BMW E46 3 Series Removing Rear Suspension Subframe Reinforcement Part. 1

#BMW #E46 #HansGarage
Tools I used for this project:
Impact Gun: amzn.to/2PBCdEy
10-150lb Torque wrench: amzn.to/2UKUu6b
3/8 Inch Socket set: amzn.to/2ElfB91
3/8 Inch Ratchet: amzn.to/2SMX2hZ
1/2 Inch Socket set: amzn.to/2QOFLI4
1/2 Inch Ratchet: amzn.to/2EgUULE
Wrench set: amzn.to/2PyCAiV

[@SKWDMDYT]

Watched many DIY video on many different repairs. Yours by far is the best. You mastered the technique to clearly demonstrate to a novice how to remove parts. Have to give you 5+ stars for no music soundtrack. Rather hear nothing than repetitive annoying "music". Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@skunk26355]

Cant agree more about the stupid musical tracks in diy videos.

[@BryanChance]

How well someone can explain something to a lay person shows how much they know the subject. :-p

[@Jeffleezy]

Wow, thank you so much for showing the entire process with no edits, this is beyond invaluable. Super organized format, very clear instructions, helpful texts, and great camera angles to see everything clearly. I learn so much more from your way of DIY videos. Thank you Han, please keep it up!!

[@aaronware8459]

This is the perfect way when you are doing it by yourself… appreciate you. Saved me a billion dollars in labor.

[@jcue]

I just got done doing this job on my E46. I followed this tutorial from start to finish step by step and it was perfect. There was no surprises while carrying out the work and he left nothing out. Well done Han!

[@HansGarage]

Awesome!!!

[@MarkOfA]

How long did it take you? I’m planning to do this job tomorrow and I work on Monday

[@HansGarage]

If you are skilled enough you should be able to finish before Monday.

[@HansGarage]

First time it took me 3 days with plenty of breaks in between because I was filming. I did it for a friend the second time and took me 3 hours

[@MarkOfA]

Holy crap, that’s fast! I also plan to rent a car in case it takes me longer than the expected 3-4 days.

[@brewsterred5861]

Thank you for this video series Han. It’s a giant help. I really appreciate your taking the time to record and share the process for us.

[@robertoyanezschmidt9309]

This is far the best video about this matter. I truly appreciate you time and details. People like you are gold in KZbin.

[@superco0l88]

Fascinating to watch you bring life to that subframe. Good work!

[@LuckyCatParts]

I watched this video twice and got all of the information i needed to pull my rear subframe. Great video, 10/10!

[@Frank-vk8ky]

Thanks for the diy guide! It was actually an easy, but time consuming job. The difference with powerflex bushings did the 3 days of work worth it :)

[@dirtypavement1234]

Thank you so much, my sub frame recently cracked and I was swapping it out soon. couldn't find any videos but yours, it'll help so much.

[@Brad-jg9vh]

These videos are well shot and straight to the point. By far my go to e46 repair videos. Thank you!

[@HansGarage]

Thank you!!

[@brainkill7034]

Great camera angles, I appreciate the helpful video! Will be tackling this project the next couple days

[@zackenoer]

doing my e46 drift build. and subframe was torn out didn't know until a shop looked at it. I'd give ur video A++

[@Sandiego1976md]

Your the man Han!! I'm look forward to doing this myself to my 2001 bmw 330ci which its manual. I love my car and want to take good care of it. Little by little you know goes a long ways. E46's are the best in my opinion

[@spindleweed]

Really clear presentation, makes me feel brave enough to try it myself. Amazed you don't have more likes and subs!

[@HansGarage]

You only live once haha try it!

[@cthomas2812]

Han's Garage hey Han, what can of spray paint did you use to apply to the subframe? i just took my frame out and going to clean it up as well.

[@dmalott0908]

I agree! Very clear and detailed. I subscribed just because of that alone. :) Looking forward to watching more.

[@AntoNio-nw7kx]

Great video! nice camera view and no too much words to explain what video already do !

[@harrisjohnny477]

Best video ever I have seen on KZbin. Send this network started this Chan O keep up the good work love your attention to detail.

[@PepeDaily]

Alot of work and time needed 😥 But I will do this when I have tools and time. Thank you!

[@tyler951]

I just completed a front suspension refresh (control arms + bushings, sway bar bushings, end links, left side tierod end due to boot tear) on my 06 330ci with ZHP package and plan on taking care of all the rear later this year. This video will be part of my plan blueprint for sure. I have a weeping diff so might end up swapping to a more aggressive diff and gear set.

