BMR cradle bushings - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wbillylee03 · 03-21-2019, 04:21 PM

I’m trying to instal the BMR cradle bushings. How hard should it be to insert the rear bushings in the cradle? I’ve had the weight of the car on them and no luck seating them. The hole for the metal sleeve is smaller than the front bushings which gets even smaller after trying to get them in the cradle. Any help from someone that’s done the install would be appreciated.
Thanks

KillboyPowerhead · 03-21-2019, 04:30 PM

I may be able to help if you can show pics. I installed the solid cradle bushings on my car but I believe the install is a bit different in that the metal cap/washer things are not reused.

Edit: I reread your post; if you just can't fit the whole bushings into the frame, try putting the bushings in the freezer for a bit so they shrink.

wbillylee03 · 03-21-2019, 05:44 PM

I tried freezing them and heating the cradle.

zlathim · 03-21-2019, 05:56 PM

I struggled with those things for several hours. I eventually realized I'd need to drop the cradle completely onto the floor. After that, I tried pounding them in (I had called BMR and they said to pound them in), but I couldn't get them to start in the cradle boss until I rigged up a primitive press with some allthread and a couple of steel plates. I used the makeshift press to get them started about an inch or so, then I pounded them n the rest of the way with a BFH. I used a lot of red grease on them too. A nice thick coat of that helped them squeeze into place. The smaller lower sides just popped right in with no trouble.

If you are doing the diff bushings too, be prepared for a fight if you do it as per the BMR instructions. Those bushings are very difficult to remove, but it is easier to install the new bushings.

wbillylee03 · 03-21-2019, 06:10 PM

Not what I wanted to hear. lol. I don’t see how I can get the sleeves in after installing the bushing. I had to beat the rears in with the bushing out. It seems like the holes in the bushings would be the same if the sleeve is the same.

zlathim · 03-21-2019, 06:41 PM

I was concerned about getting the steel sleeves installed too, but I greased them up and they went right in.

wbillylee03 · 03-21-2019, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the help. I guess I’m taking the cradle out.

hesster · 03-22-2019, 06:09 AM

Make a simple tool to press them in. Thoroughly clean the inside of the pocket out, sand lightly if necessary.

zlathim · 03-22-2019, 09:08 AM

That looks similar to the cobbled together mess I used to press mine in with. Once they are started squarely, it isn't too bad getting them the rest of the way seated.

hesster · 03-22-2019, 10:44 AM

And another tip I forgot - Press the bushings in first, then the pin if they won't go in as an assembly. You can grease up the pin, and even file a little chamfer on one end to get it started without deforming the opening of the bushing.

wbillylee03 · 03-22-2019, 10:49 AM

I’ll try that, I really don’t wanna take the cradle all the way out.

Chris49066SS · 03-22-2019, 11:07 AM

Dang, I am glad I went with solids..went right in

1JEWLDSSRS · 03-22-2019, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris49066SS

Dang, I am glad I went with solids..went right in

lolo, yep, same here ^^^

wbillylee03 · 03-25-2019, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I made a press and got them installed.

03-21-2019, 04:21 PM	#1
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	BMR cradle bushings I’m trying to instal the BMR cradle bushings. How hard should it be to insert the rear bushings in the cradle? I’ve had the weight of the car on them and no luck seating them. The hole for the metal sleeve is smaller than the front bushings which gets even smaller after trying to get them in the cradle. Any help from someone that’s done the install would be appreciated. Thanks

03-21-2019, 04:30 PM	#2
KillboyPowerhead Drives: 2015 Z/22 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 931	I may be able to help if you can show pics. I installed the solid cradle bushings on my car but I believe the install is a bit different in that the metal cap/washer things are not reused. Edit: I reread your post; if you just can't fit the whole bushings into the frame, try putting the bushings in the freezer for a bit so they shrink. __________________ Overkill/Self Tuned; Mace Camshafts; K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake; Ported 80mm Throttle Body/Intake Manifolds/Manifold Spacer; Solo Performance High-Flow Cats, Cat-back Exhaust; Vitesse Motorsports Throttle Controller; Elite Engineering E2 Catch Can; BC Racing BR Coilovers; JPSS Delrin Radius Rod Bushing Inserts, Sway Bars; Pegasus Aluminum Rear Cradle Bushings, Camber/Caster Plates; Z/28 Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Upper Control Arm Bushings, Rear Shock Mounts

