[bmw] RE: E28 control arm bushing

["Doug Dykaar" <dykaar@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Andrew,

The 750i bushing is the right diameter, but needs to have the ends of the
inner tube ground down to fit the mounting ears on the e28 chassis. Dinan
sells a correctly modified version. I replaced the entire front setup when
my e28 developed the dreaded shimmy.

I tried this at home and just could not get the freakin ball joints off. The
pickle forks don't work. I ended up putting it back together and taking it
to the local panzer mechanic, who the infamous "special tool". Its actually
a threaded separator of the correct size.

While you're in there, check the steering linkage: tie rods and the pittman
(idler) arm.

Regards,

doug
85 535
86 951
http://www.pcaucr.org/pcaucr/discussion.nsf/BabyPictures/62243cdebc3e5aad852
568bd007e9093
94 855 wagon




Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2003 12:22:36 -0400
From: "Watry, Andrew (LNG-SFR)" <Andrew.Watry@domain.elided>
Subject: [bmw] E28 control arm bushing

Is it the upper control arm (also called the "push strut"?) bushin that
commonly wears out on E28s, not the lower control arm? If so, a couple
questions:
* I've heard of a bushing upgrade; is it the 750 bushing?
* If the bushing is worn out, is it common that the ball joint at the other
end is worn too, and it makes sense to replace the whole arm rather than
press in a new bushing?
* It looks like a possible home-repair job without having to remove/compress
the strut.  True?

Thanks for any advice.

Andrew Watry
85 535i
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