[@touringusa8760]

You are a very patient dude. You have an excellent video. Thank you for posting it. : -)

[@feliperh]

Hey, very helpful video, nice and clear instructions, it helped me a lot to know the steps to follow when i did mine. Many many thanks Han, people like you are generous sharing the videos. :)

[@Plakkunst]

Thanks for excellent video! Very good explained and detail shots. Thank you!

[@mr.9frank951]

Thanks a bunch for your assistance. Great video!

[@BryanChance]

Very good video! I like how you fast-forward the video, so I can still see what you're doing. Stating the socket sizes is SUPER helpful! I feel like I might be able to do it myself. I watched a few other similar videos and your video is the only one where I don't yell at the screen "What? Where is that located? How did you get that freaking bolt out?!! WTF!!" :-p

[@lefora87]

nice clean job...straight to the point. inpired me to do this job👍😊

[@laohantun7404]

Thanks bud, you really know how to treasure the gem, learnt a lot from you, never seen underneath of BMW 3 series before. Cars are too costly to own in Singapore. Good job, but please more protective gear, such as safety boot, gloves, safety glass. Cheers.

[@HansGarage]

Thank you my friend!

[@IzziedeD]

Great video (series), Han. I've done this on my E36 before, going to be doing a lot of suspension/driveline work on my Z4 soon (almost same as E46). One thing that found worked very well on my E36: dropping the entire rear suspension. Disconnect the ebrake, also disconnect the brake lines at the trailing arms, unbolt the shock and remove driveshaft and 6- trailing arm bolts. then you can put a scissor jack (or transmission jack) under the whole rear subframe. 4 more bolts, down she goes. from here you can disassemble out of the car and service all rear-end bushings. It will require alignment after you put it back up, but the old in-out, in-out is a lot easier. Hope that idea helps someone out in youtube land.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Obviously an in-depth job like this is for an experienced mechanic... seems like the hardest part would be not having a lift!

[@Sroor2023]

You are the man 💪💪💪 you'💜ve done the job right and easiest way than removal of whole muffler so now i can start with this job but first i have to check availability of bushings so i can change all togather this i think will be the toughest job in the whole car 😁 then oil pan gasket But hope we are in winter so i can work under car for hours 😁 but now a days maximum i can work 5 hrs May be itll take 2 or 3 days if every thing is ok and ive found bushings and everythig

[@Sroor2023]

And ive subscribed cause you are the best on e46 after 50 kid👍

[@franciscobalderaa]

Great video... This next project

[@poeltie]

Great video, thank you.

[@ieatpuny]

Good job but the only thing you have to take off is exhaust shocks springs and brake claipers and driveshaft and just drop it all at once then take what you need off after

[@tolgac9975]

Thank you, I’m currently doing the rear subframe reinforcement taking off everything and I must have watched video 50+ times either to double check something or just to watch. You make this look easy. My E46 isnt like yours it’s got rust on bolts, driveshaft is seized and my car isn’t at the highest it should be but going to get it raised more.

[@icestetic1921]

how did you get the driveshaft unseized currently facing the same problem my driveshaft and driversside axle are seized to the differential

[@HansGarage]

Lots of patience and a pry bar or flat head

[@Srgt.d1ckazz]

@@icestetic1921same issue

[@alfredomendoza6246]

Thank you! not looking forward to this..even though I know I can do this just time consuming,but I am going to end up changing out every single bushing, but it will be all worth it once it is finished great job hahn

[@scott_dc947]

Late to the party, but great video man. 🙌🏻

[@gamerdiydad]

Thank you mate.

[@gerryreggea]

Great DIY...thanks

[@juanmanueljuanmanuel5934]

This canal are awesome only bmw pleas and more modifications

[@fmorelli]

Very nicely edited video. I highly recommend removing no more factory finish than needed. It has been applied and survived thus far. Also it is important to note what finish you used. Etching primer should be used on the bare metal. Good quality paint made for this job should be used on topcoat. Look at POR or Eastwood for these items.

[@chadriddle3517]

Great details

[@victorkaminski1747]

good job !

[@chris-oy9jn]

do you have a video on changing the clutch for the e46 and also where did you get all of the bushings from? cool videos

[@ProducerGio]

The best!

[@samisvideo]

I would have used some rust preventer on those spots too :) Thx for the helpful video.

[@_kudos8093]

Great video! This makes me feel more confident in doing the job myself. One question, did you have to drain the diff before removing it?

[@FlightDeckGA]

Thank you, Han. What was that black spray you used?

