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Thread: 540i rear subframe work

  1. #1
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    540i rear subframe work

    Hey guys back again. So I've noticed quite a bit of rear steer and general slop/noise from the backend.

    When I had the chance to inspect it the other week it seemed like if I grabbed the subframe with one hand and pulled/pushed it would move a noticeable amount. The rubber seemed to be all there.

    I didn't notice the same amount of play from the semi trailing arms. So it seems to me the subframe must be the culprit.

    Now here are my questions to the general population, I'm thinking it would be relatively easy to drop the rear suspension. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it, but it seems like I could disconnect the brake lines, dog bones, shocks, driveshaft and two subframe mounts and drop everything.

    What else should I do with the rear suspension on the ground? Is it a lot easier to trailing arm bushings? Opinions on aftermarket?

    Are the dif bushings that much easier to do? Opinions on aftermarket?

    Thinking about grabbing a set of ss brake lines as I noticed the fronts are badly cracked and I drive this thing at pretty high speed... Would hate to have the pedal sink to the floor going 100+

    Let me know what your thoughts are guys I'd like to start ordering stuff tomorrow and Monday.

    Happy motoring

  2. #2
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Rear subframe side mounts (there's a third mount in the rear center) are a common failure point on the E34. To replace them, the subframe only has to be lowered; it need not be removed completely. Depending on corrosion levels they can be quite a pain to remove, mainly due to the mounting stud that is pressed through the body from under the rear seat. You'll need to use a puller with fairly big attachments to extract them from the subframe (known in the parts catalog as "axle carrier").

    Use dish soap putting them back in. Also look into delrin reinforcement plates (somebody makes them) to reduce subframe movement. Also, given what you're doing to the front suspension, you might consider polyurethane subframe mounts.

    The diff mounts? I'd leave them alone if they aren't worn. Center mount? 50/50. Trailing arm bushings? Yes, do replace those; regardless of miles, that rubber is pretty worn by this kind of mileage, and unlike the diff and center mounts it gets moved around significantly in use.

  3. #3
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    Dropping the rear subframe assembly is pretty slick if you want to replace all of that rubber/wearables. Just doing the subframe "soda cans" is super doable without dropping the subframe, though.
    - Brent
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    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  4. #4
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    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_0219

    I'm not seeing the third mount in the picture what number is it?
    Does the differential also have three mounts?

  5. #5
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    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    For whatever reason, it's in a different diagram. Part 9, PN 33311132251. The diff-to-subframe mounts are three: 2x 33171131903 and 1x 33171140308.

    My best guess as to why Part 17 in your diagram is greyed out is that it's a spacer for the Osteuropäische Scheißestraßeanlage - Eastern European Shit Roads Package. But I cannot confirm.
    Last edited by moroza; 07-17-2017 at 11:05 PM.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    .

    My best guess as to why Part 17 in your diagram is greyed out is that it's a spacer for the Osteuropäische Scheißestraßeanlage - Eastern European Shit Roads Package. But I cannot confirm.
    That's the most beautiful paragraph I've ever laid eyes on...

    Thanks for the help guys much appreciated will be ordering subframe bushings tomorrow. Probably will hold off on the trailing arms and dif. I have to tackle my oil leak and PS leak so that I can install my revshift motor mounts and Moosehead bearings without fear of oil destroying them. Probably will take the lines to a hydraulic shop and ask them to replicate. Ch11s is what these cars run correct?

  7. #7
    moroza's Avatar
    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Oil is bad for bushings but good for bearings.

    Some of these cars had PS systems using CH11, others had Dexron III ATF. I believe they used the same hardware for both setups - same pumps, seals, boxes, and lines. They are chemically incompatible but perhaps possible to switch; Search for details. If possible, I'd definitely use Dexron 3 (did you know that Dexron 1, the original, used whale oil?) because it's a hell of a lot cheaper and easier to find.
    Last edited by moroza; 07-18-2017 at 01:07 AM.

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    I usually use atf for my bimmers but yeah... Definitely not compatible, you just have to make sure to flush everything well before switching, sometimes axacerbates leaks though

    We have a ton of factory fill fluids at the shop so I was just curious what they came with... I guess whatever the previous owner or owners mechanic decided to use lol
    Last edited by Billyj; 07-18-2017 at 01:07 AM.

  9. #9
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    moroza is offline MORΩN ΛABIA BMW CCA Member
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    Depending on the PO's cluelessness, they may have used "Power Steering Fluid". That would explain your leaks (though age would, too).

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    Isn't the rule of thumb that the plastic cap reservoir uses ATF and the larger metal lid ones with separate knob and strainer basket use Pentosin?

