Anyone has experience changing rear axle bushings?

[seb]

Hello All, None of my 11 years old e36 328I rear axle bushings have been replaced. Nothing is wrong with the car, at least not that I noticed. Looking at realoem website, there are a few rubber bushings on the rear axle which include subframe bushings and final drive mounting. Anyone have any experience replacing any of these bushings before? What difference does it make? Is it worth doing? Opinions please.

 

[sesat88]

changing the RTAB bushings would probably results in better handling when cornering after replacing them. You probably want to check the condition of the bushing when the axle, FD etc etc is dismantled. If still ok then no point la!

BUT if you kena the 'change the bushes poison' then you might as well change the whole lot i.e. from the front to the rear. You probably find some nice after effects to it during cornering. To poison u somemore.. there are such things as aftermarket PU bushings

But if your ride is going on fine, then you might well save the $$$ for some other nice mods.

 

[anxious]

Seb, I changed my front control arm and front sway bar bush. Slight improvement.

As for the rear bushing, there is the RTAB and rear subframe bush. My mech & AB confirmed mine was still ok. No harm changing them. The difficulty is finding a mech that is willing to do it as I think its a PITA job.

Good Luck.

 

[Croccifixio13]

Hi Seb,

My RTAB bushing on my 14 yr old 325i are gone and I will have to change them. Effects I experience now is a slight 'kick' when I engage the car in drive gear. I was advised by my mech (Optimum Auto, Kayu Ara) to do it... However, it's true that it's a PITA job....my guy was asking me for one whole day or so... PITA jobs also mean more in terms of $$$ as it's quite a labour-intensive job... So it's basically up to u... Just FYI, a fren of mine changed all the bushing on his car to M3 bushing....makes quite a bit of difference to the drive & handling (just my opinion, though)...heheheh have to racun a bit ;-)

 

[seb]

Thanks guys for the response. Still undecided on whether to go for it or not. What is the difference between stock and M3 bushings? I understand that the wishbone bushings are eccentric and hence altering the camber(?) of the front wheels. But what about the rear axle? Are the bushings of different materials as well? I know that my right wishbone bushing need replacement. Now a bit itchy to go for M3 one instead off the stock. Thanks to you lot!

 

[pussy]

try the e36 m3 offset lower arm bush... costs about RM150 a set... better caster turn in and handling..

 

[Lee36328]

Hello All,

None of my 11 years old e36 328I rear axle bushings have been replaced. Nothing is wrong with the car, at least not that I noticed. Looking at realoem website, there are a few rubber bushings on the rear axle which include subframe bushings and final drive mounting. Anyone have any experience replacing any of these bushings before? What difference does it make? Is it worth doing? Opinions please.

I will be changing these bushes soon, simply because rubber deteriorates over time.

 

[sesat88]

try the e36 m3 offset lower arm bush... costs about RM150 a set... better caster turn in and handling..

mana bikin boleh dapat m3 Lower Arm Bush ah?

 

[moots]

Hello All,

None of my 11 years old e36 328I rear axle bushings have been replaced. Nothing is wrong with the car, at least not that I noticed. Looking at realoem website, there are a few rubber bushings on the rear axle which include subframe bushings and final drive mounting. Anyone have any experience replacing any of these bushings before? What difference does it make? Is it worth doing? Opinions please.

have replaced my e34 rear subframe bushings and the final drive rubber mount.can feel the car a little tighter and most definitely got rid of the 'thud' sound during reverse (cause the rubber bush separated from the metal assembly)....

 

[Russie]

try the e36 m3 offset lower arm bush... costs about RM150 a set... better caster turn in and handling..

yeah where to get the m3 offset lower arm bush? RM150 per set sounds reasonable.

I will be changing these bushes soon, simply because rubber deteriorates over time.

I may visit Raymond soon too, since he highlighted some rubber bushes need to be changed. Maybe will bump into u again?