[@Troymatti]

Man I just got all the parts needed for the subframe + driveshaft cv jont , center support bearing and guibo ! but just don't feel doing it anymore I used to have a big passion working on cars , but I feel Im losing that !

[@HansGarage]

Fadi Matti dont give up man! do a little by little and you will get there!

[@quartznation9499]

This vid helped with access to fuel feed line that i need to snake through the gas tank but do you have a vid specifically to replace that blue feed line that runs from the pump?or anything close to that diy?

[@Aranrfc1]

great video han, was that just black spray paint you put on after clesning ghe rust, or a rubberized underseal?

[@267aj]

Did you find out why the cables were so stuck? i have the same subframe job coming up in a few days so just looking for a heads up. Thanks for the help

[@stektirade]

did you not weld reinforcement plates on the subframe mount areas?

[@zeidakiss]

Hi Han, thanks for the DIY and giving me the peace of mind in doing the project myself. would you have done anything differently to make the disassembly go smoother... ie sequencing of items removed, any special tools that would have come in handy etc. thanks, z

[@HansGarage]

Zeid h Hi, thanks. Yes, it would have been way easier with the full exhaust off. But my bolts were very rusted and I could not take the bolts off... Looking back at it, I would actually buy new exhaust bolts and have any local shop replace them and then come back home to work on it. This way, you can take off your exhaust whenever you can to work underneath your car.

[@angelbarrera1746]

Wow, exelent...

[@Peter-it2gt]

I did my e46 today the whole rear end + subframe. The difference is extreme! less car roll, a littlebit less comfort, stiffer and extreem better cornering and handeling. I've bought yellow Strongflex (yello = stif / hard) ps: buy rear outer upper original! It needs 3d movement, it doesn't come with aftermarket powerflex or strongflex

[@HansGarage]

Peter G thanks!

[@HansGarage]

+Peter G so glad to hear this! Happy for you!

[@MadMaxl88]

What exactly do you mean with rear outer upper??

[@Peter-it2gt]

Maximilian Öllerer Rear, outer, upper = rear axle, outer bush (near wheel) upper... there are 2 bushes near the wheel site... upper and lower The one @ 15.34

[@kestutisky2024]

good video

[@catalinani216]

how did you got the e brake cables out ,did you use anything or you just pulled them out by hand ?

[@michaelcarr4748]

Are those Turner Motorsports adjustable control arms?

[@truthseeker8483]

Nice work but where was the reinforcement? Aren't you supposed to weld plates on?

[@z4funkdreamer986]

Hi What kind of spray paint did you use to cover subframe ?

[@RattygamingTV]

I had a heart attack at 12:55 was listening in my car loud as shit when the half shaft fell lol

[@trort2714]

Nice video. I need to do so I can add the subframe reinforcements. I’m curious as to why you did not do this when you had everything removed.

[@HansGarage]

Tro Rt mine had no cracks which is why I didn't and just got rid of all the rust and paint right over

[@Ultimatebeatdastreet]

Hello. Just a question. How much time did the entire work took? Thank you very much. What a nice video!

[@jasondoe5741]

Wow, how long did this take? Great video.

[@hernanesparza4759]

Can I ask you what the part numbers are for those bushings

[@driftalliance1556]

what if i just release the handbrake cables in the inside of the cabin and put them away from the clips.. any chance they will come down if i remove the subframe? or will they break cause i didnt take them off the subframe?

[@kay19833]

How powerful is your impact wrench ? 230nM, 300nM more? I saw it take out the lugnuts like its nothing, and it's not even electric or air-powered. Secondly, if you pause at exactly 3:03, you'll see a very thin line curved beside some other 2 thicker lines screwed to what looks like the fuel tank, what is it? fuel line? it's totally rusted in my car, I wonder what it is.

[@als5995]

Could grinding rust off mess with structural integrity?

[@TheProjectDprojectd]

Show perfect vídeo

[@MrDanek201]

how much time did it take to dismantle the whole ??

[@mtbarrtrail6877]

Cool...

[@eduki]

would be the same procedure with an E46 M3 for uninstalling?

[@dannygonzalez6548]

Approximately how much time would you say this process takes

[@FlightDeckGA]

Did he actually remove the exhaust or just let the back side loose after removing the e-brake cables?

[@tonyalfaro4673]

Greetings from Cali Han, quick question. when you say all models Convertible too? thanks

[@HansGarage]

Tony Alfaro yes

[@karman2227]

How long would this job take a professional mechanic to do? Thanks.

