dans_coupe Posted July 13, 2010 Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 Cheers mate, so the 'eyelet' bushes are called Front Rear Control Bushes and they are whats bein discussed in here? yeah theyre thieves lol a fella in y work who used to work for bm as a techy said its because when they do this job they do a real indepth special type of 4 wheel allignment which IS NOT neccecary but BMW say it is. bar stuards lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Court Posted July 14, 2010 Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 I Don't know why they told you eyelet? But I can say that I didn't need my front wheels realligning, as all I did was the following. 1) Jack Car up (Wheels Left On Use Axle Stands too) 2) Remove Engine Covers 2 off 3) Undo Left Rear bush (2 Bolts) pull off with Hub Puller 4) Push new bush on wishbone and refit the bolts. 5) Repeat 3 & 4 for the other side. 6) Refit panels and lower car. The allignment only needs to be done if you remove the wishbone completely, but in this case you can do it in situ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted July 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2010 Well, Top DIY Guide! I did this DIY over the weekend and all I can say that this was my first mod. Coming from a VW to BMW, the difference in the way they are built is amazing. To do the wishbone bushes on the Golf was a nightmare. But BMW thought everything through, really easy. My only grip was this car is heavy to jack! No worries dude. How are you enjoying the BMW fold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Court Posted July 15, 2010 Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 No worries dude. How are you enjoying the BMW fold? Thanks Keith Yeah I'm enjoying the BMW fold, just trying to get to know people and explore the cars capabilities. But loving it all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_S Posted August 1, 2010 Report Share Posted August 1, 2010 Another helpful writeup, the hack saw worked a treat, when I came to pressing in the powerflex bushes I hadn't got a vice big enough for the job and getting them in was not a simple task so I thought I'd post this tip as whilst scouting around for things to try, I thought about using the car as a press, fortunately I had a 2 1/2 inch pipe cap which I made use of also. This made pressing the brushes in really simple, pressed in, in under a minute. You'll need a car jack, some washing up liquid, the lollipop, powerflex bush and a 2 1/2 inch pipe cap or something suitable to rest the bracket on to do the remaining of the pressing. Smear washing up liquid on edge of bush and assemble between car jack and jacking point Jack car up and the bush will press in Now I got my 2 1/2 inch pipe cap to finish the job, of course you could use this to start with and press the bush completely through in one go, but I like to do it in two stages to check everything looks good... All done Been for a test drive and the car feels great, I am pleased, thanks for the writeup Keith! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich2302 Posted August 3, 2010 Report Share Posted August 3, 2010 In case anyone is interested, I have a 10 ton press at home and a big vice, so if you're anywhere near Chobham in Surrey, drop me a message and you can use that to press the bushes in and out. Thanks Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperYeti Posted August 21, 2010 Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 Another helpful writeup, the hack saw worked a treat, when I came to pressing in the powerflex bushes I hadn't got a vice big enough for the job and getting them in was not a simple task so I thought I'd post this tip as whilst scouting around for things to try, I thought about using the car as a press, fortunately I had a 2 1/2 inch pipe cap which I made use of also. This made pressing the brushes in really simple, pressed in, in under a minute. You'll need a car jack, some washing up liquid, the lollipop, powerflex bush and a 2 1/2 inch pipe cap or something suitable to rest the bracket on to do the remaining of the pressing. Smear washing up liquid on edge of bush and assemble between car jack and jacking point Jack car up and the bush will press in Now I got my 2 1/2 inch pipe cap to finish the job, of course you could use this to start with and press the bush completely through in one go, but I like to do it in two stages to check everything looks good... All done Been for a test drive and the car feels great, I am pleased, thanks for the writeup Keith! DOOOOOOOOOOOOD i first tried pressing them in with the balljoint press today, and was having issues getting started, when i remembered reading a couple other guys had used the jack method. Worked like a charm to get em 1/2 way and seated, then was a breeze to finish off with the Balljoint press. KUDOS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted August 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2010 Neil - top tip there mate! Excellent Wrighty74 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan 24v Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 Thats a great way of doing them with the car jack!!! I changed mine the other day with OE ones and they were a tw*t to get the new ones on!!! I also forgot to take my pullers to my mates with me so we used a bit of gentle persuasion and they weren't too bad to get the old ones off Car feels loads better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayP07 Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 Great guide mate - Nice One!!! - Hopefully i'll never have to use it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdisk Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Very well done, Kieth !! I intend to do mine (323Ci, July 2000) next week, (28-31 Dec) now that my Christmas getaway has been Heathrowed, if I can get the parts. I will put Powerflex in, but how do I tell exactly which ones I have if the VIN number is no good. I have had probs with parts before, as it is right on the edge of change of parts.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted December 24, 2010 Report Share Posted December 24, 2010 Thanks for this Keith. I did mine following your guide back in Sept and it made it so easy. I would have never attempted this without a guide so you saved me a few quid mate Mine were really shot and the way it drives now compared to before is unbelievable. