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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: tomstickland on 22 May 2009, 00:17

Title: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: tomstickland on 22 May 2009, 00:17: The Haynes manual is useless on this. Just says to get a VW Garage to do it.
What's so special about it?
Is it worth sticking poly bushes in there?
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: Wayne on 22 May 2009, 00:19: Yes I would run poly bushes, it is a hard job I believe to change them, I would think the biggest issue is getting the old bushes out.
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: shepgti on 22 May 2009, 00:20: yeah isnt the a special machine/tool to get them out/in as i think they are a right pain!
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: Wayne on 22 May 2009, 00:22: Quote from: shepgti on 22 May 2009, 00:20
yeah isnt the a special machine/tool to get them out/in as i think they are a right pain!

Thinking about yes I think you would need a press to get them out, unless you can cut or burn the old ones out maybe.
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 22 May 2009, 01:24: Having done this job myself only 3 weeks ago i can assure you that if you read up enough about it, prepare yourself tool wise and allow yourself enough time for hiccups (give yourself a day to potter if need be) it can be done without too much aggro.
Without the brilliant thread i found online, (i think it's on here somewhere) i probably wouldn't have bothered attempting it myself due to all the horror stories id read in regards of it.
Being an engineer i have access to a workshop so i was able to fabricate myself an exact size jig / bush pulling tool from a decent lump of steel then used m12 threaded bar through the center.
Getting the old bushes out isn't that bad once you've dropped the bolts out, you dont even need to take the axle right down. Just support it on a jack whilst the shock bolts hold it from the body.
depending on how fubared the bushes are you may be able to push the centres out or as i did, use a reciprocating saw with a fine metal blade on to carefully cut through the bush shell till it was virtually ready to break though the just knock the rest out with a cold chisel.
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 22 May 2009, 01:37: Here you go, this thread is the bolloxs! :smug:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3242686 (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3242686)
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 22 May 2009, 01:40: Il try and post a picture of what i made to fit the bushes tomorrow if i get the chance.
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 23 May 2009, 20:12: As promised, this is what i made up to pull my rear bushes into place without any aggro what so ever. I appreciate that not everyone has access to lumps of steel and a welder but a similar jig can be adapted from two readily available hub pullers and some M12 steel bar.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/23h6jpl.jpg)
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: tomstickland on 26 May 2009, 19:52: I'm not worried about getting the old bushes out.
Nothing that a blow torch, hack saw, lump hammer and cold chisel can't do.
I did the rear sub frame bushes on my BMW twice: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/859313175/in/set-72157600969309074/

I was just worried by the Haynes manual referring to special tools and getting VW to do it.
Looks like I'll be sticking poly bushes in then. I'll get some new brake hoses whilst I'm at it.
Title: Re: Replacing rear beam bushes.
Post by: boneybradley on 26 May 2009, 21:09: the biggest issue is usually the load valve (on upto 95 models only) as the bolts seize and this needs to come off to get leverage for the bolts!!