[@rj6110]

my diff is absolutely seized onto my driveshaft, i wish mine just fell out like yours lol edit: finally found the right sized pry bar and got em separated. now onto the e brake cables lol

[@Finthebox]

What kind of axles are those?

[@Physiqz]

Could you please explain the benefit of going through this process, and the difference between this and the control arm bushings? Trying to figure out what all needs to be done to restore the suspension and handling.

[@HansGarage]

+Jon Chambers performance wise, poly urethane bushings are far superior than rubber bushings. Your car would feel more sporty with TIGHT handling all throughout. Cutting corners, much more responsive when you accelerate and downshift. Rear control arm bushings I have yet to replace since you won't feel much of a difference but for the subframe it is a major upgrade for the e46 models because of how they are designed.

[@DrAcid12]

+Han's Garage thanks for explaining that

[@lavazza8031]

DEGRIP OIL sinon beau travail bravo

[@abcges]

How long did you heat them before starting to pound them approximately? Got the diff otu yesterday, control arms to go and then gonna get the frame out.

[@HansGarage]

With the torch I heated up around 3min before hammering. You gotta heat up the frame not the bushing so the frame melts the bushing

[@Editingbytoxic]

my subframe is toast this looks really good compared to mine lol it's falling apart i don't even know if i can save it

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Is body rust at the rear subframe contact surfaces common on this model? I have a similar 2002 Volvo with front & rear subframes, but I've never heard of this issue on European cars of this era.

[@HansGarage]

+Really Happenings I wouldn't know anything about Volvos but yes, this is very common for all e46 3 series

[@abcges]

Is there like a fast way to check the differential for serious play etc?

[@HansGarage]

Yea if you hear any clunking noise from the trunk while you are reversing or first gear, then that's definite sign of differential bushing worn out

[@TreatsOnTheStreets]

what is the secret with pulling those brake cables through?? Just yanking the hell out of them?

[@HansGarage]

Treats On The Streets use any sort of rust remover or lube and just pull!

[@l0lwut123]

any reason for the incremental disassembly over dropping the subframe as a whole unit? Ive gotta do the reinforcement plates and structural foam here seen, and from everything else i've seen, its just simpler to drop the whole assembly at once.

[@HansGarage]

l0lwut123 i just wanted to show how all is done. You can drop as a whole once you take off your exhaust first then remove ebrake lines from the subframe and you can drop as a whole :)

[@Rusiputki]

The problem once you drop it as a whole is you will start to want get shit done, bit of rust removal, bit of paint, some welding maybe, some DIY ghetto welded solid mounts. In other words you still need to remove a lot of the stuff so might as well do it step by step. Plus weight. It's like removing fuel tank after you drain it....piss easy no need for hydraulic equipment.

[@tonyalfaro4673]

Great Clean and Detailed. Quick Question, can I apply the same steps to a convertible M3 04?

[@HansGarage]

+Tony Alfaro oops m3 has different subframe than the regular 3 series

[@tonyalfaro4673]

Han's Garage i see... have to investigate that then. hopefully you reinforce your M3 lol

[@tonyalfaro4673]

Han's Garage i see... have to investigate that then. hopefully you reinforce your M3 lol

[@HansGarage]

Tony Alfaro hahaha i mean they are very similar but m3 def has stronger structure

[@HansGarage]

Tony Alfaro i do plan on getting the e46 m3 if i find the right one for the right price

[@MSchumacherfan]

So how do you like the poly bushings? Was it worth it?

[@HansGarage]

George Coleman i do but i would recommend akg bushings

[@albertveloz4847]

Think you can help me out

[@marvelousyang3639]

Hey, so I’m very happy you made this video, very well detailed but my driveshaft is litterally stuck in the diff, i have no idea what I should do, I’ve tried so many things and still won’t get it to move off. I’ve just pri tools and everything. Anything you could recommend to get it loose? Ik it shouldn’t be that stuck but my car have alot of miles on it.

[@HansGarage]

Use PB blaster and a prybar. They do wonders in stuck situations and rubber hammer

[@marvelousyang3639]

HAN'S GARAGE thank you, I will give it a good shot cause this thing is extremely stubborn haha

[@marvelousyang3639]

Tried this kinda method but just gotta prime it up and let it sit over night to have it work the rust and stuff better, thanks again!

[@HansGarage]

Marvelous Yang I hear you, there is a groove you can pivot with a pry bar and push it out. Are you talking about the part that meets the differential??

