Curious bushings

[Naz]

Well folks as usual nothing is as it seems with the old NK. All things simply turn into obstacles.

 

I ordered all new bushings for the front subframe some time ago. I went to check the assembly on these particular ones and it became obvious very quickly that they are much taller in height and will not work. Has anyone ever seen this?

 

 

I'm having the same issue with one side of the wishbone bushings (actually my buddy Rick is) being far to large in diameter. No way they would ever fit. I have heard of this problem on the forum a couple times.

 

Images show the original and the new.

 

 

 

 

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[HBChris]

I have had to trim at least one of the bushings to make them fit, they are too thick.  Has this issue on e3, e9, 2002 and NK.  Slice one in half.

[NickVyse]

Doubt that will make any difference - the ARB will just sit a little higher and function just the same. Plus they're compressible when you tighten them aren't they? (IE They don't have a metal sleeve inside)

 

I'd go with them as is. 

[duggi]

It looks like you could almost trim the tapered nubs off the ends and they'd be the right size... just musing here though, I have no experience with these cars yet.

[halboyles]

Put all the pieces together with the threaded portion of the bolt facing up (keeps the nut and threads protected for future removal).  Use a clamp to tighten up the whole assembly.  Once you can get the nut started it is easy enough to compress the bushings to fit.

[HBChris]

I have used jacks and clamps, you can't compress them enough to thread a nut on the end, they must be trimmed.

[halboyles]

34 minutes ago, HBChris said:

you can't compress them enough to thread a nut on the end

 

Is this specific to the NK setup?  Because these exact bushings and m8x160mm bolt seem to be used on almost everything from the 2000CS up to the '81 733i.  

 

One reason I put the bolt head on the bottom is so that I can use the clamp against the head of the bolt and the top end of the sway-bar to compress the bottom three bushings enough to get the top bushing/washer/nut on.  This even works with poly bushings.

 

Alternatively,  I guess you could just get a m8x170mm bolt and be done with it.

[Naz]

I can trim each one to make it work that's not a problem. These bushings are after market but still available through BMW. I wonder if the ones from BMW would be correct for the car without modification. +1 on putting the threaded end of the bolt up to avoid damage to threads.


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[Naz]

Here is the finished product folks.


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[Hans]

Hmm. Sure looks like those are too thick. I believe NK are same as 02. I suppose you could try shorter tube spaces - not sure why that would be a problem.

[HBChris]

I had to trim the identical bushings on my NK, 2002 and e9, they are way too thick and too hard to compress.

[Naz]

Hmm. Sure looks like those are too thick. I believe NK are same as 02. I suppose you could try shorter tube spaces - not sure why that would be a problem.

 

I was actually wondering about that as well. I believe I've heard of people shortening the tube spacers. It rings a bell.

 

I did trim each bushing down as well btw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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