BMW E46 M3 Rear Subframe Refresh DIY (Trailing Arm Bushings, Camber Arms, Differential Mounts)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- ►Keeping up with your BMW E46 M3's rear subframe is an essential part of the ownership process, especially when it's prone to cracks and failures. In this video, Gareth Foley, our BMW catalog manager, is here to take you through the process of refreshing the rear subframe as well as some components around it including the differential mounts, trailing arm bearings, and camber arms.
The differential cover bushings are not a serviceable item per BMW meaning if the bushings have failed you will be required to replace the entire cover as a unit. This differential mount kit from Revshift includes new bushings for the differential cover, as well as the mount, pressed on the subframe.
Syncro Design Works' rear trailing arm bearing updates and improves the rear suspension in BMW 3-Series E36 and E46, and Z4, by eliminating binding and deflection through adding precision and longevity. Syncro Design Works RTAB's utilize an OE developed bearing, designed for long-life while offering full articulation for optimal suspension geometry.
Your camber will always change when you lower a car. Often times, it is impossible to get correct alignment with the factory cam bolts and control arms. For this reason, Eibach built this kit to allow for a wide range of adjustment that will help improve the adjustability of your BMW's alignment but will also help get the best performance possible performance from pre-existing suspension mods. Additionally, adding this kit will also help cut down on excessive tire wear that can occur when you lower a vehicle.
Read this DIY on our blog: blog.fcpeuro.c...
Shop the parts used in this video here:
Synchro Design WorksTrailing Arm Kit: www.fcpeuro.co...
Revshift Differential Mount Kit: www.fcpeuro.co...
Eibach Camber Arm Kit: www.fcpeuro.co...
Bushing Removal/Install Tool: www.fcpeuro.co...
You will need the following tools for this job:
25-inch crowbar
12-inch crowbar
24oz mallet
32oz ball peen
24oz ball peen
Metal file
Brass punch
1/2 inch torque wrench
1/2 Flex head
1/4 Flex head
1/2 inch flex head stubby
10" 3/8 extension
10" 1/2 extension
Large & small channel lock pliers
Pliers
Side cutters
Needle nose pliers
Various picks
Screwdrivers
16mm stubby ratcheting wrench
13mm stubby ratcheting wrench
12mm stubby ratcheting wrench
17mm stubby ratcheting wrench
19mm stubby ratcheting wrench
12mm box end ratcheting wrench
11mm box end ratcheting wrench
10mm box end ratcheting wrench
13mm box end ratcheting wrench
16 box end ratcheting wrench
18mm box end ratcheting wrench
19mm box end ratcheting wrench
21mm box end ratcheting wrench
14mm wrench
16mm wrench
17mm wrench
18mm wrench
19mm wrench
24mm wrench
27mm wrench
E12 socket
E14 socket
E16 socket
8mm socket
10mm socket
13mm socket
16mm socket
17mm socket
19mm socket
22mm socket
6mm six-point
7mm six-point
8mm impact socket
9mm impact socket
12mm impact socket
13mm impact socket
16mm impact socket
17mm impact socket
18mm impact socket
19mm impact socket
21mm impact socket
22mm impact socket
30mm impact socket
This DIY Applies To The Following Vehicles:
BMW M3
2001 BMW M3
2002 BMW M3
2003 BMW M3
2004 BMW M3
2005 BMW M3
2006 BMW M3
BMW Z4
2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe
2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe
2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster
2008 BMW Z4 M Roadster
2008 BMW Z4 M Coupe
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Get free parts from FCP Euro:
www.fcpeuro.co...
Follow FCP Euro on:
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Shop the parts used in this video here:
Synchro Design WorksTrailing Arm Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-trailing-arm-monoball-kit-syncro-design-works-rtab%20?
Revshift Differential Mount Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-differential-mount-80a-revshift-pdbe46m80a%20?
Eibach Camber Arm Kit: www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-pro-alignment-kit-steel-5-67110k?
