What's wrong with this picture.....?

[dva99999]

Me again!

Am I right in thinking that the powerflex bush for the Z3 is not a direct fit and that it needs to be modified a bit?

I've tried all afternoon to wedge/line up the holes. I've checked and rechecked the fitting and done exactly as it says but it still won't fit. I've jacked the car up/down, put a jack underneath the arm to raise it slightly, and the wheel on/off, and have given up.

Unless there is something I'm missing I'm stuck.....any help would be much appreciated, and if anyone lives around the Wirral area I'm sure there'll be a beer included.

Thank you.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Looks like the "new" bush holder has been drilled incorrectly. Why not remove the dead bush from your old one and fit the powerflex bush into it

 

[Brian H]

View attachment 37626 View attachment 37625 Me again!

Am I right in thinking that the powerflex bush for the Z3 is not a direct fit and that it needs to be modified a bit?

I've tried all afternoon to wedge/line up the holes. I've checked and rechecked the fitting and done exactly as it says but it still won't fit. I've jacked the car up/down, put a jack underneath the arm to raise it slightly, and the wheel on/off, and have given up.

Unless there is something I'm missing I'm stuck.....any help would be much appreciated, and if anyone lives around the Wirral area I'm sure there'll be a beer included.

Thank you.

Had this issue on my 1.9, had to modify the bushes a little to make it fit, I contacted powerflex and they did not seem interested, I'm sure I have a pic somewhere, if I find it I'll post it.

 

[dva99999]

Looks like the "new" bush holder has been drilled incorrectly. Why not remove the dead bush from your old one and fit the powerflex bush into it

The bush holder is the original....it's not clear as I used a mobile camera at an awkward angle.

The powerflex part number I used was PFF5-301. I've read somewhere that the bore needs cutting, but to me that seems a bodge job.

 

[Jack Ratt]

The bush holder is the original....it's not clear as I used a mobile camera at an awkward angle.

The powerflex part number I used was PFF5-301. I've read somewhere that the bore needs cutting, but to me that seems a bodge job.

Oh see what you mean now, so does the lip on the powerflex bush mean you cant line it up? Looks like you will have to modify the bush holder rather than removing the lip of the bush

 

[dva99999]

I've seen a YouTube video and there is comment from 2 years ago asking about the washer? It looks like the owner did not have a washer, which may be where I'm going wrong as I have fitted the washer. Unless it's absolutely necessary I'll leave it off to see if that helps, but I've emailed powerflex to see what they advise.

 

[Brian H]

I've seen a YouTube video and there is comment from 2 years ago asking about the washer? It looks like the owner did not have a washer, which may be where I'm going wrong as I have fitted the washer. Unless it's absolutely necessary I'll leave it off to see if that helps, but I've emailed powerflex to see what they advise.

Even with the washer off they will not fit, I ended up cutting a rebate out of mine approx 5mm deep, i used a hole saw to achieve the rebate. It was a compromise but at the time I had no other choice. Be interested to hear what powerflex say.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Didn't have that problem when I did mine a few weeks ago, don't know what the problem could be there.

 

[Antm72]

Just a quick question is the bush fitted into the mount properly ?
Looking at the markings on the body and the shape of the mount it looks to me to be possible be upside down?

 

[dva99999]

On the bush holder the holes each have a recess. The recess I'm assuming aligns with the holes on the car body as they protrude slightly. The shiny wearing on the holder arm is from the vice rubbing off the paint. (I had to look twice)

 

[Stevo7682]

If the recess are on the underside of holder as pictured then yes they are the right way up.
But I think I might know what wrong is it on the wrong side of the car

 

[Antm72]

If the recess are on the underside of holder as pictured then yes they are the right way up.
But I think I might know what wrong is it on the wrong side of the car

Thats the other thing but wasn't sure if both had been done at the same time.

 

[dva99999]

I haven't removed the other one yet.....am gonna go and have another go. I've seen a post on pistonheads and although I don't know if the OP has modified his one, it's pretty clear that the washer is in situ.

I'll kick myself if it turns out to be obvious.....

 

[Dickymint]

did mine and used them bushes and used the washer and they did need a podger to get them back in as they need to be pushing against the bush as its the only way it stays in there but they have been fine since

 

[NZ00Z3]

The bushing looks to be installed into the lollipop correctly.

I'ld be looking at the control arm:
- Is it bent?
- Has it be replaced with a control arm from another model of BMW which is closely correct but can't handle the 5 to 10 mm rearward offset of the lollipop caused by the Powerflex bushing lip?
- What markings does it have?
- Can they be cross referenced to confirm that its a Z3 arm?

 

[dva99999]

Done it. Someone on PH recommended using the trolley jack to help with the slack of the arm, then an earlier idea by dickymint of using a podger did the rest.
The right hand side was easier but that's probably because I knew what I was faced with.....

Thanks all

 

[Antm72]

Job well done perseverance paid off

 

[Stevo7682]

Well done you can't go far wrong with some brute force and ignorance sometimes