I need some bush! - BMW Forum

BLACKBMW · 08-24-2004, 07:41 AM

Hi, I think I have identified why my girl is "tramlining" all over the place...

Thanks go to nycbmw who sent me a few informative pms...

Seems that it is a bush (bushing) problem as my mechanic has identified that they are wearing and probably havent been changed in ten years! Although, they are still intact they are crumbling at the edges slightly and must have degraded

So, I have decided to look at uprating the stock bushes to harder ones...which should sacrifice a little comfort but give me a much more positive drive...

Any ideas where in the UK I can start looking or does anyone have any experience with uprating their bushes to harder/performance type ones?!?

My mech thinks that they should all be roughly the same size is this true - will M3 bushes fit a 94 318is etc etc??

Thanks for any help in advance

J...

jllphan · 08-24-2004, 09:22 AM

I don't see where worn bushings would cause tremeling. Generally this occurs when one fits larger wheels and tires to their ride.

If they are worn replace 'em. And yes harder urethane bushings are the way to go. It will firm up the ride a bit, but you will be rewarded with better handling and won't have to replace them any time soon.

nycbmw325is · 08-24-2004, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jllphan@Aug 24 2004, 10:02 AM
I don't see where worn bushings would cause tremeling. Generally this occurs when one fits larger wheels and tires to their ride.

If they are worn replace 'em. And yes harder urethane bushings are the way to go. It will firm up the ride a bit, but you will be rewarded with better handling and won't have to replace them any time soon.

Dont see where worn bushings would cause tramlining ? Hmm... Tell then kind sir, what are the dynamics involved in tramlining and what if any is the relationship between these dynamics and the phenomenon of tramlining....

I agree that larger wheel/tires can contribute to this conditon, but please explain how why worn bushings dont...

BLACKBMW · 08-24-2004, 09:40 AM

Hi jllphan, so if it is larger tyres and alloys why was it doing it with the original wheels on?

I'm not being funny about your post it is just that I have alot of conflicting answers - some more convincing than others!

I have been into a tyre place and they said it is the wheels/weight & size - dont change the bushes it wont help!

My mechanic has said the bushes are worn and need replacing and this should help!

nycbmw has said that replacing the bushes will help but might not completely remove the problem!

Now I'm going to change them anyway - just need to know if M3 bushes will fit my 318is or where can I get bushes that will fit that are harder in the UK!?!

Please help

J...

bigred318 · 08-24-2004, 10:30 AM

my girlfriends car had a worn out bushing on the right side which would cause the car to knock around right hand turns and potholes... so if thats tramling" replace it

DAvid

jllphan · 08-24-2004, 10:33 PM

No need to get pissy nyc, just don't see the relation. I guess if one's bushings had deteriorated to the point of crumbling, this would effect one's ride, but far greater than tremeling would occur. Hell, it could get so bad that the car would be all over the road!

As read in many publications tremeling is a phenomenon associated with a big enough contact patch that the tires over power the rest of the steering to a point of short veering when encountering rough spots in a road at low speeds. Bad bushings would be vastly more severe.

Like I said origionally, if your bushings are worn and crumbling replace them. That's just common sense. I'm sure nyc gave you good advice if he recomended replacement, as do I.

BLACKBMW · 08-25-2004, 03:24 AM

Thanks jllphan,

I'm now pretty convinced that the bad handling is caused by a combination of the worn bushes and the 17X8's that I have on my ickle 318is

Hopefully the replacement bushes will help some!

J...

waxfondlr · 09-22-2004, 01:01 PM

arg..My car is all over the place...i was gonna wait untill i got coilovers and sways to replaces bushings and ball joints, but i dont think ill be able to wait that long,, is it a good idea to replace the control arms at the same time?...
P.S,, whats the status on your vehicles wobble now BlackBMW? what did you replace if anything,,and is the shimmy gone...

docrobot · 09-22-2004, 02:03 PM

Does Energy Suspension make E36 and E36 M3 bushings kits?

They really tightened up my second last ride better than the original OEM new car feeling!

BLACKBMW · 09-23-2004, 03:51 AM

HI Wax,

To be honest I havent done Jack...I am putting up with it until I can have a load of work done at once as I need my car for work!

I have found that at low speeds the car is worse so I just drive hard the whole time...different surfaces definitely make a big difference and where a road has been patched up but with a different type of surface to the original is when I notice it most.

I do have to get it done soon though and will let you know if it improves

J...

bitcore · 09-23-2004, 05:11 PM

If specific bushings are loose, they will allow the alignment of the wheels to shift, causing your car to turn the direction that the wheel is facing. If they are really loose, then you will notice that your car likes to follow the bumps in the road a whole lot since each affected individual wheel is trying to go on it's on path.