jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 I'm currently gathering parts together for a complete rear suspension overhaul for the 8er. Most of the bushings are available on their own as many are shared with other models, but the bearings in the rear control arms (#10 in the diagram) don't have a part number. Have scoured the boards and it seems no-one has been able to come up with a compatible bearing to fit. At $300+ each for the control arms (more if I buy local) I'd really like to find a cheaper version and wondered if any clever engineer types think they might be able to adapt another bushing to fit. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1901 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 By the time you buy bearings and do the work to make them fit $300 might seem pretty reasonable! You could take the opportunity to go to rose joints but it wont save you any money. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 Yeah, figured as much... Was just kinda hoping someone would say buy a blah blah powerflex bush and bang it in with a hammer. Such is life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1051 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 Yeah, figured as much... Was just kinda hoping someone would say buy a blah blah powerflex bush and bang it in with a hammer. Such is life. Cut a bit of tube to fit and urethane it in??? (it's probably been done somewhere ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 When I comes to these parts there isn't any cheap way to sort them... especially if ball joints are bad - then that means a new arm or taking it to a specialist. If just the bushings need replacing, the cheapest way would be to get nolathane, which are a bit harder, but easier to install etc... good for tighter ride and theres the ability to use generic sizes.. it can still get a bit pricey though. My UZZ32 has unique control arms that aren't available new from Toyota, if they were I'd buy them in a flash. But it means new custom bushes (a guy has developed them in Australia thank god, so I bought some, but the only solution for the ball joints is to get an engineer to remove and replace them) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 2, 2015 It seems that there isn't an off the shelf solution. Frustrating that BMW won't offer those bearings/bushings as a replacement part, only the complete arms, when pretty much all the other joints are available. Wokke makes replacements at about half the price I've discovered (based on core refund when you return your worn arms) so I guess I'll do that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 7, 2015 Sod's law. The car just failed its WOF on the excessive play in the right rear control arm... The one piece I can't just buy a bushing for. Going to be at least 4-6 weeks before I can get a replacement too which is a bummer. Hopefully in that time I can finish gather all the other bushings together and completely overhaul the rear suspension as planned... Just a bit ahead of schedule so the bank manager/wife won't be pleased. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted April 7, 2015 Best solution will be to find out what size you need and get a nolathane unit from www.nolathane.com.au I did this on my car when I couldn't get the right size shock - LCA bush. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) Did they custom make it? An awful lot of people have tried and failed to find an off the shelf replacement for the rear upper control arm bushes. Bit of a PITA to get measurements too as I don't have a garage/hoist! EDIT: Plus I've ordered new arms now and Wokke offers core replacement so a bit cheaper than originally thought (and way cheaper than buying from BMW NZ!!). Just frustrating as I'd planned the overhaul and have been gathering bits as budget allows, now I need to expedite it as there's no point doing the control arms and not doing the rest of the bushings. Edited April 7, 2015 by jeffbebe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2312 Report post Posted April 7, 2015 Nah just chose one from their universal range that had the right specs. Which bush position on the rear arm is bad? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 7, 2015 The small bush that connects to the subframe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
polley 916 Report post Posted April 8, 2015 You can buy nolathane round stock and just machine it to the dimensions you need. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi328i 118 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 Last time I needed a bush or bearing that I didn't want to get bent over and raped for, I took the part to SKF, and they had the perfect match. Once you have the part it is much easier, and you can see how the part has worn and what you might be able to change so that it is 'better' in that area. alas you cant always have the part. There are a few bearings places that love the challenge. I hate retail, so I do everything I can to cheap out, and mostly not always I like what I find, and you learn heaps too. If I end up at team macMillan, they have won and I have failed I have been at the tipping point where I have thought f**k it, make my own poly bushes, but haven't had to...yet. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 Thanks Lionel. Wokke makes upgraded replacements for less than the OE ones so I've ordered a pair of those but will try and find a suitable bushing and bearing so I've got a spare set once the old ones are out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted April 16, 2015 Be curious to see what the bearing/bush is like when it's out. Yanks ain't necessarily the best lateral thinkers.... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
