Folks, I've removed the rear suspension on my 2004 R53 to install poly bushings in the trailing arms and the control arms. The metal bushing sleeve on the original rubber bushings stay on the control arms but not the trailing arm. Who out there has installed poly bushings and can provide me guidance on how to REMOVE the control arm bushings (leaving the metal sleeve), and how to REMOVE the trailing arm bushing, metal sleeve included? Anyone have a link to an article with pics? Thanks.

 

Add me to the list of those interested in this topic.

 

Way Motor Works, do you guys burn the rubber bushings out of the rear control arm metal housings prior to installing poly versions? Looking for guidance here on the best removal method. Thanks.

 

Newtis.info shows using tool.

 

Minnie, I bounced out to newtis.info and found nothing for actually removing the bushings from the trailing arm and control arms on an R53. Would you provide a link, please? Thanks.

 

That wasn't a recent search so if you can't find it I probably won't either.

How about this https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ushings-431167

 

Minnie, thanks for the link but it details "front" control arm bushings, not rear. It also covers only installation and not removal. Plus, the front control arm bushings require removal of the sleeve as well. The rear control arm metal sleeves are not removed because the poly bushings install inside those sleeves. The stock rubber bushings have a strong adhesive that adheres them to the inner sleeve. I built a homemade bushing press from Grade 8 bolts, washers and nuts with no success. Those rubber bushings appear to be in there for the long haul. I have seen online videos where a torch was used to "melt" the rubber and ease removal, however, I don't have access to a torch nor do I want to set my house on fire. I do have access to a hydraulic press but I'm a bit afraid that I'll damage the metal sleeves in the control arms trying to remove the rubber bushings if I'm doing something wrong. I figured there must be someone on the forum that has gone through this as I have read a ton of posts from folks promoting poly bushings. I guess it's possible that all those people had the work done by a shop but there must be someone out there that did it themselves and can provide a simpler removal solution. Maybe WMW will come back tomorrow with the details. I hope so anyway.

 

I use a press and press out the entire old bushing with the rubber. Then I press in the new Powerflex aluminum sleeve and install the bushings. No burning or anything special.

 

Thanks, WMW.

 

I’ve burned out subframe bushings in a bmw. It’s a mess. Takes about an hour per bushing. Don’t do this while it’s on the car, obviously. It did get the job done. Used a simple propane torch from the hardware store.

if you can find a shop with a press, do.

 

Update: The poly bushings I bought did not come with the metal sleeve. When I tried pressing out the original rubber bushing the metal sleeve came with it. Burning didn't work either. Ended up drilling the rubber out. It took multiple holes (and I mean multiple) then some manipulation with the bit to eliminate as much of the rubber as possible before using a long socket to hammer out and remove the remainder (rubber plus center metal pivot). It then required a Dremel with an attached sanding drum to remove the leftover rubber clinging to the inside of the metal sleeves. First bushing took about 30 minutes but they became progressively quicker as I got the hang of it. Last one (there are 8) took maybe 5 minutes. Poly bushings are now installed in the rear control arms. Whew! Now just need to press out the trailing arm bushings because the metal sleeve is not required for that part. Then I get to put it all back together!

 

Pictures?

 

Here's a pic of the installed bushings, as well as the removed rubber bushings (you can also see the center metal pivot for the bolt). If you enlarge the pic, you can probably see the drill bit paths. The rubber is where the red is so you must drill multiple times around the pivot. I bought PSB poly bushings that are less expensive than Powerflex. The Powerflex do come with new sleeves but the difference in cost is >$100 - not sure the new sleeves are worth it. The new bushings slide in easily (a little gentle coaxing from a rubber hammer) with provided silicone lube. I'll update the forum when I get the trailing arm bushings installed and everything back on the car, have it aligned and test drive it. I'm anticipating a big difference since I had quite a bit of noise/looseness coming from the original rear bushings.

 

Nice work, sir

 

Those control arms are available, with bushings pre-installed, for $25-50 each on RockAuto from numerous manufacturers. Was your effort really worth the trouble?

 

Look again. RockAuto sells OEM style rubber bushings with integrated sleeves, not Polyurethane, unless you're seeing something I'm not. I paid $100 for the eight control arm bushings and $50 for the 2 trailing arm bushings (all Poly) so I would say the effort was worth the trouble. Powerflex comes with the metal sleeves but they're separate from the bushings and they cost $100 more. Also with the Powerflex version you must press (hydraulic press a must) out the entire bushing, then press in the sleeve, then install the poly bushings. Not a lot of labor difference in the end so I opted for the savings.

 

Question:
Did you replace the rear trailing arm bushing with the full Poly bushing or just add the Poly inserts??
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...m-bushing.html
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...g-inserts.html
If you replaced with the full bushing, how hard was it to remove the old bushing and get the new bushing in? I've done the front control arm bushings, but that was with a lot of reading and ModMini's video. If any one else has experience with the rear control arm bushings or inserts, more info would be great.
Thanks

 

The poly trailing arm bushings were actually easier to remove/install than the control arm bushings which are much smaller. Plus, there's some flex you have to deal with in the control arm itself that isn't an issue with the trailing arms. An hydraulic press is a necessity to remove/install the poly bushings.

 

Thanks for the info.
So I need a press for the rear trailing arm bushings? DANG IT.
So I would assume that's why the inserts are available... way easier.

Can anyone speak to the difference between the Poly bushings and the Poly inserts??? How much difference is there?
Should I just get the inserts and not over think it?

 

And while we're on that topic, in order to install the trailing arm inserts, other than removing the bolt that secures the front of the trailing arm to the bushing housing what else if anything must be removed or disconnected?

 

It's my impression that the Powerflex bushings are already inserted into the metal sleeve, correct? The biggest problem I had is that the PSB bushings I used were separate from the metal sleeve so I had to grind out the stock bushings leaving the metal sleeve, then press in the poly bushing -- huge PITA. The trailing arm must be removed which necessitates the entire rear suspension/brake assembly connected to it.