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluminusbutterfly Posted December 25, 2010 Report Share Posted December 25, 2010 Can't you use a blowtorch to burn away the old bushes rather than trying to use a puller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcfly Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 Can anyone tell me if fitting Powerflex bushes makes the car ride more harshly? Im worried that some of the compliance will be lost by moving away from rubber bushings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdisk Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Done mine now, and used Powerflex bushes. I thought the ball joints were starting to go as well, as there was a lot of play at the steering wheel at 40MPH+, almost a couple of inches, but no knocking noises over potholes. So I got a new pair of front control arms, not cheap. When I got it apart, there was no play in the ball joints, so I did not change them, only did the bushes. It is now 98% better, no play at the wheel. But it feels a little bit "soft" at straight ahead, its difficault to describe, on a bad surface, it will ever so slightly move over, unless I am over critical. I have just discovered there is Powerflex, and there is Superflex, two different companies with a similar product, but Superflex look a bit like the OEM parts, and cost more, but are poly bushes in metal sleves and I think require pressing in like OEMs. Anyone else had experience of both ?? No I wont sell the unused arms, I will need them in the future, as I will keep my favourite ever car!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 I've had powerflex bushes fitted today. I chose not to get my hands dirty, instead i paid Onkar an hours labour & stood sipping coffee whilst they were fitted = Win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcfly Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 I've had powerflex bushes fitted today. I chose not to get my hands dirty, instead i paid Onkar an hours labour & stood sipping coffee whilst they were fitted = Win Whats the verdict?.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Whats the verdict?.... As others have said, the front end does feel a little tighter in the bends. I've only driven a couple of miles since they were fitted, so i'll give a more informed opinion after a few more days Definitely worth doing though Fella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) You will be amazed what a set of worn out bushes does to your handling and braking. Mine were warn out and after shelling out for replacement ones over a year ago decided to go for powerflex ones this time and everything is all good. They are a little stiffer over OEM but as Daz pointed out makes the car a lot tighter and they won't wear out as quick as the OEM ones. Edited January 14, 2011 by DJ Syxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdisk Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Had a 4 wheel alignment check done today. It showed up that the front was in spec, except left toe in was a bit to the left, and "steer ahead" was a bit to the left as well. The real problem was at the back, it showed that just about everything was out of spec, the effect being that the left suspension was steering to the right,and the right suspension steering to the left. The man said they were fighting each other! Although I said I only wanted a check, they did adjust it all, dont know how yet, that cost £90 !!!! !!!! I have to admit, its now even better, its now as tight as I expected, and that strange feel has gone. I think the rear rubber bushes might be on their way out, and this has just compensated for that, but they will have to be done before too long Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spawn Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Can't you use a blowtorch to burn away the old bushes rather than trying to use a puller? NO dont do this, i did today forgetting they are oil filled bushes after 2 mins the bush exploded and caught the underneath of my car on fire! lucky i had a fire extinguisher to hand...lol Use a puller! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiksilver_TR Posted December 28, 2011 Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 Nice guide. Discovered today that I need to replace my control arm bushes due to some play in the drivers side one. This looks much easier than the French lower control arms I have don't in the past. Are all the control bushes the same? i.e: are there any difference between a bush and holder for a 325 compared to the same items for a 325 ci m sport?? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sim Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 spam back to topic, did mine as the first job when i bought my e46 best mod yet, and anyone who says their too stiff etc are just being old man cynical their fine and stops the car from wallowing about done 3 sets now for mates and not one bad thing has been said about them if anyone would like a hand around the north west id be quite happy to help out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebgreen Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 spam back to topic, did mine as the first job when i bought my e46 best mod yet, and anyone who says their too stiff etc are just being old man cynical their fine and stops the car from wallowing about done 3 sets now for mates and not one bad thing has been said about them if anyone would like a hand around the north west id be quite happy to help out What did you use to get the old ones off? Puller? Where from? Wanting to do it but can't seem to find a puller. Don't now which one to choose on machine mart website. Where in the north west are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twist944 Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 As others have said, the front end does feel a little tighter in the bends. I've only driven a couple of miles since they were fitted, so i'll give a more informed opinion after a few more days Definitely worth doing though Fella Been a week or so now Daz, how are they? Also, anyone who has had the powerflex ones on for a while (20k plus?) are they still performing well? I have read reviews that they show signs of wear pretty quickly. Its a toss up for me between the powerflex (buying out of mount £40ish or with a mount £80ish) or the Meyle HD (come with mounts for about £50). I dont think i'll attempt it myself, and as the car will need tracking afterwards I may as well just get the garage to do the lot for a couple of hours labour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
