Bushing Stablizers

[Maverix]

Is this a joke, or legit? Am I better off lighting my $40 for heat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...Q5fAccessories

[bullmand]

I bought a set. I haven't put them in yet, but the theory seems sound. It's such a pain to replace the subframe bushings that I thought I'd give this a try. I do think they're a little expensive for what they are. It appears to be PVC electrical conduit that's been shaped with a Dremel or something similar. I'll let you know what I think once I've gotten them on the car.

[Maverix]

Cool, sounds like a easy install too.

[dave45056]

I thought about buying these, but I didn't.
First, they are made of pvc, which isn't very strong.
Second, they look like they go all the way through the rear subframe bushing. However, the bushing has a rubber web in the center.
Third, they dont address the other problem the rear subframe bushing has... they collapse. These don't take up the space between the subframe and the bushing to support them and prevent them from collapsing.

[L84THSKY]

I installed them. Not hard, and I think they help. Of course I have made many rear end upgrades, so I can't say exactly how much they help by themselves.

Originally Posted by Maverix

Is this a joke, or legit? Am I better off lighting my $40 for heat?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-e...Q5fAccessories

[bullmand]

I don't think I understand what you mean about the bushings collapsing. Can you clarify that for us?

[Xenocide]

These look like they would stiffen the suspension, but with my *limited* understanding of forces on these suspension components I would say it would wear out the bushing AT LEAST twice as fast.

Personally, I would NOT put this on my car.

[bullmand]

Ok. I'll explain why I think these should work and then we can all argue about it The stock bushing is a heavy rubber cylinder with a metal shaft down the middle. There are voids in the cylinder and that's what allows the subframe to move around a bit. The rubber gets old and soft and I suppose under extreme cases could tear around the voids. These little plastic things fill the voids. That would seem to me to decrease the amount that the rubber could flex in a given direction which would increase the perceived stiffness of the bushing. It's possible that there may be a little abrasion on the bushing from these tabs, but as their purpose is to eliminate flex in the bushing, it shouldn't be moving much and that should minimize any impact on the bushing by the tabs. That all makes sense to me and I don't see how any harm could come from it. I'm going to be putting them in bushings that are 11 years old and have 112,000 miles on them. I don't think I could hurt them much at this point. If it were easier to change the bushings I would go ahead and do that, but even if these things don't appear to do anything or change the handling in a way I'm not happy with I can pop them right out again. I think the risk is minimal.

[L84THSKY]

People are over analyzing this simple device. It won't do anything for downward force, there is a solid metal body in the bushing. These inserts will reduce the swaying front to back, and side to side.

If people are scared to put these in, then go ahead and swap the whole bushing; that ought to be fun.

Originally Posted by bullmand

Ok. I'll explain why I think these should work and then we can all argue about it The stock bushing is a heavy rubber cylinder with a metal shaft down the middle. There are voids in the cylinder and that's what allows the subframe to move around a bit. The rubber gets old and soft and I suppose under extreme cases could tear around the voids. These little plastic things fill the voids. That would seem to me to decrease the amount that the rubber could flex in a given direction which would increase the perceived stiffness of the bushing. It's possible that there may be a little abrasion on the bushing from these tabs, but as their purpose is to eliminate flex in the bushing, it shouldn't be moving much and that should minimize any impact on the bushing by the tabs. That all makes sense to me and I don't see how any harm could come from it. I'm going to be putting them in bushings that are 11 years old and have 112,000 miles on them. I don't think I could hurt them much at this point. If it were easier to change the bushings I would go ahead and do that, but even if these things don't appear to do anything or change the handling in a way I'm not happy with I can pop them right out again. I think the risk is minimal.

[lpcapital]

Some folkes installed them on the Z3 but somebody removed the bottom plate after some time and found them broken.

[bullmand]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

People are over analyzing this simple device. It won't do anything for downward force, there is a solid metal body in the bushing. These inserts will reduce the swaying front to back, and side to side.

After reading my post again I realized I should have been more clear about that. There shouldn't be any vertical movement of that bushing, it's all lateral.

And I can totally see the possibility of these things breaking. I hadn't thought of it before, but the type of plastic they're made from seems relatively brittle. I would suspect it would necessitate a good bit of track time or completely shot bushings to actually break them. Something to think about and monitor, assuming I ever get off my ass and put them in there.

[spidertri]

Sorry for bumping an old thread but I just wanted to say that I installed these over the past weekend and I am very happy with the results.

My bushings are obviously shot and need to be completely replaced but I figured these stabilizers would hold me over until the summer when I get a chance to stick some IE bushings in there.

My biggest problem with my subframe bushings was that the car felt squirrelly on the highway and did not feel planted at those speeds. Also, since getting new suspension I could tell there was more movement in the rear than what I wanted.

I bought these stabilizers for $30 shipped and figured it couldn't make things any worse back there. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Car is very controlled through turns now and very stable on the highway. I found myself going faster than I usually do without noticing it.

[318ti_dad]

where did you buy the stabilizers? Would like to try a set on my 95ti

Thanks

318ti_dad

[spidertri]

ebay, seller is skunkworks27.