Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement (RTAB) - preload question

[Riso1988]

Hey all, going to be replacing my RTABs this weekend with OEM rubber - going for comfort as I’d driving in NYC. Showing inner tire wear and some wheel hop over uneven pavement. Have 150k on the originals so figure it is time.

Been reading up a bunch and watching some YouTube videos. I’m a bit confused about how to precisely preload the trailing arm before torquing. The process I see seems to be for E36/E46 rears where you use a straight edge to align the trialing arm bracket to 8MM above the center hub - raising the hub via floor jack. The E30/Z3 trailing arm is different and does not have a flat bracket to hold the straight edge against. Is there another way to do this for us Z3 guys?

Also wondering if the exhaust actually needs to be dropped for a 1.9l.

Any other tips from anyone who’s been down this road would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

 

[bmwz3tower]

If your taking the anti-roll bar off (to help with removing trailing arms) , taking the exhaust off will help you remove the bar. You can get the rear exhaust section off in <5mins (if the nuts and bolts aren't rusted)

 

[Riso1988]

If your taking the anti-roll bar off (to help with removing trailing arms) , taking the exhaust off will help you remove the bar. You can get the rear exhaust section off in <5mins (if the nuts and bolts aren't rusted)

Thanks, will plan to drop it then. Bolts don’t look rusted.

Most worried about screwing up the preload and wearing the bushings / new tires.