heavy duty thrust arm bushing question

[Robert K]

I just called the BMW Store in Cincinnati to check on prices for thrust arm bushings for my 1991 535i. I'm doing some front end work and thought I'd renew the bushings before getting it aligned. (I've already checked the ball joints and they are tight.) Anyway, I told the parts guy that I wanted the 750i thrust arm bushings. He did some checking and said that the part number for the 535i, 750i and Euro bushing was the same number. Anyone have any insight into this? Did BMW wake up and spec in a heavy duty thrust arm bushing for replacement in all applications? I can get the bushings from them for $11.36 each and have them here tomorrow, but want to make sure I'm getting the heavy-duty ones. Just wondered if anyone knew the answer to this one for sure.

Regards,

Robert K
1991 535i

[632 Regal]

the 750 bushings are barely an upgrade, Winfred says to get the M5 bushings, they are all rubber and dont have the plastic crap that pretend to un-cripple them.

I can tear up a 750 bushing in one day if I try, they rip easy.

[Tiger]

Mmm... It looks alot stronger....

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L203067283LEM.JPG

[Robert K]

Which bushing are you referring to in the pic? Is that the factory 7 series bushing or an M5 bushing???

Thanks!

Robert K
1991 535i

[Bill R.]

a year old and it still has different numbers in it for each. This link has the numbers and the supercession shown in my etk also

(http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e24/suspension/e24_bushing_upgrade.html)


Which bushing are you referring to in the pic? Is that the factory 7 series bushing or an M5 bushing???

Thanks!

Robert K
1991 535i

[bfd]

the 750 bushings are barely an upgrade, Winfred says to get the M5 bushings, they are all rubber and dont have the plastic crap that pretend to un-cripple them.

I can tear up a 750 bushing in one day if I try, they rip easy.

Well, if you plan on tearing up a *true Boge 750i bushing*, the one with the green insert, be careful, they're liquid filled.

As to the OP question, the 750i bushing p/n is 31 12 1 136 607.

[632 Regal]

ummm....the normal or 750 thrust arm bushings are not liquid filled.


Well, if you plan on tearing up a *true Boge 750i bushing*, the one with the green insert, be careful, they're liquid filled.

As to the OP question, the 750i bushing p/n is 31 12 1 136 607.

[Tiger]

The picture in the link is M5 bushings... which appears solid rubber... whereas the 750iL bushing has three oval holes where it has only 3 points of contact.

[Robert K]

After discussing thrust arm bushings with Patrick at BMW, he confirmed that there were different numbers for the bushings. He suggested visiting www.realoem.com to get the actual BMW part numbers. So, I pulled their site up, and with the 750i bushing number on the screen, I called the stealer back. Turns out the first guy I spoke with had provided numbers for the bushing in the other control arm, not the thrust arm. After finally figuring out which bushing I wanted, he quoted about $55 each. Called Patrick back at BMA and got them for $18 each. He's also going to priority mail them for a few bucks. I was trying to get them from The BMW Store in Cincinnati because they'd always given me decent prices and I get the parts the next day. But I figured paying and extra $74 wasn't worth saving a day or two. Once again, BMW saves the day. Now if I can only get the guts up to pull the rear control arms and replace those bushings!!!

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i

[bfd]

ummm....the normal or 750 thrust arm bushings are not liquid filled.

OK, are you talking about the Boge manufactured 750i bushing, p/n is 31 12 1 136 607? If so, then maybe BMW changed its specs to all rubber.

According to both Steve D'Gerolamo of ultimate garage and Dinan (the originator of using 750i bushings in E24/28/32/34 control arms), the Boge 750i bushing was liquid filled. Interesting.

[632 Regal]

do the Lemforder arms BMA sells use bogue's bushings? I'll take a peek in the barn and see if I can get a number or something off the old bushing.

[bfd]

do the Lemforder arms BMA sells use bogue's bushings? I'll take a peek in the barn and see if I can get a number or something off the old bushing.

Good question. IF BMA is NOT using the correct Boge 750i control arm bushings, then maybe that's why they can sell it so cheap:

http://www.bmaparts.com/epcgetspecials.epc?cookieID=1UD12PQIP1UD12PVT4&drillid=5&level3=E34+5+SERIES&clientid=bmaparts

Here's what you should see:

" If you look closely, you can usually find the last seven digits of the part number on the part itself. For example, the 750i/850i bushings will have "1 136 607" stamped in the green plastic insert which surrounds the center aluminum piece. "

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e24/suspension/e24_bushing_upgrade.html

If the p/n is 31 12 1 139 456 (OR 1 139 456), then you got the *regular* E34 535i bushing, which I do not believe is fluid filled.

On the flip side, from the UUC BMW Digest:

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 23:01:22 -0500
From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [uuc] E34 and E32 thrust arm bushings

I was visiting my friendly neighborhood BMW dealer getting some parts, when
I saw Brett A., Mr. Koalamotorsport himself, swapping out some 740i thrust
arms. I'm looking at the old bushing and notice lots of cracks in the
rubber but no fluid leaking out.

