Rear Beam Bushes

[aussieg60]

Any one done these before ?
Do you have to drop the whole rear beam out to replace the bushes ?
What bushes would be a good upgrade ?
Also, the front control arm bushes (rear) are also worn. Upgrade to poly or standard OEM rubbers ?

[ausgolfer]

Hey mate,

I have done the poly ones on my front arms and have some poly inserts for the rear beam which I haven't done yet, but in retrospect when I replace them I'll go for the best OEM ones I can find......

It's all a bit too harsh for me, and if they wear out a little quicker the nicer ride will be worth it.

[ausgolfer]

I do imagine though that the poly inserts for the rear beam bushes along with new standard bushes would be beneficial without dretracting from the ride quality...simply because of the type of coupling.

[brad]

i did the rear beam bush with poly inserts on my Mk3.5. it was just a case of supporting the body & undoing 2 bolts so that the beam dropped off the mounts - didn't even take the wheels off IIRC.

I've got some inserts left over - maybe they fit your car?

For Sale here

[ausgolfer]

I can't be sure but I dare say the mk3 ones are different diamter. Worth a look though.

[brad]

I can't be sure but I dare say the mk3 ones are different diamter. Worth a look though.

That's why I have some left over. The kit i bought was for Mk3 & Mk2. I used the Mk3 units (bigger diameter) and had the Mk2 units left.

Also the bumpstops - meant to buy new struts but bought a new car instead.

Anyway, happy to send dimensions or further info if anyone is interested.

[aussieg60]

Brad, did the bush come out easily or did you have to press them out ?

The part numbers are same for a MK3 for the front control arm.
357407182 and 191407181D

The rear beams are differnt numbers being 1H0501541A for MK3 and 191501541 for MK2

Carl so you think a good rubber mount would be better than poly for spirited road driving ?
Where to get good rubber inserts ?

[brad]

Brad, did the bush come out easily or did you have to press them out ?

The part numbers are same for a MK3 for the front control arm.
357407182 and 191407181D

The rear beams are differnt numbers being 1H0501541A for MK3 and 191501541 for MK2

Carl so you think a good rubber mount would be better than poly for spirited road driving ?
Where to get good rubber inserts ?

Different partnos because the Mk3 is bigger.

I didn't change the bushes - the poly bushes slip into the airgaps/cutouts in the factory rubber bush and reduce the flex a bit. It's like the gearbox mount bush that everyone does on the MkIV Golf. Leave the factory bush in & add the poly on top. Grease it up & slide it in. The whole job took me about 1.5 hours including head-scratching time.

I didn't not any change in NVH or a significant improvement in handling either. I'd class it as a nice-to-have rather than must-do.

When I did the front control arm bushes I drilled out the rubber with ~5mm drill. This allows the inner crush tube to fall out. Then you use a hacksaw blade to cut the outer tube in 2 places & drive it out with a punch. You would need a press/big vice to fit OEM bushes but the poly unit slide in by hand.

[ausgolfer]

Carl so you think a good rubber mount would be better than poly for spirited road driving ?
Where to get good rubber inserts ?

Yes if good condition, on the road.....and not the race track there is no need for poly A arm bushes, just use standard ones, get them from imparts or a similar german parts supplier....

and grab the poly mk2 inserts for the rear beam bushes off brad and put them in with new standard rear bushes.....at least that would be my choice if I needed to replace them.....which I should consider soon.

[h100vw]

I would go with TT/S3 bush in the wishbone. Leave the front bush as is, cos it won't deflect much anyway.

The axle bushes, I would stay with new rubber if you can fit them. A big piece of threaded bar with some big washers and nuts should be ok for squeezing the new bushes in.

Poly would be easy to fit as someone said higher up, probably grease it up and knock it it with a mallet.

Having done it all myself in the past. I would use rubber over poly if the car is to spend most of it's time on the road.

Gavin

[aussieg60]

Thanks wise men for your inputs