RTAB Tool - United Bimmer Community

**Dudesky** · 06-18-2005, 06:59 PM

So I'm bored out of my mind today at work. Since I bought new rear trailing arm bushings and will be installing them next week, I decided to make my own RTAB tool:

To remove the bushing, the tool is assembled this way (bushing shown in place):

Then to install the new bushing, I just flip over the u-shaped piece and change the end cap:

Those of you who've done this know how expensive the tool is, and how much of a pain it is to do the job without it. Now for the price of some scraps and an hour of machining time, I have one

If all goes well and this thing performs the way it should next week, I'll be glad to loan it out to UB members for the price of shipping back and forth.

**///Menace328i** · 06-18-2005, 07:30 PM

wow... very nice bro... Can I pick up?

jk... Can you say "Patent Pending".. ChaChin!

**Dudesky** · 06-18-2005, 07:35 PM

Yea, you're like 20min away, he he! To rent the tool is like $60 I think. Maybe I'll make a few and sell them for 50

**///Menace328i** · 06-18-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

Yea, you're like 20min away, he he! To rent the tool is like $60 I think. Maybe I'll make a few and sell them for 50

Yea you tell them bro! All you atta towners... PAY UP! *whispering to D* yo so I get a discount right?

**Dudesky** · 06-18-2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3twenty8i

Yea you tell them bro! All you atta towners... PAY UP! *whispering to D* yo so I get a discount right?

No, that's not what I was saying . . just making a joke about selling them on eBay or something. Once I know for sure it works without a hitch, UB members are welcome to borrow it for the cost of shippng

**komodo** · 06-19-2005, 01:03 AM

Nice nice. Let us know how it works. You might be on to something here.

**Dudesky** · 06-19-2005, 05:02 AM

Definitely will, and I'll be photographing it all for a DIY. I'm also changing out struts soon, and that DIY will be forthcoming as well.

**94bmw325i** · 06-19-2005, 12:30 PM

That's great, wish I could do machining like that!

**Dudesky** · 06-24-2005, 10:47 PM

Well, I did the RTAB's today, what a mess. What should have taken only and hour or two at the most turned out to be 6hrs of hell in the sun. The tool I machined did not work for removing the bushing, but worked like a charm for installing the new ones, thank god. They go in a lot easier than they go out. Ended up having to wait 2hrs for tools to drill and sawzall the old ones. I did take photos though, and I'll try and do a write up tomorrow.

**catalyst** · 06-27-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

Well, I did the RTAB's today, what a mess. What should have taken only and hour or two at the most turned out to be 6hrs of hell in the sun. The tool I machined did not work for removing the bushing, but worked like a charm for installing the new ones, thank god. They go in a lot easier than they go out. Ended up having to wait 2hrs for tools to drill and sawzall the old ones. I did take photos though, and I'll try and do a write up tomorrow.

Everything takes 10 times as long when you dont have the right tools.. i feel your pain man.

Im looking forward to seeing the write up... i am going to be doing this soon too.

**Dudesky** · 06-28-2005, 02:37 PM

The writeup has been up for a few days now, over in the Tutorials, DIYs, and FAQs section

**komodo** · 06-28-2005, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

The writeup has been up for a few days now, over in the Tutorials, DIYs, and FAQs section

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/thread2093.html

**defkon99** · 06-01-2006, 03:01 PM

Hey so im looking to do the change of my RTAB, and i ned a tool On the quick style like off ebqay or somewhere but not to $$ ..

Anyone got an idea where to get one. i Just called Bav Auto and piked up 2 for $17 ea and he priced me on a Toll it was about $430. so i come to UB.

**Dudesky** · 06-01-2006, 03:50 PM

You can buy the tool from Bimmerworld for $99, or you can rent it from them with the purchase of the bushings. KoalaMotorsport used to rent them as well, don't know if they still do. Or you can do it ghetto style and press the bushings in using two 2" NPT pipe caps, a 7/16" threaded rod, and a couple of 7/16" nuts and washers.

**defkon99** · 06-01-2006, 03:52 PM

ok ill check out bimmerworld and if not ghetto mode here i come!