Back in 2017 I when I had CN lowering springs and Bilsteins installed on my coupe I also had the rear shock towers top’s reinforced by a local shop. They welded in new tops that I had fabricated by a local metal shop. New rubber top bushings were installed. I used the factory style bushes not the two piece bushes that came with the Bilsteins. Lately I’ve been hear a “thunk” over bumps coming from the left rear of my coupe. Upon close inspection the left bush was obviously breaking and had slipped 1/4 inch. The right one looked okay but I ordered a new set of bushings and metal tube inserts from BMW as I didn’t want to take a chance on inferior reproductions.
The bad left bushing:
Yesterday I changed out both left and right bushings Here’s what I found:
The bushing on the left I was in the left tower and the one in the middle was in the right tower. Far right is a new uninstalled bushing.
Glad I decided to change both bushings. The right one looked okay in the car, but once removed, it looked to be failing as well.
The left one had no manufacturer markings but the right right one was genuine BMW. The new ones from BMW had no markings either so who knows where they’re made now. The failing bushes were installed 8 years ago but only about 8 thousand miles ago.
I would think they should have lasted longer. The “thunk” is now gone and the car ride rides great again. So I’ll drive with the radio off from time to time and listen to the car more.
The bad left bushing:
Yesterday I changed out both left and right bushings Here’s what I found:
The bushing on the left I was in the left tower and the one in the middle was in the right tower. Far right is a new uninstalled bushing.
Glad I decided to change both bushings. The right one looked okay in the car, but once removed, it looked to be failing as well.
The left one had no manufacturer markings but the right right one was genuine BMW. The new ones from BMW had no markings either so who knows where they’re made now. The failing bushes were installed 8 years ago but only about 8 thousand miles ago.
I would think they should have lasted longer. The “thunk” is now gone and the car ride rides great again. So I’ll drive with the radio off from time to time and listen to the car more.
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