Radius rod bushing r&r

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:32 pm

I am trying to build a nice front subframe with all new bushings while it's out of the car. Can someone show/explain what they have rigged up to press the radius rod bushings out and in? I am familiar with the pipe and threaded rod type of approach but things are a little tight in that area.

Thanks in advance!

KenB
1979 528i

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:11 pm

Which one is the radius arm?

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:20 pm

The ones next to the "hooks" in the front.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:25 pm

Ah, yes. I thought someone had called those control arm bushings. I get all of the different names confused.

Anyway, I recently replaces those on my car. Same concept as the pipe and threaded rod, just use spacers instead of pipe. I may have photos of what I did. I will look for you.

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:53 pm

Hmmm...love to see it.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:32 pm

Let me know if you have any questions.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... directlink

pappentl · Post by **pappentl** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:08 pm

as an alternative, I bought a large I-bolt and using two washers a nut and an 18 inch prybar I pulled the old one right out prying against the tow hook. I used motorsports bushing and they went right in the same way. Took longer to insert the I-bolt than to remove or install the bushings. YMMV.

...tom

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:11 pm

Blaise wrote:Let me know if you have any questions.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1030509870 ... directlink

Very, very cool. No questions...though it may take me a while to rig that up.

Thanks. Glad to have this documented. Technical FAQ?

Ken

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:04 pm

You should just look around and make use of what you have on hand. Those angles that I used are my vise soft jaws. The install system was just a scrap of bar and a bolt.

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:22 pm

As it turns out I talked to Jim at Mesa Performance today and on his advice I inserted a radius arm backward into the bushing and yanked on it from the front. They popped out relatively quickly. As for getting the new ones in...we'll see. Haven't tried yet.

Blaise · Post by **Blaise** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:43 am

KenB wrote:As it turns out I talked to Jim at Mesa Performance today and on his advice I inserted a radius arm backward into the bushing and yanked on it from the front. They popped out relatively quickly. As for getting the new ones in...we'll see. Haven't tried yet.

Good one. So many ways to skin a cat. Nice to share the simpler versions. Thanks

KenB · Post by **KenB** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:34 pm

I was told I'd need a donkey and a flaming midget (sic.) to get the bushings back in. In fact they just went in the same way they came out, only easier! I put the rod through the right way this time, put a nut on the threaded portion that barely sticks out of the front and tightened it down. Pressed right in there. I do recommend dish soap as a lubricant though.

But if you happen to have an idle donkey and self-immolating little person on the property, what the hell.