To make a long story short, I took the bushing home and cut it up. There is
NO HYDRAULIC DAMPING in these "hydraulic" bushings. Just nicely molded
rubber with lots of give and two plastic retainers.

They do come in soft, medium and hard, and the M5 has what is probably an
even harder one for twice the price. But no damping chambers filled with
fluid.

Then Rob "I'm the man" Levinson replied:

Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 23:45:02 -0500
From: Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [uuc] E34 and E32 thrust arm bushings

Are you talking about the control arm bushings?

If so, the green E32 bushings definitely have fluid in them... I know the
hard way, from pressing one into a control arm and having the support slip
and force the inner section seperate from the outer section, so it split
open. Fluid oozed everywhere.

Gary replied:

Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 00:41:40 -0500
From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [uuc] E34 and E32 thrust arm bushings

Yes, that's it. There was no fluid or place for fluid (that I could see) in
this one. It was the bushing with the green plastic insert, as used on the
E32 740i and 750i. It was the OEM bushing from a 740i and had a 1993 date
on it.

Then there's this:

Date: Sun, 8 May 2005 09:48:51 -0700
From: "Rodney Moore" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Bmwuucdigest" <bmwuucdigest@uucdigest.com>,
"Norm Reini" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: E28 M5 Thrust arm bushings
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Norm,
The E-34, M5 upper control arm/ thrust rod bushing does not have a plastic
compression limiter installed in it.
I assume Bavarian Auto used the 750 bushing given the photos.
That I understand the M5 bushings (p/n: 31 12 2 226 528) is all rubber
design.
The 750 bushing (p/n: 31 12 1 136 607, also used on the E-31, 850 all to
include the Euro 850CSi) is fluid filled with the plastic limiters.

I have had an E-34, M5 and M6 since 1990 and more recently an 850Ci. I
converted my M5 to the 607 and M6 shortly after to a milled down 607 bushing
early on, in 1994. I have replaced them only once as part of a normal
suspension upgrade/maintenance, not because of a shimmy. I have yet to have
a braking related shimmy with these bushings installed. I also use the
N'ring brakes 345x32mm rotors w/4-piston caliper on all 3 cars so the
bushings have been tested.
The original rubber M5 bushing on my m5 failed when I had the car on jacks
replacing the front brakes.

I would also suggest a lower control arm from the E-31, 8 series (p/n: 31 12
1 138 477/478). The lower control arm is identical to the E-34, E-32
aluminum arm however it has a spherical bearing at the chassis end instead
of the rubber bushing.

Go figure!

[Tiger]

This picture is for 750iL... bimmerparts.com has the Boge one... cost $30 a pop... the M5 is $45 a piece.

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L203031183BOG.JPG

[Tiger]

Umm... you bought the Meyle brand for $18 a piece. They have Sach bushings but Boge and Sach is same company... wondered if it is same stuff... for $2 more...

[Tiger]

Now I am really confused... so not all 750iL bushings are same... BMA only has Meyle and Sach bushings... $20 a piece... They don't have M5 bushings... which is strange.

Bimmerparts has the Boge 750iL bushings for $30 each... they have Lemforder M5 bushings for $44 each.

[gale]

Pelican Parts has the Lemforder 91-93 M5 bushings, 31-12-2-226-528, for $46.25, free shipping. They come 2 to a box so just order 1 item in the shopping cart.

Same bushings as these:

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L203067283LEM.JPG

[Tiger]

Are you sure about that? What about swaybar links?

[gale]

Are you sure about that? What about swaybar links?

Yes, I ordered them in April, thinking I needed 2 and they sent me 2 boxes, 2 to a box, genuine Lemforder. Don't know how they package the swaybar links.

[BillionPa]

swaybar links from the front came single, the rears came in a box as a pair

[Tiger]

I ordered it... I probably get one of each!... LOL... we'll see.

[Robert K]

I told Patrick that the ball joints were in fine condition but that I thought I'd go ahead and replace the bushings while I was into the suspension. I told him I wanted to order the bushing they put in their Lemforder arms with HD bushings. He said it was the $18 bushings, which appear to be Meyles. So, unless I misunderstood something, a BMA Lemforder thrust arm with HD bushing installed comes with a Meyle bushing. I don't feel too bad about that though. I've checked the Meyle site. According to the tech bulletin (link below), they have upgraded the part from the factory spec.

Grace and peace,

Robert K
1991 535i

http://www.meyle.com/html/uploads/techtips/ControlArmBushing_BMW_12.04_en.pdf

[BillionPa]

im using Meyle arms with Meyle HD bushings in them, and if they were stock, they would be toast by now. I have had them almost a year.

[fkong777]

any one with Powerflex bushings? please give feedback.