Hey, show some love to the E38 and please do a similar video. No one has a video on changing the self leveling valve/lines.
Every time I watch this video and I hear you say "This is really a 2 day job" I reflect back on the 3 months I have been working on this (with reinforcements).
😓
You’re just slow they did the whole job in an hour and 11 minutes
Best channel EVER for those of us who enjoy working on our E46’s. No annoying music or wasted words. Directions are clear, concise and delivered step by step.
That's the goal 💪, glad you enjoyed it!
Outstanding video, no crappy music, no dude who thinks he's funny trying to be my friend, just the work that needs to be done. I'm going to watch them all.
Thanks
i agree......
If somebody can do it his garage DIY, he can have my respect. Nice job really
Thanks so much!
This is an advanced DIY, trying to figure out how much of a headache I want for my e36
85 to 95 percent of the work on my M3 is I do myself, thank you for highlighting the other 15, unless The good Lord blesses me with a lift, I'll gladly pay to have this work done...gladly.
Fantastic Video, I am currently doing all this work on my 330ci, and this has been indispensable. Keep these videos coming!
How long did it take you to complete the job?
It took me about two weeks working on it when I could.
Incredible video man... I can't tell you how much this has helped to clarify all of the wear components there are in the suspension of an E46. Working towards piecing together a parts list for my 2005 330i ZHP so that I can do (or have a friend do lol) all of the front and rear suspension wear components. I still have a decent amount of research to do, but I'm looking for I guess what you described as a "OEM+" feel since I've ruined cars in the past by going too much on the race side of things.
This content is amazing, keep them coming and I will keep watching, and giving you more money for parts lol
Thanks for watching Michael! It definitely can be quite difficult finding all the bushings and suspension components that have to be replaced on these cars - luckily, the E46's design is quite simple compared to others. As far as what Gareth meant by an OEM+ feel - he was referencing the fact that the bushings used in this video will provide better performance (bit more lockdown of the parts and less "give" in the bushings for a sportier feel) but will introduce just a slight bit more NVH into the cabin. Choosing these parts won't "ruin" the comfort and drivability of a street car at all.
2006 330ci ZHP owner here.
Gareth,
Have to say, you really know your stuff... If we’re honest, not really a DIY job, best left to a professional ( like yourself ) to ensure it’s done right.
Philip Lee its certainly not for the feint of heart, but hopefully even if its not this job you or anyone else decides to tackle you're still able to pickup some tips and tricks for some things that pertain to it. Thanks for watching we appreciate the support!
I love my E46 and the DYI attributes and supportive community, but I agree this may be beyond my DYI abilities, but if I decide to tackle this task (and can arrange an alternate commute to work for a week or two) THIS is the detailed guide I'll follow!
Ive always used a pair of pliers to remove the retaining clip on the caliper. I’ve been doing it wrong the whole time.. you learn something new everyday😂
Just a year too late for me!!! it would have saved me so much time watching this, really good informative and accurate.
Sorry NEIL! Had we known we woulda chalked up this project for last year ^.^ well now at least if you ever have to do it again... you can reference this
@@fcpeuro Ha Ha!
Push the brake cable out from the outside with a punch while someone gently pulls from inside.
I just pop the shoe expander out and the spring comes off by hand. That special tool looks handy!
Long time watcher first time commenter. Would love to see a video about replacing the starter! Thaks for the awesome parts and content y'all.
Even though i dont own an e46 m3, i still enjoyed watching this video.
These e46m3 look sooooo good...makes me smile each time I see them;) thanks for sharing
One note for this video is about the E-brake. Should really be advising to take the lines from the cabin. Try to pull the line with ferrul through the subframe tunnel is nonsensical. I don't even want to see how it is pushing it back through. Perhaps I missed it but seems that part was left out =). Thanks for all the amazing content and parts service.
Highly recommend spending the money for the subframe removal tool-M3 specific. Those bushing are seized in and this tool (Baum?) made removal a breeze. Your other (and popular) alternative is melting the bushing with a torch then hacksawing the race out of the subframe
Gareth is a beast.
