E24: Overhaul rear trailing arms (rubber bushings no-DIY!)
This post describes the overhaul of the rear trailing arms on an E24 M635CSi, item 8 in the picture below. This includes replacement of the rubber bushings (item 9) that attach the trailing arms to the axle carrier frame. Unfortunately, pressing the bushings out of- and into the trailing arm requires some special heavy-duty tools, and eventually I had to fall back to the BMW workshop to get that job done. Nevertheless, the procedure requires to remove the trailing arms, so that is what is described in this post. Pressing the rubber mounts out of (and back in to) the trailing arm, is virtually impossible with common pulling devices (usually consisting of a threaded spindle and press pieces). Maybe if you heat up the trailing arm. BMW Repair Manual refers to the use of a hydraulic press, special tool 23 0 080, as shown in the picture below. Rather than the standard workshop press, this is a kind of hydraulic jack, with a counterstay attached to it. If you're handy with a welder