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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 773
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Replacing trailing arm bushings
Hello,
I am cosidering changing the trailing arm bushings on my 1990 325iC. Does anyone know whether I would have to remove the drive axels / CV-joints in order to get to these bushings? Thank you! |
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11-16-2004, 04:57 AM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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It is much easier to remove the trailing arms completely... I reccomend you also replace the subframe bushings at the same time... It isnt an easy job.... I have a tech article on how to do it... email me...
jared@pelicanparts.com |
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11-16-2004, 07:59 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 773
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Anything else I should change while I am in that general area?
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11-16-2004, 10:34 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 773
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Jared,
I can see there is no getting around removing the drive axles for getting access to everything else (bummer). What do you think about removing it by keeping the outside CV joint and the shaft in place and simply disconnecting the inside CV joint from the differential? In other words, the trailing arm would come out with the drive axle assembly. Is that feasible? I just don't have the special tools needed nor do I have much desire to press out the rear stub axle from the wheel hub in order to remove the axle shaft. Could you please also e-mail me that tech article on replacing these trailing arm bushings? Thanks a lot. |
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11-17-2004, 02:01 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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I dont reccommend you do this. You might as well change the rear wheel bearings while you are at it.. If you atre going to do it, do it right the first time... Remove the differential, drive axles, trailing arms and subframe. Replace all bushings and bearings.
Like i said, it's not an easy nor fun job.. hence why you should do it all at once... Make sure you also buy the Bentley manual and read up on how to correctly set the trailing arm bushings to set the correct rear camber. Good luck... you'll need it.. |
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11-20-2004, 09:22 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 4
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I just did this on my 325is. I dropped the entire rear subframe + diff + trailing arms out as a unit. I have heard of and seen pics of folks removing just the trailing arm + drive axle as one unit as you have described, however you are going to have to lower the subframe in order to remove the trailing arm bolts anyway, and if you are going to do that you might as well do as Jared said and do it all. I also did the diff bushing while I had it down.
I will say that I will never do this job again. Well worth it to just pay someone to do it  But then again I live in the rust belt...if your car has only seen sunny days then you might have an easier time of it.I used a lot of tools. Do you have air? Air compressor and an air chisel will make things a lot easier. You'll also need a sawzall / reciprocating saw. I went through 3 blades. A heavy duty drill would be helpful. Other tools I used were a giant crowbar, a torch, a jig saw, a sledgehammer, a hacksaw, impact wrench and a whole bunch of other stuff....can you tell this job is NOT fun? It was the worst experience I have ever had working on cars (well, besides yesterday's brake fluid episode).
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11-30-2004, 11:28 PM
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