Thanks sforza spending the time to make this video and very well done all this is very helpful for a lot of people. Thanks again.
Awesome video guys... I'm half way through putting mine back together. Installed the subframe and diff, without first doing the spring perch arm. FAIL. Now done it all over again. I wish I had seen your vid earlier - would have saved me a lot of time!
That was an amazing video, much more work to replace those than I ever thought. Thanks again for taking the time to document the process! WHEW
17:00 for those watching, don’t waste your time removing parking break cables back-to-front. It is a major PITA to get them off the trailing arm in the first place and then if you have my luck, the cables will NOT physically fit through the subframe channels. Like there is no way. The channel on the subframe is about 0.5mm smaller in diameter than the large metal end of the parking break cable.
Just remove them front to back and save yourself 2 hours.
Best channel ever, detail, patient.
Your videos are the best, clear and thorough.....Thanks Gareth!
Please do a test drive video. With after comments since before may not be filmed.
loengunblade you're right, we had wanted to do a before and after comparison but once the job was finished up and we realized how long it was we didn't end up doing it. I'm sure we can make a follow up video though!
Holy cow! What a Job! But it had to be done! Awesome Work! Thanks for making this video! I'm about to Do the Sam thing to my 05 E46 330 Ci! I ordered Powerflex bushings! If I need extra hardware! I'll come back to your video for reference! Keep up the great work! And keep making these cool and informative videos!
Man, I love all of you'll videos. I wish you could work on my car and do a full front and rear suspension job. Thanks for all!!
I must correct you about the differential cover bushings. BMW just offers the whole cover as replacement for the E46 M3, but the E36 M3 differential cover bushings are the same size, and these are fully replaceable and you can buy them separately and swap them at the old E46 M3 diff cover plate.
Thank you very much for the video, it will be perfect if a clean up of the dirty pieces be cleaned.
Question: what was the reason for torquing the subframe to body nuts and bolts at the very end, after it was completely loaded, as opposed to immediately after the subframe was mounted?
my guy is a champ, not even 10 minutes in and he is drenched in his sweat.
Yeah, so what!
Great job Gareth and appreciate all of the tips for us mere mortals. Please keep these types of videos coming.
There's plenttyyy more G nuggets of knowledge on the way!
How do u keep note of what nuts and bolts went where , I know I’d end up in a mess 😅
You are not joking that this was a big job!
No small undertaking Beemerboy88 , but totally worth it 😬
Great video, seriously a ton of work but well worth it. Wouldn't bother without a lift haha. I'd probably replace as many wear parts as possible if I took this on.
Undoubtedly a lift makes this job a bit more approachable. With enough time and patience its doable lifted off the ground on jack stands, just takes a few more days of pizza and beer 😂
Hello, I would like to know how many newton meters the front and rear bolts of the differential must be tightened and the bolts that secure the cardan shaft to the differential heater?
Why would you not clean up the frame and paint it after going through the effort you did? Great video, thorough, and very informative.
time
its not HIS car...he is paid to do specific work.......you only go the extra mile if its your own car
will get my parts thru u since .your vids are well done
Thank you so much!
Did you guys fix the cracks? You really could have done a Subframe repair video and an RTAB repair video...would be nice! Just saying! (This makes me want to sell my M3 - scary)
That little impact is tremendous.
It does some serious work. One of our favorite tools in the box for sure
@@fcpeuro 1/2" stubby?
@@jayparnes yupp, pure gold, super lightweight too.
If one orders the stock rubber bushings for the rear suspension, as I have done, do you require special tooling to get them in without damaging them? In my research online, I have only seen people replace the bushings with the polyurethane ones that do not require any special tools to get them in.
