Lowered the sub frame a little, pried the old rotten bushings out, and am finding it impossible to slide the new, pre-pressed oem bushings onto the control arm shafts. Anybody got a trick to share?
TIA!
bo

 

Don't know about the oem bushings, but after installing the Powerflex ones, it slided right on the control arm shafts :s Did you tried using lube on the shafts? If this can help, the article does state that BMW say that there's a tool required for this, but using lube and a hammer should do it: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm

 

Consider yourself lucky. This is your cue to return the OEM ones and get a set of Powerflex ones so you don't ever have to do the job again.

I did notice when I took my cracked OEM ones off, quite a bit of the old rubber stayed behind on the control arm. Make sure that is all off- you want to get down to the roughly hexagonal shaped metal piece.

Val

 

I got all of the old ones off. I've used lube & a hammer but there isn't much room to get a swing going, I managed to get the pass. side about halfway on by prying creatively, but it's stuck.
They could have easily put threads in the hole in the end of the shaft so you could just run the thing on with a bolt & washer.

 

Eek. You're scaring me and my pre-pressed OEM bushings.

 

This OR a bigger hammer but preferably powerflex

 

There is no room for a bigger hammer. I chose the stockers due to time & budget constraints. I hate it when a simple plan backfires. I'm going to see about renting an impact hammer.

 

Remove the subframe & you won't need any hammering. Short cuts sometimes aren't worth it unless you've tried them time & again. Remember, MINIs are best taking the longer route!

 

i'll second the power flex, but if you have o stick with OEM, spray down the the control arm with an aerosol glass cleaner.

 

I decided to go Powerflex an am very pleased with them! Getting the rear bolts in was a chore. I actually ground just a little of the metal away at the front of the pass. rear bolt hole, making the install much easier.