[@marvelousyang3639]

HAN'S GARAGE yes I saw that pivot on both sides, tried to pry there with a prybar but still no success, will try again today. And exactly the part where it meets the differential, it’s just a boot there with some grease inside that should come out quite easly as in your video

[@Topher7527]

About how long does the whole process take? My 2001 M3 is at 160k miles without cracks and I'd like to keep it that way by installing the reinforcement plates. Figure I'll throw in new bushings and a 3.90 diff gear while I'm at it. I don't have a lift and I'm not a huge fan of working under the car with two feet of space for long hours.

[@HansGarage]

Topher7527 i hear you on working under the car with very little space haha but it is what it is! This whole process took about 3 days with lots of breaks in between but if you really want to get it done as soon as possible then id say good 6hrs of labor

[@Topher7527]

Alright. That may not be too bad. I'll just have to find some downtime in the summer. Guess it'll give me the chance to daily my 67 Cougar for a few days. Thanks a bunch!

[@HansGarage]

Topher7527 no problem!

[@FallenSports]

What subrame bushings did you use

[@HansGarage]

I used poweflex but didn't like the quality

[@HansGarage]

I would go with AKG bushings thats what I had for my dif bushing and love em

[@PandleHandle]

12:53 Made me jump ;D

[@HansGarage]

Imagine myself underneath lol

[@abcges]

How the hell did you manage to remove the hand brake cables? I'm doing everything in the order you're doing and right now stuck at taking cables out.

[@abcges]

Ahh so just pulled them i see, going to try using excessive force later on.

[@abcges]

With subframe you did the same, just pulled like crazy?

[@HansGarage]

+oke139 you took off all the springs first right? Then all the control arms? Once you have them off and the subframe bolts off then the subframe should come off easily

[@abcges]

I meant pull like crazy the handbrake cables. I'm currently stuck at those, bushings should arrive tommorow so trying to do as much as i can then so i could get everything together by friday.

[@HansGarage]

+oke139 the handbrake cables I had a hard time taking out too. I pulled them hard but not too hard so that I won't damage the cable. And I had to grind the metal tip so it goes through the subframe holes. Call me if you need to

[@jasonretamar2849]

How the hell you pulled those e brake cable..hard af

[@HansGarage]

Lots of patience and hard hard pulls my friend.

[@jasonretamar2849]

I'll try again..

[@abcges]

Hahahaha 12:55 damn :D

[@HansGarage]

Yeap lol you gotta be very careful! Haha that drive shaft could have came right down on my head! But luckily I knew it was blocked by the exhaust pipes

[@abcges]

I really appreciate you doing the video. I'm going to do the bushings myself this week but not going to reinforce if my underbelly is good since mines only a 100kw 320D and not a track car. I read on the internet that some guys took the trailing arm that runs parallel with car off(3bolts), idk why though.

[@HansGarage]

thats another way once you can get your exhaust pipe completely off. I wasn't able to take my exhaust off because the bolts were too rusted. So I had to do what I had to do haha

[@abcges]

So you don't need to take the trailing arms off? To be honest i wouldn't want to take them out for no reason because i already changed the RTAB bushings there.

[@HansGarage]

+oke139 Nope. You don't have to

[@skytasha]

I’m not liking the amount of stress you put on the exhaust manifold, just take the exhaust off it’s 4 more bolts, watching you fight that heat shield was painful. If you unbolt it from the from the headers and then remove the hangars from the back then put a jack under the backbox. Then unbolt it from the centre of the exhaust leaving the bracket on the exhaust and you can lower it down by hand from the front. If you are like me and have 2 RV jacks they work great to support the whole exhaust and makes removing and installing easy as pie.

[@HansGarage]

Yea, easier said than done. Not when your bolts are all rusted and I actually had to take it to a shop and they struggled it for 2 hours taking them off with their shop torch...

[@awesomeshark43]

Is this why people don’t like e46 it seems like it may take a while but not that hard to fix.

[@HansGarage]

People love e46 what you talkinbout

[@awesomeshark43]

HAN'S GARAGE I was looking and they always say they are unreliable and you shouldn’t buy

[@HansGarage]

I've owned 3 of the e46 models 328i 330i and 330xi. All of them have been extremely reliable for me since I knew how to fix evergthing and took great care of them.

[@awesomeshark43]

HAN'S GARAGE so the people who don’t like them are the ones that take em to a shop. I see now thanks

[@HansGarage]

@@awesomeshark43 ha, no. I never said such words. I said 3 of the e46 models that I've owned have been very reliable.

[@hanmonic]

dude. we have the same fucking name

[@jackryan9045]

Why not reinforce while you are in there, also, spray paint alone is not a good rust preventer.

[@HansGarage]

If it was e46 m3 I would but 330i so no cracks still