Update to anyone curious:
Wire Brush on a drill as well as a set of Scotchbrite wheels of various sizes allowed me to very thoroughly clean and polish the bores of the subframe to receive the new rubber bushings. As such, with just a little dish detergent, the bushings actually slid in with only a small amount of dead blow hammer wacks as opposed to the horror show that was the removal process. All fresh bushings seated correctly and are lined up without much issue.
To get to that difficult nut, BMW recommends getting at it from above with an extension...
Nice work Gareth! Awesome shop!
Thanks, Jason! Glad you like it!
I definitely learned something. RWD is a pain way deep in the ass. I don't wanna have to do all this on my 330xi, ever 😭😭😭
Great job and video though 👍👍👍
Professional Job Many recommendations, tricks and tips for disassembly and assembly to get things in place.🙃🤔 and I see how tough it can be to get it fixed. He is hard-working. Great job! 👍😊
Dude, Subtitles! 🙉
That was a huge job. Well done
Great video but you put the upper control arm bolts through sub frame backwards
Thank you for the note, Joe!
Thanks so much for videos like this, all the best.
Thank you for wrenching with us!
Great diy
Need a video of bleeding the clutch and how it works in one reservoir tank shared
Great stuff guys ! Just made a purchase at fcp euro the other day !
It’d be nice to get a look a your personal E36
We think there will be a lot more E36 content coming from Gareth Foley this fall, check out his channel to find a few pieces that he's already uploaded.
th-cam.com/users/GarethFoleyMedia
Are these the wrong diff bushings ? I see online these that were installed in the video are for the e36
Still tough getting off old bushings 😢
Hi Gareth. I am doing a complete rear end refresh and planning to use the adjustable rear camber arms as well as I had a seized eccentric bolt in the balljoint and will be slightly lowering the suspension. May you please provide the part number for the non eccentric bolts used? I notice it needs to have a sleeve portion for the bushing and threaded end however not sure how to find it on the fcp site. Thank you!
How many miles were on the M3 when you did this work?
Why didn't you put the air gun on that stuck bolt on both sides ??
is the top ball joint same as lower bushing on trailing arm? non m3, i mean can i use same tools for removing and installing.
Hit the set screw for the rotors with a hammer, loosen the rust and the bolt a bit
Besides the parts, how much would this cost labor wise?
I’m wondering the same thing
Dude, use eye protection when using a wire wheel on a drill 🙈
loved that :) salutes from the uk
Glad you enjoyed it!
Anybody knows torque for the three bolts in the pocket? Awesome vid btw!!!
For the trailing arm bracket to the body, you are looking at 57flbs (77NM)
@@fcpeuro thanks!! You guys are the best
I purchased these same diff bushings from fcp it said they are for the 46 m3 and now on the website it says there for the e36…
Hi Chase, per the listing on the monoball kit: Includes two spherical monoball trailing arm bushings, the ultimate performance solution to trailing arms on E36, E46, E85/E86 BMW's :)
Can I use those parts on a regular 328ci e46?
Great job. I haven’t watched the whole video, just skipped around to gather inspiration. So in case I missed: Does this job apply to e46 non M models as well ? Thanks you very much for this.
I believe it does apply to non m3
the only thing that's not M3 specific is the forward differential mount which is different
This looks like a somewhat challenging job even for a pro with a lift. To do in the driveway on jackstands? I don't know.
Plenty of patience, pizza, time, and a friend helps immensely Garth!
@@fcpeuroany reason why you couldn't have reassembled the entire rear off the vehicle and lifted it all as a unit, the same way you pulled it off?
@@chrislittle7286 Some do do that.
Gareth - thanks for the show-and-tell! Can you specify the Baum Tool for the subframe by number?
Here ya go Rick! www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140 . Its also designed so that you can remove the subframe mounts without actually removing the entire subframe.
I notice that you’ve replaced the rear springs, but you don’t talk about why or what to look for. My rear suspension seems to be sagging or at least too low. The tires were damaged by contact with the body.
