Replacing the rear suspension cross member (BMW 3 Series E21)

Removal

Remove the anti-roll bar.

Disconnect the suspension arms from the rear suspension crossmember.

Disconnect the rear axle from the rear suspension crossmember.

Unscrew the bolts securing the rear suspension crossmember to the body and the nuts securing the silent blocks.



Remove the rear suspension crossmember.

Check the condition of the silent blocks, which are subject to replacement in case of breaks and one-sided "survival" of the rubber, when cutting their end surfaces. Install the same silent blocks on both sides of the rear suspension cross member: rigid silent blocks are marked with white paint, elastic ones are not marked; the silent blocks installed on the left side of the cross member are marked with grey paint, and those on the right side are marked with black paint.

Check the dimensions of the rear suspension cross member according to the dimensions shown in the figure.

Installation

The installation of the rear suspension cross member is performed in the reverse order of removal, observing the tightening torques of the threaded connections.

[Information obtained from this online resource BMWman]