sway bar link rubber bushes/rings

[garyinwestoz]

I decided to replace the sway bar rubber bushes with new one I have. The new ones are REIN AVBO203R supposedly replacement of part no 31351125712
http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/E12/E ... 125712_8)


an they look like this compared to the original ones - decidedly thicker @ 23mm compared to 19mm


net result is when put together its too long for the 160mm long bolt.

ie washers 2mm x 4 = 8mm
rubber bush 23 x 4 = 92mm
steel spacer 60mm x 1 = 60mm
M8 nuts 6mm x 2 = 12mm
total length = 172mm



original setup - plenty of bolt length


Are these supposed to be squashed during fitting? or are they actually the wrong ones listed by the parts suppliers?


https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 351125712/
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-su ... 1351125712
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/31351125712
https://www.wallothnesch.com/en/rubber- ... 03-08.html

https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-E12/ ... -1-125-712 seems to be the correct width

[Robert Bondi]

Your original pictures have far more extra bolt length that I'd expect when installing
new. On the other hand, being over 1 cm too long exceeds what I've experienced too.

Old rubber bushings will certainly be a little compressed. I often do a little cheat on install of new rubber
using a balanced pair of clamps on those steel cups to compress just a little so one of the nuts can
be started. You might see if that helps. Without clamps, this situation is bolt end almost flush with last cup...again not an entire cm difference.

[HB528i]

That has been my experience for the last ten years on 02s, e3 and e9. I shave one or two thinner with a coping saw. Works just fine.

[garyinwestoz]

I managed to get 3 new ones on and used a good old one on the bottom - just enough compression to get the 2 lock nuts on.

[garyinwestoz]

That has been my experience for the last ten years on 02s, e3 and e9. I shave one or two thinner with a coping saw. Works just fine.

hmm - I might just try that with the last one.

or instead
try a single nylon lock nut