03-21-2019, 05:56 PM	#4
zlathim Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 726	I struggled with those things for several hours. I eventually realized I'd need to drop the cradle completely onto the floor. After that, I tried pounding them in (I had called BMR and they said to pound them in), but I couldn't get them to start in the cradle boss until I rigged up a primitive press with some allthread and a couple of steel plates. I used the makeshift press to get them started about an inch or so, then I pounded them n the rest of the way with a BFH. I used a lot of red grease on them too. A nice thick coat of that helped them squeeze into place. The smaller lower sides just popped right in with no trouble. If you are doing the diff bushings too, be prepared for a fight if you do it as per the BMR instructions. Those bushings are very difficult to remove, but it is easier to install the new bushings. __________________ GPI SS2; EE E2 catch can; SP 1 7/8" LT Headers w/ hfc; FM AT 3" cat-back; CAI Cold Air Intake; AEM Wideband Tuned by GPI McCleod RXT; MGW flat stick; Ram Clutch slave cylinder & hydraulic adjuster BMR cradle & diff bushings, trailing arms, toe rods & upper control arm bushings Hotchkis sub-frame brace Stop Tech Z-23 brakes 4.10 gears, Eaton Truetrac, LPW diff cover Best 1/4 mile 12.073 @ 115.68 mph 3,300 ft DA

03-21-2019, 06:41 PM	#6
zlathim Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 726	I was concerned about getting the steel sleeves installed too, but I greased them up and they went right in. __________________ GPI SS2; EE E2 catch can; SP 1 7/8" LT Headers w/ hfc; FM AT 3" cat-back; CAI Cold Air Intake; AEM Wideband Tuned by GPI McCleod RXT; MGW flat stick; Ram Clutch slave cylinder & hydraulic adjuster BMR cradle & diff bushings, trailing arms, toe rods & upper control arm bushings Hotchkis sub-frame brace Stop Tech Z-23 brakes 4.10 gears, Eaton Truetrac, LPW diff cover Best 1/4 mile 12.073 @ 115.68 mph 3,300 ft DA

03-22-2019, 06:09 AM	#8
hesster Drives: '10 C5 SS, '77 Bandit T/A Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 638 View My Garage	Make a simple tool to press them in. Thoroughly clean the inside of the pocket out, sand lightly if necessary. Attached Images

03-21-2019, 05:44 PM	#3
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	I tried freezing them and heating the cradle.

03-21-2019, 06:10 PM	#5
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	Not what I wanted to hear. lol. I don’t see how I can get the sleeves in after installing the bushing. I had to beat the rears in with the bushing out. It seems like the holes in the bushings would be the same if the sleeve is the same.

03-21-2019, 08:30 PM	#7
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	Thanks for the help. I guess I’m taking the cradle out.

03-22-2019, 09:08 AM	#9
zlathim Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 726	That looks similar to the cobbled together mess I used to press mine in with. Once they are started squarely, it isn't too bad getting them the rest of the way seated. __________________ GPI SS2; EE E2 catch can; SP 1 7/8" LT Headers w/ hfc; FM AT 3" cat-back; CAI Cold Air Intake; AEM Wideband Tuned by GPI McCleod RXT; MGW flat stick; Ram Clutch slave cylinder & hydraulic adjuster BMR cradle & diff bushings, trailing arms, toe rods & upper control arm bushings Hotchkis sub-frame brace Stop Tech Z-23 brakes 4.10 gears, Eaton Truetrac, LPW diff cover Best 1/4 mile 12.073 @ 115.68 mph 3,300 ft DA

03-22-2019, 10:44 AM	#10
hesster Drives: '10 C5 SS, '77 Bandit T/A Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 638 View My Garage	And another tip I forgot - Press the bushings in first, then the pin if they won't go in as an assembly. You can grease up the pin, and even file a little chamfer on one end to get it started without deforming the opening of the bushing. Attached Images

03-22-2019, 10:49 AM	#11
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	I’ll try that, I really don’t wanna take the cradle all the way out.

03-22-2019, 11:07 AM	#12
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	Dang, I am glad I went with solids..went right in __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

03-25-2019, 08:40 PM	#14
wbillylee03 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS RS , 2000 Sierra Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Morning View, KY Posts: 8	Thanks for the help guys. I made a press and got them installed.