazon, Harbor Freight, etc.).
Member
Do you think you could use the tools from amazon to install new bushings? How nicely did they remove the bushing?Originally Posted by JitteryJoe
Member
I talked to a shop a couple weeks ago about pressing bushings in for me.
Minimum 1 hr charge or around $100. More than I was expecting.
I'm tempted to get a 20 ton press from Harbor Freight for $179.
1997 M3/4/5 Slicktop
1991 318iC
Member
I haven't done subframe bushings, but used a tool identical to the one Joe linked for the RTABs. Worked amazingly well.
1998 Titanium/Dove M3/4/5
2020 Toyota 4Runner
Member
It was a bit fiddly. Generally it worked fine to get the bushes out so I suspect it would work getting them in. Not really intuitive how to assemble the parts to make it work. There is a guide that indicates with parts of the kit to use on which bush.
The RTAB tool works easy.
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I have the HF 20 ton press. I used it to press in the rear wheel bearings and new ball joint on the front control arm.
It is awkward to use. You have to have various pieces of short steel plumbing pipe or very large sockets to either support the piece receiving the pressed in part, or the part being pressed in.
None of these parts are flat and sit nicely on the press.
Senior Moment Member
BMW E36 M3 Expert
I've got the front and rear control arm bushing tools. I've been known to rent them...
No matter where you go, there you are...
Member
That is my hesitation. Several tools would be ideal, press, RTAB tool, etc. Then you're in $300 bucks + for tools you will use once a decade.
1997 M3/4/5 Slicktop
1991 318iC
Senior Moment Member
BMW E36 M3 Expert
Lol... $300... lol. Is that all?
No matter where you go, there you are...
Member
I've seen people remove the bushings with an air chisel hammer and put them back in with the bushing rental kits from Advance Auto Parts/etc.
Senior Moment Member
BMW E36 M3 Expert
Yes, it CAN be done, but using the correct tool really does make it a pretty simple job. You can replace the RTAB and the ball joints on the car. The FCAB is a 10 min deal of you have a new bushing and lollipop maybe 20 if you have a press and have to reuse the lollipop.
Serilously, just see if you can borrow or rent the correct tools.
No matter where you go, there you are...
Member
This /\
The correct tools makes it a whole lot easier and less prone to damaging something. And buying them is overkill in most cases.
Last edited by JitteryJoe; 01-12-2017 at 10:12 AM.
Member
Exactly hence why I just spent the money on a comprehensive RTAB/ball joint tool for the E36.
What's blowing my mind is that a subframe or differential mount tool simply doesn't exist for the E36. They have both for the E39 which has a significantly smaller enthusiast/racer following which confuses me. I rented tools for both the subframe and differential bushings for my E39 from members on M5board and they allowed me to swap the subframe bushings with the subframe in the car in about 2.5 hours for all four, same with the subframe bushings. The tools worked flawlessly and no heat was necessary.
Last edited by cohny; 01-12-2017 at 10:35 AM.
Member
Yeah, that was conservative.
I'm in complete agreement about having the right tools for the job. Renting the tools is probably the cost effective answer.
1997 M3/4/5 Slicktop
1991 318iC
Member
ECS has one for $80, which isn't terrible. You could also probably fabricate something similar if you have the equipment and inclination.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../020610sch01a/
Member
It's easier to fab up a tool for the diff bushings. Decent all thread, some coupling nuts, and assortment of steel disks and *large* sockets. Only two of them were a PITA, spend more time making a plate to ensure that the socket was square to surface.
Last edited by OKsweetrides; 01-12-2017 at 05:47 PM.
1998 M3 Sedan - LS3 M12T56 - A bad addiction.
Member
Ok for the rear subframe bushings I literally torched the outside metal and smacked it out with a hammer and socket. Didn't even have to hit it hard it just slid out. I bet the same can be done with a 20$ map gas torch. I could be wrong though it was just so easy with heat.
Member
See ya later,
tony
'98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T
Member
What kit is that? Does it work for the subframe and differential bushings? Do you rent it?
Member
Universal MuellerKueps bearing and bushing kit. Work on most everything up to about 3 inches.
See ya later,
tony
'98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T
Member
Have you used it on an E36?
Edit: nevermind that kit is very nice and very expensive. I think I am going to fabricate some tools for them.
Last edited by cohny; 01-16-2017 at 04:57 PM.
Member
I did a suspension overhaul a couple of years ago and elected to burn out the old sub-frame bushings.
I already had an RTAB tool (similar to the bimmerworld one), so I made custom fittings that would allow me to use the RTAB tool to install the new sub-frame bushings. It probably wasn't ideal and took a little time, but it can be done.
Member
Yes, but with some mods and 'homemade' drifts to pull the bushings through the openings. The trick is buy the kit that has almost everything, modify what needs to be changed to make it work, label it, then replace the original part. You end up with a kit that has some very interesting additional components.
See ya later,
tony
'98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T
Instructor
I just this this job on both E36s and used a combination of the following tools:
http://www.harborfreight.com/front-w...ers-63260.html
https://www.amazon.com/Bushing-Bushe...6+bushing+tool
I had to use a socket to support the outside cylinder on two of the subframe bushings. The subframe only allow support on one side of the bushing. Some people use a screw driver to 'Jam' the outside cylinder.
I replaced the front diff bushing but not the two rears although I feel they would be easy since they are not very deep.
There does not seam to have a decently priced set for doityourselfers...
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Last edited by Franky goes; 01-16-2017 at 11:22 PM.
Member
Hey. I did the rtab bushings and outer arm bushings last week. I used the amazon kit that is mentioned in many posts. Worked great. I needed a couple of the videos to figure it out. But the videos did not exactly match the kit that I used. See photo. For removal of outer bushings I had to use the threaded rod. Not the other rod with nut attached. Also, I removed the rear calipers, tool would not fit correctly otherwise. 97 M3
If you are in the Denver area, borrow the tool from me, please.
rta bushing tool.jpg
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