Beam bush removal.

[Eddie Zedder]

Nice to see all the informative threads going on for dropping the rear subframe.

I wondered if anyone had attempted beam bush removal with the subframe still in place.

I have seen a vid of an E30 being done this way, but the bush bolt set up is different as it can be removed from inside the car. I believe the Z3 bolt screws into the chassis and has to come out from underneath.

So can it be done? Would a BMW mechanic have dropped the subframe or would he have had special tools at his disposal to remove the bush in situ?

I might be tempted to have a go just to see if it can be done as I like a challenge .

 

[NZ00Z3]

You still need to drop the sub-frame down low enough to to fit your bushing puller through the bush and fit the nut on the top side of the bushing. You can do this just on the Z3M's as they have longer flexible brake hoses. On the normal Z3, you still have to disconnect stuff.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

The bolt does indeed screw into the underside of the body, if the bushes are totally gone you might be able to undo the bolt and drop it through the old bush, you've then got to get the rest of the old bush out and get the new one in, and get the bolt back in again. I wouldn't say it would be impossible, but it would be so awkward that it'd be easier by far to drop the subframe down and out and do it with loads of access.
Have a go, by all means, but be prepared to give up. By the time the frame is down enough to get to the bushes there wouldn't be much more to undo to get the whole lot out.
And while it's out a coat or two of paint wouldn't go amiss. Eh, Mr @Mazza ?