BMW 33326771828 Rubber Mounting

To replace the upper control arm bushing (ball joint), first remove the trailing arm, ensuring to mark the position of the trailing arm front bracket on the body to facilitate resetting of the rear toe. For the lower control arm bushing, detach the lower control arm from the trailing arm without removing the trailing arm itself, and mark the position of the eccentric mounting bolt to aid in resetting the rear camber, while also noting the direction of bolt insertion. When replacing the bushing, measure and record the protrusion of the old bushing from the trailing arm boss, then press the old bushing out and install the new bushing using the protrusion measurement as a reference. It is important to have the vehicle professionally aligned upon completion of the job.

Raise the vehicle and remove the rear wheels, then take out the trailing arm, ensuring to mark the position of the trailing arm front bracket on the body to facilitate resetting of the rear toe. Using appropriate press tools, press the bushing out of the trailing arm, clean the trailing arm bore, and press a new bushing into the trailing arm, aligning the slot in the bushing with the mark on the trailing arm bore. The correctly installed bushing should protrude from the trailing arm bore by 2.5 mm (0.1 in). Before reinstalling the trailing arm, preload the trailing arm front bushing by installing a bolt through the bracket and bushing, tightening the nut finger tight. Use bar stock to align the base of the bracket so that it is parallel with the center of the wheel bearing bore on the trailing arm, then torque the bracket bolt. Finally, reinstall the trailing arm and have the vehicle professionally aligned when the job is complete.

The new bushing should be installed starting at the inner beveled end of the control arm bore, ensuring that the longer collar of the bushing is on the same side as the bevel in the control arm.

Control arm bushings should be replaced in pairs because they may only be replaced once, ensuring balanced performance and longevity.