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Thread: Control Arm Bushings

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    South Carolina
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    79
    My Cars
    1986 325e 2001 330ci

    Control Arm Bushings

    I read the DIY about pressing out the old ones and pressing in the new ones. I did that but getting the pressed in bushing onto the control arm....yeah....

    So far I've tried lubricating the arm and twisting the bushing on it. It's a new Lemforder control arm and the bushing that came with the set. I can't even get it on the shaft to level much less all the way in.


    Anyone got some tips on that?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,775
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Control Arm Bushings

    Either the proper FLCABushing tool, a homemade variant or a dead blow hammer and a deep socket/dead blow hammer…and dish soap


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 11-05-2018 at 11:06 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Joliet,IL
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    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    What did you use to lubricate it? I think I have used WD-40 and possibly armor all, otherwise dish soap/water

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
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    KS
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    e24e30e36e39e90
    I used my 13 year old son and a floor jack. But any helper will do. Set the lollipop on top of the floor jack, sitting on a pvc pipe or anything that will allow the control arm to poke through. I pushed the control arm into the bushing with all my strength and weight while my son pumped up the jack. Easy peasy. Unfortunately I had already wasted a lot of time with other methods of trying to get it on. I used dish soap as a lubricant.
    Last edited by sienayr; 11-05-2018 at 06:12 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Wake Forest
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    355
    My Cars
    2004 525i, 1985 325E
    Put the bushings in the freezer overnight, or at least for a few hours. A piece of threaded rod, some fender washers and nuts worked for me.
    2004 525i Sport, Manual - 1985 325E Coupe Manual

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
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    No e30s, again :(
    i think they are talking about putting the lollipop bushing onto the actual control arm, not the one into the lollipop.
    No e30s again.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Joliet,IL
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    1,121
    My Cars
    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    I had the best luck connecting the control arm to the car first at the inner/outer ball joints, then lubricating the stub and rubber bushing, twisting it round until the bushing is indexed

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    492
    My Cars
    e30s
    I put the control arm in a vice. Lathered on dish soap or equivelant on the shaft of the control arm and in hole of the bushing. the first time around I could barely get it over the end. I pulled it off and the 2nd attemp with a twisting and pushing motion it slid over the control arm shaft. Done. works everytime since.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    79
    My Cars
    1986 325e 2001 330ci
    The problem is I broke the ball socket in my right arm and can no longer put all my weight against something. So I just took it to a Russian shop that repairs BMW and they got a guy that looks like a bear in a jumpsuit. He chucked it up in a 6 inch vise and when examining the control arm said "Is usually smooth not have ridges"

    He then pushed so hard the bench started moving and they went right on.

    $20 later and I'm ready to go

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    ha ha ha, thats a funny story but at least it was cheap
    No e30s again.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
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    Officially in Tampa
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    87 Cabrio & 87 ETA
    This should really be done with the CA already bolted to the subframe since you have very little time to get the car on the ground so the CAB can find it's neutral state on the CA before your lube dries. The bushing sets to the CA and will not rotate once it's dry so if it dries out of place it becomes preloaded and will self destruct long before you'd like it to.

    just sayin
    87 Zinno Cabrio 98k Barn Find. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=268987
    87 Lachsilber ETA Time Capsule. bought w 125k from 87yo original owner

    Cabrio deck lid & hinge struts (w sleeves) now for sale. See the link below for more info

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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    South Carolina
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    My Cars
    1986 325e 2001 330ci
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeffnhiscars View Post
    This should really be done with the CA already bolted to the subframe since you have very little time to get the car on the ground so the CAB can find it's neutral state on the CA before your lube dries. The bushing sets to the CA and will not rotate once it's dry so if it dries out of place it becomes preloaded and will self destruct long before you'd like it to.

    just sayin
    Thanks

    I see your point. I just got back to the project and am trying to break it free with penetrating oil

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Seattle
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    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by clovett View Post
    Thanks

    I see your point. I just got back to the project and am trying to break it free with penetrating oil
    Don’t use oil!! LOL!!! Pull the ‘lolly pop’ off and reinstall with dish soap.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    South Carolina
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    1986 325e 2001 330ci
    Thanks for the input guys. When I had the shop put these on I took the originals and laid them side by side. It was so close to perfect it didn't matter

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Officially in Tampa
    Posts
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    My Cars
    87 Cabrio & 87 ETA
    If you are concerned that they may be preloaded take a map torch and VERY gently warm the CA (not the bushing). This will relax it enough for it to reset....and DO NOT melt the damn thing !!
    87 Zinno Cabrio 98k Barn Find. Build thread http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=268987
    87 Lachsilber ETA Time Capsule. bought w 125k from 87yo original owner

    Cabrio deck lid & hinge struts (w sleeves) now for sale. See the link below for more info

    New "made in Europe" seat shocks. PM for details
    http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ot-Seat-Shocks

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