Rear beam bushes - Powerflex, eBay specials, OEM or ECP

[Ben Lessani]

Hey ho troops,

My silly car is annoying me now and I am fairly confident the rear beam bushes may be a little worn - I shall be testing this/next weekend.

On that note, I don't intend to remove the rear beam when removing/replacing the old bushes as I can't be bothered bleeding the brakes. Which means that replacement needs to be as painless as possible.

Given poly bushes appear to slip in with relative ease, I was going to grab some, but I have a choice (see below).

Any thoughts, personal experiences, recommended ones to get?

eBay "Poly Sport" £30
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOLF-GTI-MK2-CORRADO-REAR-AXLE-BEAM-POLY-SPORT-BUSHES-/120613449786?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c151f303a

Rally Design "Poly Sport" £30
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=533_741_761&products_id=5127

Powerflex £50
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Powerflex-Rear-Beam-Bush-VW-Golf-MK2-PFR85-206-cc-1c-/200512936905?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2eaf809bc9

Euro OEM style £20
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_1.8_1986/p/Car-Parts/Suspension-and-Steering/Suspension/Other-Suspension-Parts/?610440165&1&3a6c8c71a036fe341b4509b37643ff43a4ba361f&WISB

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Edit: After fitting the poly bushes
I thought I'd follow up on this. Not the fairest of judgements - as I replaced the front top mounts at the same time, but the rear is a little tighter in the bends and all round, the car is much more stable, nice and grippy again without a hint of understeer. Its very even and composed in the bends, but you can certainly feel the tyre on the road, quite literally, the tread and texture of the road.

The poly bushes were easy to fit, anyone that moans about removing rear beam bushes is a girl (fitting OEM units is probably another story).

I wouldn't recommend them as an alternative to OE bushes, if comfort or quiet driving are on your list of requirements. They don't make the ride any harder, just makes the road grain/imperfections more noticable.

[Diamond Hell]

I think you're a fool not removing the rear beam.  It's going to make the job about three times as annoying and tiresome as it would be otherwise.  Bleeding brakes isn't exactly a huge chore on a G2.

Don't underestimate the ballache the removing the old bushes will be, either.  You're going to need to cut the centres out and then cut through the rather hard outer shell.  Once you've done that, with some copper slip, plate steel and a bit of thread bar new OEM bushes should wind in with relative ease, especially if you make sure the seating surface is whistle clean.

Because the OEM bushes probably have more give in them than polybushes I would recommend them, as they should ensure break-away is more progressive and controllable. 

[clipperjay]

I agree with DH eccentric bushes fair better, plus unless you grease the poly bushes up properly you will find a new squeek after a few months.....
when we say eccentric we mean they are less likley to split all in one go and fall out. They tend to spread a better load on hard impacts and are more controlled, due to the tappered shapes. I think you can get polybushes ones that are ecccentric also!
 

[VeeDubGTI16v]

doesn't eccentric mean off centre? 

depends what you are after ben, if you want comfort go rubber, is you want performance go poly, simples. all the poly bushes are much of a muchness, personally i use the rally design ones, they come in different hardnesses as well. The bushes usually come with grease so no biggie there

[Ben Lessani]

I think you're a fool not removing the rear beam.  It's going to make the job about three times as annoying and tiresome as it would be otherwise.  Bleeding brakes isn't exactly a huge chore on a G2.

Noted.

Don't underestimate the ballache the removing the old bushes will be, either.  You're going to need to cut the centres out and then cut through the rather hard outer shell.  Once you've done that, with some copper slip, plate steel and a bit of thread bar new OEM bushes should wind in with relative ease, especially if you make sure the seating surface is whistle clean.

Yeah, I've seen this method mentioned a lot. Surely its possible to press the entire old bush (metal sleeve included) using a suitable shaped die?

Because the OEM bushes probably have more give in them than polybushes I would recommend them, as they should ensure break-away is more progressive and controllable. 

OK doke. Comfort is pretty much non-existent with my nearly 3 yr old eBay special coilovers, so that doesn't bother me. But squeaking and a twitchy rear end does bother me - OEM it is I guess

[VeeDubGTI16v]

no need to remove the beam from the struts, but from what i remember you need to undo the union next to the bias valve anyway. Good time for a fluid change?

a big drill bit is the best way to get the rubber out then hacksaw the metal sleeve off

[Diamond Hell]

Yeah, I've seen this method mentioned a lot. Surely its possible to press the entire old bush (metal sleeve included) using a suitable shaped die?

HAHAHA!  I take it you've not changed many large, old bushes then? 

It's been there 20 years - it's got a lot of habit to be persuaded out of!  The whole outer shell is an interference fit.

I agree with DH eccentric bushes fair better, plus unless you grease the poly bushes up properly you will find a new squeek after a few months

Ummm I was suggesting OEM bushes.   

Eccentric bushes could be used to square up a beam.   

I don't know whether the OEM ones are eccentric, but when installing them you will need to be careful to get them lined up as specified, or the above could transpire.

[jmsheahan]

Interesting thread this. Sorry to hijack slightly, other than visual signs of wear is there a way to tell if the bushes are fubbard or not i.e would you be able to feel significant movement in the beam when jacked up?

I asked a similar question on another well known forum and most of the people recommended the sport bushes from Rallysport if that helps at all. Middle ground between comfort and performance.

[VeeDubGTI16v]

you would feel the rear of the car wandering about if they were gone. it gets quite bad when they are proper f**ked!

[Mr Blue]

Budget for some copper brake lines, unions etc, new fluid and the rubber lines that attach to the beam.

Order the 6 beam bolts (3 either side)
Order the long bolt and nut that goes through the bush. Yours will be fit for the bin!

I would go OEM. They are about £35 each. Pricey yes but I'm all for OEM.

I have had poly bushes in other mk2's but OEM ones are a much better ride. Bumps are absorbed better imo

Used a blow torch to burn them/ metal expand. No cutting needed. Just a large hammer and an extra pair or hands.

Drop the beam. It is very messy and I wouldn't use a blow torch near the fuel lines



home made press in tool my dad made. Made life easy





sowtid