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Thread: The ULTIMATE bushing tool!

  1. #1
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    Thumbs up The ULTIMATE bushing tool!

    Well, when I was replacing my subframe bushings, I looked on here for a DIY tool. The only one I could find had you drilling through thick steel pipe end caps. Being poor, my dad and I went to Lowes to pick up the parts. In the same section as the end caps were pipe reducers. It didn't take us long to figure out how much simpler this would be. We brought the bushings to correctly size the reducers. This can do all 5 bushings on the subframe and the two RTAB's. I don't see why this wouldn't work for the LCAB's either. The tool is assembled easily and requires no modification of any of the parts. It is very versatile and cost us only around $12-$15.

    What we bought:
    1 foot long 3/8" threaded rod.
    4 nuts
    8 washers
    1 2" to 3/4" reducer
    1 1" to 3/4" reducer
    1 1.25" coupler
    1 1.25" to 3/4" bushing
    2 3/4" to 3/8" bushings

    Assembly and use is pretty self explanatory once you see the pictures. We used a bit of dishwashing soap to lubricate the bushings as we pressed them. I cannot emphasize how easy this was. The bushings went in so smoothly compared to everything else we had done to the car that it felt too good to be true. Well, it is true!

    Enjoy.









    Adversity is the mother of invention.
    Last edited by Quailane; 07-09-2007 at 06:26 PM.

  2. #2
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    i was thinking about doing the same thing but using flat steel plates on each side.
    Becoming a Professional OT Troll . CAN Bus Project: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QuRBQzGs-c VGT/VNT +LDA controller: http://dmn.kuulalaakeri.org/vnt-lda/

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  3. #3
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    AWESOME!
    I am hopefully doing mine this weekend. I'll be going to Lowe's first
    ~Phil
    Madeiraviolett Bf.C club member #001

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  4. #4
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    hmm I might have to make that tool. Did you get all the parts at the lowes on 273?

  5. #5
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    Yes, but I'll give you mine for $10.

  6. #6
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    fred flinstone
    there good to use just dont use air tools on it youll ruin the threads

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quailane View Post
    Yes, but I'll give you mine for $10.
    whenever I finally do my auto to manual swap, I am sure that tool will help a lot to do my rtab's, and subframe bushings.

  8. #8
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    2 pieces of flat steel + decent size c-clamp works well too

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by beeMdoubleyou View Post
    2 pieces of flat steel + decent size c-clamp works well too
    No, because the bushing extends quite a way below its ring in the subframe.

  10. #10
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    wow damn, thank you so much...... i had planned on doing this sometime in the future but i was just going to take the rear subframe to a shop and have the new bushings pressed in or something, this makes it SOOOOO MUCH easier now though

    ^^ Really old picture.
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  11. #11
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    I should do this for my LCABs. I only got one done when I tried, it was such a pita.

    I may just order the treehouse racing ones though...

  12. #12
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    hmmm.. I have all sorts of bushings to do too.

  13. #13
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    good thread. i was going to use the pipe end cap method, but this looks easier. no need to break out the drill...

    BMW Parts Whore... BUY THEM PLEASE!!!

  14. #14
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    I just want to add that you can also use this to press in a new rear wheel bearing.

    What you need:
    2 2" to 1/2" reducers
    1 5' steel pipe
    1 1.25" 1/2" drive socket
    1 1/2" drive breaker bar
    1 1' long 1/2" threaded rod
    2 1/2" hardened nuts for rod
    2 hardened washers for rod
    1 large adjustable wrench

    Procedure:

    1 Grind out the threads on the narrow end of the two pipe reducers.
    2 Grind exterior rim on the wide end of one of the pipe reducers until it can fit 3/8" inside the hole in the trailing arm for the rear wheel bearing
    3 Set up device just like for pressing in rubber bushings, but make sure the rod does not extend past nut on the outer side.
    4 Attach adjustable wrench to the nut on the inner side and make sure it is resting on some part of the car that can resist the torque you are going to apply
    5 Attach socket and breaker bar with pipe over it to the outer nut.
    6 Turn away until the bearing is all the way in. You can judge were it is by how far in the pipe reducer is and how much more force you have to apply to it.

    When you are done, go pick up some large inner circlip pliers and pop in that inner circlip, not that the bearing is going anywhere without it.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quailane View Post

    here is the modified list:

    What you need:
    2 2" to 1/2" reducers
    1 1' long 1/2" threaded rod
    2 1/2" hardened nuts for rod
    2 hardened washers for rod

    here is the original list:

    What we bought:
    1 foot long 3/8" threaded rod.
    4 nuts
    8 washers
    1 2" to 3/4" reducer
    1 1" to 3/4" reducer
    1 1.25" coupler
    1 1.25" to 3/4" bushing
    2 3/4" to 3/8" bushings
    Do I only need to buy the seven items in the modified tool list or will I need items from the original list as well?

  16. #16
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    All you need are the items of the modified list. However, you may also need to get a longer 1/2" threaded rod if you want to use this tool to get the bearing in all the way from the beginning. What I mean is that I used a hammer to slowly pound in the rim of the bearing until it was almost flush with the trailing arm. I used lubricating oil to help do this. I only used the bushing tool to push in the bearing the last 1/2" or so. If you follow what I did, only the 1 foot rod is necessary.

  17. #17
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    I'm most concerned with extracting the old race right now. I have an adapter that fits inside the race I can drill a hole in it for the rod to pass through, put a nut and washer on the other side, and use it to pull out the old race right?

    you wouldn't happen to have a picture of the tool assembled would you?

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quailane View Post
    I just want to add that you can also use this to press in a new rear wheel bearing.
    I guess the only thing this tool will not do is cure acne. Make sure to grease the threads or the force will fuse the bolt to the rod. Ask me how I know.
    Alpine 318ic FTMFW!

  19. #19
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    Does this work for removing bushings as well as putting new ones in ?

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Danny318 View Post
    Does this work for removing bushings as well as putting new ones in ?
    thats what I just elaborately asked.

  21. #21
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    I'm headed for Lowe's in the morning!

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rehab View Post
    I'm headed for Lowe's in the morning!
    nice

  23. #23
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    quick post so I can find the thread at home. Home made inexpensive tool FTW. Thanks!
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  24. #24
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    nice work, I just e-mailed this page to a friend.

    Hey man, I'm a professional!

  25. #25
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    chris let me borrow your tool for free.

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