Subframe Bushing R&R Tool Rental

[davintosh]

July 16, 2013 Update: The tool is no longer available for rent. Sorry!

When I bought my X5, the subframe bushings were toast. I'd replaced the subframe bushings on my e32 before, and tried using my home-built puller on the X5 (after making some modifications) but found it just wasn't up to the task. So I broke down and bought the Baum Tools B334140X5 REAR AXLE CARRIER SUBFRAME BUSHING R&R tool set.



It's an awesome collection of machined metal bits that work together to make the job of replacing the subframe bushings relatively fast and easy. The tool is very heavy-duty, very easy to use, and no doubt will last through many, many subframe bushing removal/installs. Of course, replacing the subframe bushings is typically an every 100,000 mile deal, so it's unlikely I'll ever replace them again on this particular X5. Rather than selling it or letting it collect dust, I thought I'd make it available for rent & save you the expense of buying your own or worse, paying through the nose to have someone else do the work for you.

I'm trying to keep the rental terms pretty relaxed, but my desire to keep the the puller in serviceable condition, and to minimize my risk in sending it out requires some conditions...

1. The rental fee is $50 for the first week of use. If you need to keep it for more than a week, it's $10 for each subsequent day until the tool is returned.
2. The clock starts the day you receive the package and stops the day you ship it back & send me a tracking number.
3. Before I ship the tool to you, I ask that you send a deposit payment to me via PayPal of $300 (which is the replacement cost of the tool.) If PayPal doesn't work for you, let me know and we can discuss alternatives.
4. I'll send it out via USPS Priority Mail (insured, with delivery confirmation) at my cost at my earliest convenience; I'll shoot for the same day, but sometimes life gets in the way.
5. Once you receive it, you use it and care for it as if it were your own; when you're done, you clean it up, put it back in the provided packaging, and return the kit by the same method (you'll need to get a fresh box Priority Mail box from the Post Office for the return trip; they're free.)
6. When I receive the tool and verify its condition, I refund your deposit minus the rental fee.
7. For now, rental is limited to members residing in the US only. I have no idea what kind of hassles or delays would be involved in shipping to another country, so... I might change my mind later, but for now... Sorry!

One of the things that was a little lacking was a wrench to turn the bottom nut when removing or installing a bushing; I used a 15/16" open end wrench, but something with a ratcheting action would've made it far easier. So I purchased a 15/16" GearWrench ratcheting combination wrench to go with the kit. I sure wish I had bought it before doing mine! And this is probably as good a place to mention it as any; this puller is not designed to be used with power tools. It really doesn't take much effort to turn the wrench to get the old bushings out, so there's really no need for power tools anyway. An impact wrench, air or electric, will likely damage something, and if there's damage... I'd rather not have to find out how expensive replacement parts are for this thing, and I don't think you'd want to have to pay for them.



So that's pretty much it. If you're interested in renting this tool, pm me or email me at david dot g dot thornton at gmail dot com , and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able.

Here's a time-lapse video of me using the tool for the first time. Even with the trial and error of figuring out how it works, it only took about an hour to remove & replace the bushing on that corner. The others took less time. Hopefully watching this video will help you avoid some of the mistakes I made. I'm in the process of putting together step-by-step instructions; I'll probably include it in this thread. I'll include a printed copy of the minimal instructions that came with the tool, along with a photocopy of the page in the Bentley manual that covers the job.

2013-02-13 Update: I just finished adding a detailed instruction set for using this tool to remove and install the subframe bushings; click here to make the jump.

[whfh99]

I'm interested in renting this when available. Just ordered my bushings the other day. One related question, do you need to loosen all four subframe bushings before removing the bushings or is it possible to do them one at a time?

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by whfh99

I'm interested in renting this when available. Just ordered my bushings the other day. One related question, do you need to loosen all four subframe bushings before removing the bushings or is it possible to do them one at a time?

Cool; you're officially on the list. I'll pm you with more details.

When I did mine, I loosened two of the bushings on one side at a time; that allows the subframe on that side to sag enough to get the follower plate and the nut on top of the bushing. Here's a good writeup on the bushing replacement -- http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tempt-2-a.html x5girl uses a tool that's a bit different from mine, but the principle is the same.

[Ricky Bobby]

I'm hoping to rent this from you after Mid- November if possible man! Just need some time to pay a couple bills and get the Meyle HD bushing replacements!

Awesome idea on the ratcheting wrench too, I have one but may not be the right size so thats awesome that you are including that!

Btw, did you feel the need for an alignment after replacing the 4 bushins or no?

[davintosh]

I haven't had it aligned, but probably will do so after I replace a few other parts in the rear end; the ball joints, integral links, guiding suspension links, and wishbones are next. I know it'll need alignment after that. All of the alignment-related stuff attaches to the car through the subframe, so I kinda doubt it would be needed after just replacing the bushings.

[mrathell]

Nice! So about how long did it take you per bushing?

[davintosh]

Originally Posted by mrathell

Nice! So about how long did it take you per bushing?

The rear bushing in the video was about an hour start to finish; I had done the front bushing on the right side the week before using my home-built tool (and managed to destroy the tool.) The left side went much quicker than the right; it was probably an hour & a half for both of them. Setting things up probably took about as much time as the removal & replacement on the left side.

[mrathell]

I will definitely be on your list for tool rental. After viewing your video, I feel confident in taking on the job myself. Thanks at bunch.

[nebilex]

Nice video and thanks for including the link for the dyi... I see u used the blow torch to soften up the rubber, would using a wd40 or any other penetrating oil work as well or is it sitter to tight the oil won't get through?

[romeokc10]

Will this handle the Power Flex polyurethane bushings?