For rear springs, sagging is a huge indicator they need to be changed (you'll also want to insoect shocks for oil leakage or that they're compressed) If the tires were damaged its possible your shocks are allowing for too much tarvel on a bouncy spring
@@fcpeuro It's my understanding that to get the right springs, there's a VIN table in the BMW ETK. Can you help with this or is all that really necessary?
@@Beyond-Repair you can contact us at service@fcpeuro.com and we can ensure you're getting the right springs per your vin.
hi can you give me advice regarding change power flex bushes or make original bushes for subframe bmw e46 e36 m3
Hi Nathan, that will all be dependent on the type of ride you want to get out of your M3, and what you will be using it for. In this case, the M3 we used will be seeing some autocross and track days from time to time, so the owner wanted to upgrade. However, if you are looking for a standard OE replacement, we stock bushings would be the way to go!
Awesome vid, need to do this to my e39 528i
where did you buy the mat?? the really big one on the ground that covers the entire vehicle.? would like to know thanks. good video as always
That matt is from ULINE. Part # H-2345.
Great video but that was a lot of work to avoid removing two 10mm nuts in the interior.
Not really the way it works. If detached from inside it still has to come out from the subframe and the chassi
Great videos. Can u tell me how long it would take to replace 2 bushings?
Which two bushings, Michael?
Awesome work and explanations, you made look easy this hard work. Are you tall? Because I see that you're not completely straight while working under the car lift, and I usually have the same problem, would like to have more free room for my 6' 4" :D
whats the bushing removal tool called that one makes it so much easier
Thanks for watching Andrew - here's the tool we used www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-subframe-mount-removal-and-installation-tool-baum-b334140?
just subbed! thank you so much for the savings w my thermostat and fuel filter!
Happy to help Starting Tech, we appreciate the support!
FCP Euro gonna buy a water pump and lower hose as well as abs sensor soon! Huge order incoming ! I need an fcp euro sticker!
USA m3's come with a different exhaust rear box... ? And different rear disks/rotor's.....? Why ?
Live in CT not too far from FCP. Any local shops you would recommend taking my E46 M3 to when it comes to getting work like this done if I am uncomfortable tackling?
I do everything myself, but I have heard good things about Innovative Motorsports (Milford), Helmuts garage (Milford) and Excelerate performance (Branford). I am sure there are many more
Another killer how to by Gareth. Just add a German accent and they will be perfect. ;-)
Super darn great video
Thanks sir pls upload fr subframe removal and engine removal of bmw 5 series
Thanks for watching Amir. Unfortunately that video won't be coming soon in the pipeline but we'll try to help any other ways we can!
Anyone know a good shop in Tampa Bay Area to do this job?
Thanks so much🫐😎
could anyone clarify - he torqued the RTAB mounting plate without angling it correctly or accounting for load direct- was this acceptable because of the upgraded ball joint and its ability to rotate??? or was this wrong as I'm thinking
Thought of that too. Repair manual says to torque it angled to the bearing
Awesome video!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks Andrey, you're pretty awesome yourself, thank YOU
Is this process similar to a 330Ci?
Good job 👍
Oh my God 🙈 great job
You tha man G!!!
Nice job...keep going
Thanks a lot, we definitely will!
You don't have to disassemble the caliper from the caliper bracket. Just remove the bracket and the caliper comes with it
Great tip, Greg!
Could'ev just heated it up but I guess cutting works as well
Wow! When my mechanic said going into differential would cost more than car..... I thought he meant transmission. /his may be worse.
Is there a difference between non m and m subframes?
Subframe looks the same, the diff is slightly different on my 330c, directionally it's the same.
what condition was theses olds subframe and diferencial bushes??
They were pretty worn out!
legend!!!!
Gareth, are you a fan of AVE?? "Engage safety squints!"
I sure am.
😮
So much easier to pull handbrake cables from the front and leave rear brakes intact...
good job !
I would like to see more e92 content 🙏🏾
More coming soon! We already have plenty of E9X content on the channel if you check out some of our other uploads 👍