Play in rear wishbone bush ... how much is acceptable

[mrman17]

I get it Hunter aligned every year - but its been like this for >1 year now.

The last alignment was about 3 weeks ago (prior to the suspension change) and it didn't change anything.

It should be done again, as geometry checks should be done after the suspension change (I'm probably stating the obvious here). If I were really fussy, I would possibly even get the geometry checked after the bushes had "settled in" after a couple hundred miles or so.

That doesn't look massively excessive to me for standard non-poly bushes - however, part of testing a bush is how it feels (how much force I would have to apply to make it move that far), and that can't be judged by looking alone.

Who did the change? I don't know how the bushes are fitted on this, so it may not apply, but often bushes must be tightened with the weight on the wheels. If you do not do this, the bushes are over-stressed in their "normal" position and will wear out prematurely.

[Leon27]

I find the best test to use, as with an E46 or old shape X5, drive the car, 5-10mph, then do a quick tap on the brake pedal, if you feel a "donk" then you'll likely need new bushes. If a second person can see the wheel movement from the outside when you brake sharpish then it's even better. The wheel will look like its moved backwards and if it does then you need new bushes.

With a bar the bushes do move about a bit but I don't know how much force you are using?

As Dolly said, this job is straight forward with the subframe down (I assume he's a bmw tech too?) I've never ever tried to press the bush out of the casing as if the bolts are too tight which they normally are, it's far too time consuming. As he said get the brackets all in especially if you are doing the job yourself.

I'd recommend Lemforder bushes over Meyle if you are not going genuine. I don't know if I had the only dodgy set made but I couldn't push the bush onto the wishbone, it was far too tight. Went genuine and it went flying on...

[Ben Lessani]

i know its easy for me to say but its amazingly easy to drop the subframe.

You've got a full workshop!

I know its not hard. But its access that is the problem. Removing the subframe on the driveway is just a PITA. Especially since I work solo on the car (billy no mates!).

The car is progressively driving more and more crap, so I'll have to do something soon.