1991 E36 320iSE 4 door saloon...

Hi all, someone must be able to help. Had my beemer since feb last year.  In april had the nsr bearing replaced, since then the back of the car seems to leap and lurch all over the place when you hit a pot hole or bump. The back end is all over the place and feels out of control. Had the shocks replaced thinking it was that, but was then told it could be the bushes...i'm aware that there's quite a few bushes on the rear suspension, which ones imparticular could it be that's making my car a near death trap when the roads a bit slippy like??? and rough guesstimate on how much it could set me back...ta

Blackcat,

The rear bushes that usually cause most problems with handling are the Z arm bushes. These are the large bushes that connect the front of the rear suspension arms to the body. I had mine changed and it transformed the car. As for cost, that will vary depending on who you get to do the work. It will probably be between £100 and £200 from a decent speciallist. 

Mine was clunking on the body as the inner part of the bush had slipped out and knocked on the body. Because it was out the car must have been crabbing slightly as the steering wheel was of centre when driving straight, replaced the bush and the wheel was straight again!

It cost me £16 for 2 M3 bushes (supposed to be a firmer rubber) and an 1.5 hrs to fit!!

Thanks peter...another quick question, is the z-arm the same as the trailing arm??? and is it the bush just infront of the rear wheel close to the rear jack point? and...do u need a specialist tool to remove/replace the bush or is it fairly straight forward?

And dave...how did u manage to change the bushes? peter says it would cost £100 to £200 to fit and the bushes are quite cheap...are you a mechanic with all the tools and knowledge...coz i'm hoping that I can do it myself...i may not be knowledgable but i'm willing and able to give it a try and £16 is far better than £100+

Blackcat,

Yes, that is the bush I am refering to. Not sure about special tools but I do know that when I had mine replaced the mechanic had a hell of a job getting the old ones out. The bush it self is rubber with an aluminium casing, meaning you have a metal to metal joint with the suspension arm. This casing tends to corrode making the bush a pig to remove. I would only atempt it if you have a tool to press the old bush out. You probably need a similar tool to put the new bush in as it is a tight fit.

The price I gave was from a BMW speciallist. The reason I couldn't be more specific was that when I got mine done I also had a lot of other work done as well. There is no reason why you couldn't get  if done somewhere cheaper, i'm sure any competant mechanic could fit them.

Mind you, this is the kind of job that I would have done myself if I had a garage, and the right tools.  

Just had a quote for the Z-arm bushes on the mrs 325i 4dr....BM specialist  gave me a price of £100 + VAT. Also got the horrible, un-nerving, jiggles at the rear while cornering. 

I've been told the same as what Peter mentioned, without the right tools it can be a total arse of a job. Don't think just over £100 is too bad a price to pay. Have a ring about and see what prices you get.

Scott

I've replied to your PM, Blackcat.

An easy job with the right tools!!