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by ross1 View Post
    Isn't the rule of thumb that the plastic cap reservoir uses ATF and the larger metal lid ones with separate knob and strainer basket use Pentosin?
    Maybe on the e34 but I've seen E36 with plastic caps that have pentosin

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    Quote Originally Posted by ross1 View Post
    Isn't the rule of thumb that the plastic cap reservoir uses ATF and the larger metal lid ones with separate knob and strainer basket use Pentosin?
    Not exactly. I believe all 95 models use the small plastic tank and CHF11S.

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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    For whatever reason, it's in a different diagram. Part 9, PN 33311132251. The diff-to-subframe mounts are three: 2x 33171131903 and 1x 33171140308.

    .
    Wait part #9 is the differential mount... I can't find the remaining subframe mounts. I see two of them with part # 33311128670

    - - - Updated - - -

    33171131903 is this the other two mount?

    Or am I misunderstanding? Are there two soda can mounts for the subframe to chassis, three mounts for dif to subframe and then one mount from dif to chassis?
    Last edited by Billyj; 07-18-2017 at 02:40 PM.

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    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  15. #15
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    So two vertical and two horizontal subframe mounts?

    Moroza listed that bushing as a dif to subframe bushing, the one highlighted in red
    Last edited by Billyj; 07-18-2017 at 03:04 PM.

  16. #16
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    1x 33311132251 is the center subframe-to-body
    2x 33311128670 is the side subframe-to-body, the "soda cans"
    There is no direct diff-to-body.
    2x 33171131903 is the side diff-to-subframe
    1x 33171140308 is the front diff-to-subframe

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    1x 33311132251 is the center subframe-to-body
    2x 33311128670 is the side subframe-to-body, the "soda cans"
    There is no direct diff-to-body.
    2x 33171131903 is the side diff-to-subframe
    1x 33171140308 is the front diff-to-subframe
    That's where the confusion set in, 33311132251 mounts to the differential is that correct? And mounts the differential/subframe assembly to the body ?

    I had my car on the lift after work today and it felt like that center mount was on the dif housing. I don't want to come across as helpless or lazy just confused lmao
    Last edited by Billyj; 07-19-2017 at 02:28 AM.

  18. #18
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    Like I said, there is no direct diff-to-body mount. ...251 mounts to the subframe and connects it to the body.

  19. #19
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    Having a little bit of trouble sourcing the center dif mount and center subframe mount. Worldpac shoes them as nla

    Bought a bunch of rearend parts, all the PS hoses and the valve cover gaskets.

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    No luck with BMW?

    Looks like Pelican is offering it.
    I hope you can get a kiss first;
    Rubber Mount for Rear Axle Carrier 33-17-1-140-308-BOE Genuine BMWfrom Pelican Parts
    Genuine BMW Rubber Mount for Rear Axle Carrier
    See more details at Pelican Parts »

    $110.00
    Free shipping. No tax
    Pelican Parts

    Shop









    Last edited by ross1; 07-20-2017 at 09:55 AM.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

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    I've ordered thousands of $ from Pelican, and many times love how many manufacturers of a given part they stock, but for BMW OEM it's hard to beat BMWMinipartstore.

    To save time looking for these parts (once you nail down the P/N), try: http://furiousmethod.com/

    Pretty handy.
    - Brent
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    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  22. #22
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    Thanks for h replies and help guys. I called our BMW supplier and they have 251 for like 150 retail and 308 for like 130 retail. Probably will order them and hope that my shops price is closer to $80 each

  23. #23
    moroza's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BleedsBlue View Post
    I've ordered thousands of $ from Pelican, and many times love how many manufacturers of a given part they stock, but for BMW OEM it's hard to beat BMWMinipartstore.

    To save time looking for these parts (once you nail down the P/N), try: http://furiousmethod.com/

    Pretty handy.
    Useful site, clunky interface (on my settings).

    That center diff mount is a flippin' rip-off. No way a rubber bushing should be even half that. The center subframe mount is more complex.

  24. #24
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    I guess I'm saying our distributor doesn't list any aftermarket available. Genuine BMW only; my discount on lemforder, Febi, meyle etc is more dramatic than BMW parts. So I guess I was just wondering if anyone knew of an aftermarket option... Sounds like no

    I had two tubes of 3M windshield urethane delivered today. Planning on filling my stock bushings as much as possible.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by moroza View Post
    Useful site, clunky interface (on my settings).
    I basically used it a few times years ago, until I found out BMWMinipartstore undercut basically everyone for OEM parts. Now I only shop Pelican, ECS, etc, if I want OE, not OEM. FCP is good too.
    - Brent
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    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

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