[mob17]

And how much did it cost?

I have some solid 2 piece ones (maybe a bit easier than m3 to install but not sure). Just wondering who else has had this job done and how much it cost.

Thanks

[AirAndre335i]

Very common to do this. I need to do this at some point!

[Sparky68]

Yeh Whiteline bushed mine, stiffens up the back a lot.

[AndyS]

I couldn't be bothered to go to the effort of removing the standard bushes so I fitted the powerflex black series inserts. Cost about £120 for the inserts and about 45 minutes to fit using a 2 post lift. Made a very noticeable difference. I had previously fitted the bilstein b14 kit and the rear of the car felt horrendous over bumps. The inserts cured the problem 95 ‰.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I couldn't be bothered to go to the effort of removing the standard bushes so I fitted the powerflex black series inserts. Cost about £120 for the inserts and about 45 minutes to fit using a 2 post lift. Made a very noticeable difference. I had previously fitted the bilstein b14 kit and the rear of the car felt horrendous over bumps. The inserts cured the problem 95 ‰.

Thanks for the info. But can you be a bit more specific? Car 'felt horrendous' in what way? And a 'noticeable difference' in what way?

[AndyS]

The rear of the car felt as though it was stepping sideways as the flex in the standard bushes is enough to allow the subframe to move therefore altering the direction of travel of the rear wheels. This was noticeable with the standard msport suspension although bearable. As soon as I fitted the bilstein b14 coilovers the problem was greatly magnified. The powerflex inserts fill the voids in the standard bushes and reduce the movement of the subframe enough to virtually cure the problem. There was a particular section of uneven road surface on the A3 in Surrey which I travel on daily and it was unnerving to the point that I slowed down significantly (to about 50) and paid particular attention. Now I have the inserts fitted I barely notice and can go much faster without feeling as though the car is likely to go sideways.

[mob17]

I feel similar to what Andy felt!

Anyone installed bushes and not inserts? Think inserts are easier to install but just want to get an idea of the bushes and the best way/cost to fit. One method is to burn them out!

[AndyS]

Burning out bushes makes a huge mess and the subframe would need to be completely removed as rubber burns hot. A bushing removal tool can be used fairly easily once the subframe is lowered enough however it is a fair amount of work to get the subframe far enough down to allow the tool in. I would guess at 4 to 5 hours labour to remove and refit the four bushes correctly.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Burning out bushes makes a huge mess and the subframe would need to be completely removed as rubber burns hot. A bushing removal tool can be used fairly easily once the subframe is lowered enough however it is a fair amount of work to get the subframe far enough down to allow the tool in. I would guess at 4 to 5 hours labour to remove and refit the four bushes correctly.

Yes i've heard its 4-5 hours to, but someone told me you can lower each corner of the subframe so it doesn't need to be completely removed....

Has anyone had their bushes swapped at a garage?

[Aragorn30d]

I would probably get a spare subframe, fit the bushes to that at your leisure, then swap the whole frame out.

Means you can attend to any rust scabs or similar, and also means you'll be able to fully inspect all the wishbones, balljoints etc when swapping it over.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I couldn't be bothered to go to the effort of removing the standard bushes so I fitted the powerflex black series inserts. Cost about £120 for the inserts and about 45 minutes to fit using a 2 post lift. Made a very noticeable difference. I had previously fitted the bilstein b14 kit and the rear of the car felt horrendous over bumps. The inserts cured the problem 95 ‰.

Got a link to these inserts please?

[AirAndre335i]

AHHH MY GAWD

Thats the same issue i have.

The minute i floor it in 3rd from around 50mph. It immidiately snaps the back to the left and immidiate counter steer is needed.

I have been having multiple alignments, and new tyres too.

It has helped a little but not enough.

So new bushs definitely needed.

Sparky68 How much did whitline charge?

[AndyS]

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/black-ser...29-2667/1.html

Hope this works. Links to the powerflex black series page.

[Sparky68]

Think the bushes were £80 or there abouts, plus £40 to install.

[mob17]

Reckon it will cost loads then. Which is what i thought but was hoping it wouldn't be.

I'll go to my indy this weekend and try and haggle him. If he gives me a good rate then i might do all the m3 arms at the same time.

[Rich_D]

Originally Posted by AndyS

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/black-ser...29-2667/1.html

Hope this works. Links to the powerflex black series page.

Thanks

[Phil325i]

Be aware that apparently inserts change the ride height slightly (raise the car due to the inserts 'sticking out' beyond the subframe bushes). Could mess up your look if you've on lowering springs...

[AWSAWS]

Originally Posted by AndyS

The rear of the car felt as though it was stepping sideways as the flex in the standard bushes is enough to allow the subframe to move therefore altering the direction of travel of the rear wheels. This was noticeable with the standard msport suspension although bearable. As soon as I fitted the bilstein b14 coilovers the problem was greatly magnified. The powerflex inserts fill the voids in the standard bushes and reduce the movement of the subframe enough to virtually cure the problem. There was a particular section of uneven road surface on the A3 in Surrey which I travel on daily and it was unnerving to the point that I slowed down significantly (to about 50) and paid particular attention. Now I have the inserts fitted I barely notice and can go much faster without feeling as though the car is likely to go sideways.

Attaching stiffer suspension to flimsy mounts (thanks to the bushes), it makes sense.

The bushes need to be pressed out and new ones pushed in.

I'm going to try and do all my suspension, control arm and bush changes in one go to save on labor costs.

[gaza01]

Originally Posted by AndyS

The rear of the car felt as though it was stepping sideways as the flex in the standard bushes is enough to allow the subframe to move therefore altering the direction of travel of the rear wheels. This was noticeable with the standard msport suspension although bearable. As soon as I fitted the bilstein b14 coilovers the problem was greatly magnified. The powerflex inserts fill the voids in the standard bushes and reduce the movement of the subframe enough to virtually cure the problem. There was a particular section of uneven road surface on the A3 in Surrey which I travel on daily and it was unnerving to the point that I slowed down significantly (to about 50) and paid particular attention. Now I have the inserts fitted I barely notice and can go much faster without feeling as though the car is likely to go sideways.

did you do the work yourself Andy? Is it easy enough to do on a ramp?

[OGM2LCI]

Considering getting some inserts for mine so will be interesting to hear how much work it is getting them fitted

[AndyS]

It's very simple to do. Raise car, support subframe, disconnect pad sensor and abs sensor wires from clips on subframe, remove front subframe bolts and loosen rear bolts to lower frame enough to wiggle inserts in. Replace front bolts loosely and remove rear bolts. Fit rear inserts and reassemble. Ride height will not be affected if everything is done correctly. I measured mine before and after and it was exactly the same.

[AndyS]

Forgot to mention that you must undo the headlamp leveling sensor on the passenger side of the subframe also as well as a couple of pieces of plastic trim which prevent access to the front two subframe bolts. I did do it myself but I have been on the spanners for 28 years now. It is a very easy job to do and even tackling it on the floor with stands and a trolley jack someone with basic mechanical skills could do this in a couple of hours easily. It took me 45 minutes on a 2 post lift start to finish.