[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by cptcrunch

Are you able to upgrade these at home, or is it best to take it to a shop to install?

As you know, it totally depends on your level of technical expertise and experience. This is not a job I would tackle unless I worked on cars for a living. Something about pounding non-polyurethane bushings into place is supposed to be very difficult. When the very experienced BMW suspension mechanic saw that I had bought Delrin/aluminum bushings he looked like he was about to cry. Bottomline: supposed to be a complete nightmare to install.

[335D Alpha Pappa]

This tool might help:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415392

[cptcrunch]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

As you know, it totally depends on your level of technical expertise and experience. This is not a job I would tackle unless I worked on cars for a living. Something about pounding non-polyurethane bushings into place is supposed to be very difficult. When the very experienced BMW suspension mechanic saw that I had bought Delrin/aluminum bushings he looked like he was about to cry. Bottomline: supposed to be a complete nightmare to install.

Okay, that makes sense. I'm at 60k now and I can tell I need bushings about everywhere. Especially in the rear. I'm looking at upgrade options, going with M3 bushings and control arms and trying to figure out if I can do the install (ok mechanically inclined) or if I should just take it to a shop.

[chance91]

Originally Posted by cptcrunch

Okay, that makes sense. I'm at 60k now and I can tell I need bushings about everywhere. Especially in the rear. I'm looking at upgrade options, going with M3 bushings and control arms and trying to figure out if I can do the install (ok mechanically inclined) or if I should just take it to a shop.

Some BTDT on other cars, a hydraulic press, bearing/race installer tools, and various pipe/tube that is larger than the bushing being worked on make it incredibly easy. Done the full car on my MX-5, 4 Audis now, a Mazda-3, and a few others. Probably over 200 bushings punched out over the years. Hacksaw/stainless steel braided wire also comes in handy. The E90 rear subframe is typical of other front/rear frames for other makes.

Good luck. I'm sure it will be worth it, in every car I've ever done its a big improvement.

http://www.eastwood.com/media/catalo...e95/p43092.jpg