Trailing Arm Bushing: Service and Repair

With the trailing arm removed, the rubber mounts can be removed for replacement due to wear or for installation of eccentric bushings to correct toe (rear wheel alignment).

Installed Angle Of Eccentric Bushing:

Example Of Matching Eccentric Bushings:

The rubber bushings are pressed into the trailing arms. BMW specifies special tools to remove them and to install replacements. Each bushing has a larger diameter shoulder on one end. This shoulder always faces away from the trailing arm. In other words, the inner bushing's shoulder faces the center of the car and the outer bushings shoulder faces away from the car.

Nominal Toe Correction Vs. Installed Position:

Standard replacement bushings are concentric. They need not be lined up in any particular way for installation. When installing the eccentric bushings to change toe, however, their installed position is critical.

NOTE: The maximum amount the bushing should be turned either way is 4 1/2 (90~).