e46 diff rear bush replacement

[netercol]

time for me to replace both my e46's rear diff bushings, already got the parts , 2 x meyle hd replacements..

but judging from a quick google, it seems to be a bit tricky. anybody here done this before, any hints or tips?

 

[moranor@axis]

ive done it... the rear one is a b!tch without the right tools is has a thick metal sleeve that sits in the subframe takes alot of force to get it out my 1st bush puller (made with washers and a tube) failed and the 12mm mild steel thread bar (use 12mm hardened steel) i used was not up to the job i got an engineering works to machine me some proper ends out of 10mm plates this worked perfect

I can upload some pics of the rig i used to get it out and give you measurements if it will help :rollsmile:

with the proper tools its not a hard job

you said '2 x meyle hd replacements..' there should be 2 front ones and one rear one for a non M e46 so you should have 3 bushes?

 

[netercol]

thanx mate,
dimension would save me some time, if you have it handy.. im only looking at replacing the rear one on both cars, the front ones seem fine..

did you have to remove the diff to replace the rear one?

 

[moranor@axis]

ok i see now (two cars)

yip the diff has to come out you can try fiddling with it in but i don't think it will work if you do manage to get it out with the diff in place let me know how...

i used a 76mm mild steel pipe that was cut down to one side with a grinder so it could be bent to fit the subframe better it needs to be a little longer than the diff bush so you can pull it out into the tube...

then you need two end plate disks i used 10mm Stainless plate for this... one disk must be large enough to sit on the end of the tube without being pulled into it the other must be just slightly smaller than the diff bush both need a hole in the center for the 12mm thread bar to go though...

then all you need is some thread bar you can use mild steel, but you will need to cut a few to get the job done :yuck: hardened steel will work way better...

lastly you need a few nuts get extra incase some strip also get some washers to make them turn easier also something like Q20 for the thread bar will help

when the diff is out have a good look at the front bushes mine looked fine till i had the diff out and then i saw they were cracked badly fron the diff side :bangdesk: when i got the new ones i also realized that the holes in the bushes for the bolts were oval they should be round with horizontal 'slot' on mine the 'slot' was completely worn away by the bolts so the holes were oval...

hope that helps if you need pics because my description does not make sense let me know

 

[frikkieh]

You might as well do the front ones too while you are at it.

 

[moranor@axis]

if you going to do the fronts i can give you dimensions for those if it will help... pretty must the same setup as the other puller just smaller parts the 12mm thread bar will work for both :rollsmile:

 

[netercol]

damn, was so hoping not to have to remove the diff (x 2!)..

thanx for the info, i will experiment a bit this weekend coming.. :yuck:

 

[Sankekur]

If you remove the diff just be sure to have a extra pair of hands around to help you, as it works much better that trying to support and remove it using a jack. Extra hands also help to put the parking brake on and off.