Making Solid Subframe Bushings for the S550 Subframe Swap

[@bradhulton1113]

I've been making all my own bushings and mounts for my e36. Cheaper and way more fun than buying them. All done on an upgraded mini lathe.

[@ajhartmanaero]

What upgrades have you done?

[@bradhulton1113]

@@ajhartmanaero engine and trans mounts, and have subframe bushings ready to go, but wont put them in until a get a new, cleaner subframe. Canadian winters had not been kind to this car before I got it. Subframe is crusty! I make everything out of delrin. Easier to turn on that little lathe. Aluminum turns a little better on there with HSS tooling over carbide. As for your order of operations, its whatever makes it the easiest with the least amount if times taking the part out of the chuck.

[@ajhartmanaero]

Brad Hulton I meant what upgrades to your mini lathe?

[@bradhulton1113]

@@ajhartmanaero Bahaha. Sorry. Biggest additions over the factory set up have been the quick Change tool post and a larger, 5" diameter 3 jaw chuck. I can turn up to about 5.75 diameter material now. I also replaced spindle bearings with tapers and that helped get rid of some of the play in the chuck. Lastly, I remade the Gibbs. Really helps with chatter. The ones from the factory were terrible on mine. Not all are bad. Mine just looked like they were cut out with a chainsaw.

[@ajhartmanaero]

Brad Hulton oh nice. I get chatter pretty bad sometimes. It’s been able to handle anything I e done so far but just gotta go slow and take lighter cuts. Only upgrade I did was a shield to keep chips off where the carriage slides (forget the name). I have the mini mill too but only used it a few times so far.

[@Elver_Galarga_jugo]

Love your vids man.

[@idriwzrd]

Good on you for doing new things that you're not familiar with.

[@SalMolinare]

Aluminum likes WD 40 for sawing, drilling and turning. ;-)

[@ajhartmanaero]

I’ll try it out. I got Tap Magic when I got the lathe and mill.

[@SalMolinare]

AJ Hartman Aero that works too, just keep the aluminum wet. And the tooling cool.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Hi, Do you remember the dimensions you made you bushings to?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Sorry but I don’t. Easy enough to mic the holes when they are out.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

@@ajhartmanaero no worries. Just thought I could make the bushes before I strip it. Thanks for getting back to me.

[@matk22]

What kind of metal would you suggest for using on control arms and suspension bushes

[@jonathanburrows9542]

How does the width of the IRS compare to the 94-98 SRA?

[@carsonlomax7053]

Did you determine there's no way the stock fuel tank will work due to interference with the IRS subframe?

[@ajhartmanaero]

Carson Lomax yes :(

[@TheFarCobra]

Rubbers will protect you from catching the NVH.