Tips on installing solid subframe bushings?

[Ramps]

Good day gentlemen!

I have the whole rear end out and apart, I've replaced every ball joint and bushing there is back there but ran into a hitch with the CMP sub-frame bushing install. I am using a tool with cups and threaded rod to push and pull things out and it's been working great, but the aluminum bushing starts to go crooked when I begin to tighten down the tool. I know some smaller bushings straighten themselves out as they go in, but these are solid and not cheap so I don't want to mess them up.

Anyone have experience with sold subframe bushings? Did you use this type of tool? I have a buddy with a shop press so I could likely take it over there to use it...but if a you guys think they'll straighten out as it gets pulled in then I may just keep on going.

For reference this is the tool I'm using:



TIA

[Slideways]

Put them in the freezer next to the frozen peas lol

[Ramps]

Put them in the freezer next to the frozen peas lol

I’ll try that!

[mrgizmo04]

Yeah the rods bend...but elastically...so it's ok.

Make sure you grease the outside of the bushing and the threads on the tool (lower friction/heat). Just make sure you watch where you put down the rod afterwards on the ground (or you'll have a fun day cleaning dirt/grime out of the lubed threads).

Those rods in your kit might not be very stout (and therefore might break), but I just forced through it by tightening the bearing nut and the bushing does straighten out and gets pulled through square. I used the rod in the Schwaben tool and it is very strong. I did not freeze mine, but freezing them will help, although the initial alignment and not going in straight might still be an issue, just less so. It's quite hard to line up the accepting receptacle cup on the axis through the hole/bushing, especially because the rod is so much smaller than the bushing hole.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[ClevoCapri]

I posted this pic in another subframe thread but its relevant here too!

[Ramps]

Freezer overnight, hit the subframe with a heat gun, a bit of grease and they slid right in. One went a bit angled but straightened out as it went in further.

Thanks guys!

[bigjae46]

Heat gun? Real man uses a map gas torch. lol

[selm3]

What bushing tool did you use? I’m about to do all the same work? Thanks

[Gt4]

What bushing tool did you use? I’m about to do all the same work? Thanks

I bought this kit and it works really well:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto-tools-parts/tool-rear-subframe-bushing-press/b8800097~bav/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxdXpqMSI8AIVFOXICh3SXwwmEAQYASABEgLO7PD_BwE

[Cubieman]

I bought this kit and it works really well:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bav-auto...SABEgLO7PD_BwE

So this tool let you install bushings w/o dropping the subframe as advertised?

[Seattleswimboy]

I avoided this issue by using these. https://store.partsshopmax.com/shop/...is/E46SFR.html

They are slip fit, so they do not have to pressed in. Just epoxy them. I think they are the best on the market because they have a completely flat mounting area against the chassis thus increasing load distribution and they also can raise the subframe if you have installed reinforcement plates.

[Ramps]

Heat gun? Real man uses a map gas torch. lol

I didn’t want to burn the paint off