Sway bar bushings and Tie bars

[Shoejohn]

Hi all. I had my new mechanic do a deep dive on the 1997 2.8. My primary goal is maintaining this car for the long term. I’m also looking for better performance and handling.
No surprises really. I need new bushings.
He is doing the rear subframe bushings as well as the control arm bushings. He is also replacing the hoses, thermostat and housing.

I decided to tackle the outer Tie Rods and the Sway Bar links and bushings. I’m not a mechanic but feel I’m up for it. I’ve hear these are fairly DIY friendly. I have the parts and will get to work when the car is back from the shop.

Any words of wisdom?

I’m eager to see how the car handles after this bushing overhaul is finished. Please share your experiences.

Thanks,
John

 

[t-tony]

One tip for you, if you're looking for any info from UK sites check out "Anti-roll Bar" bushes and "Drop-Links", that's how they're known this side of the pond.

Tony.

 

[DrWong]

As a Brit, very jealous of how clean your car is underneath - looks immaculate!

 

[t-tony]

If used in a state where they use little salt or not used through winter yours would look the same.

Tony.

 

[elky]

Hi all. I had my new mechanic do a deep dive on the 1997 2.8. My primary goal is maintaining this car for the long term. I’m also looking for better performance and handling.
No surprises really. I need new bushings.
He is doing the rear subframe bushings as well as the control arm bushings. He is also replacing the hoses, thermostat and housing.

I decided to tackle the outer Tie Rods and the Sway Bar links and bushings. I’m not a mechanic but feel I’m up for it. I’ve hear these are fairly DIY friendly. I have the parts and will get to work when the car is back from the shop.

Any words of wisdom?

I’m eager to see how the car handles after this bushing overhaul is finished. Please share your experiences.

Thanks,
JohnView attachment 275445View attachment 275447View attachment 275449View attachment 275445View attachment 275447View attachment 275449View attachment 275449View attachment 275445View attachment 275445View attachment 275447View attachment 275449

There is this very straightforward video showing how to replace the anti-roll bar bushings but not the links

View: https://youtu.be/8Z1KYYM1TfM?si=xa7taSHHIlPKPpGq


I also have a question, I think it's quite possible with a bit of effort to remove the anti-roll bar bushings from the side, like from the wheel without going underneath the car. Has anyone attempted something like that?

 

[Shoejohn]

Thanks Dr. Wong

There is this very straightforward video showing how to replace the anti-roll bar bushings but not the links

View: https://youtu.be/8Z1KYYM1TfM?si=xa7taSHHIlPKPpGq


I also have a question, I think it's quite possible with a bit of effort to remove the anti-roll bar bushings from the side, like from the wheel without going underneath the car. Has anyone attempted something like that?

Thanks for that video!

 

[elky]

Has anyone tried to remove the anti-roll bar bushings without lifting the car? I see I can get them just from the side by removing the wheel. Am I missing anything?

 

[IainP]

Yes, but it’s super awkward, it’s far, far easier to do it from underneath. Just make sure the car is supported so it can’t land on you.
mig you don’t have any pads, cardboard works well to slide underneath.

 

[elky]

Yes, but it’s super awkward, it’s far, far easier to do it from underneath. Just make sure the car is supported so it can’t land on you.
mig you don’t have any pads, cardboard works well to slide underneath.

Is it not worth it? I have two options A) take the car to a DIY club/garage at my university where I usually DIY stuff and I have a proper lift. B) try to do it in my apartment closed garage where partly I cannot and I don't want to go under the car. You propose I wait for A) ?

 

[IainP]

It can be done, just. If you have anything that rotates on you, particularly at the bar mount, it becomes a seriously sweary adventure. You need the steering turned to gain any sort of access. I’ve only done it that way once because I had to, wouldn’t wish to repeat it.
On stands, or a ramp, it’s dead easy.

 

[Shoejohn]

This is frustrating. My car broke down on my way home from the shop. The gas pedal quit working. I did a face time call with the mechanic from the side of the road and he thinks it’s the throttle cable. The cable is connected at the engine so I assume the failure on the gas pedal end. It’s being towed back to his shop now.
I haven’t had any mechanical problems of any sort in over 2 years and then this happens the day I spend $2500 on preventative maintenance. This is the first time I have used this shop but they were highly recommended by several members of the local BMW club.
They replaced the rear subframe bushings, control arm bushings, thermostat housing, thermostat and heater hoses and radiator hoses. I can’t help but feel this is a suspicious coincidence.

 

[IainP]

Throttle cables do fail, I’ve had six failures that I can think off, though that’s over 43 years and more than a couple million miles