Rear Beam Bushings

[XMB]

Old axle developed a crack, meh, got new axle, bushings are torn and just need replacing.

Ok so where's where I am. Buy the OEM bushings because the non-oem ones are ****ty and not as solid as the OEM version. Poly inserts are bad, and pressing in the new ones are going to be a bastard.

Now, I'm getting all kinds of different information about pressing these things in, the MK4 DIY says they have to pressed in a certain way otherwise you'll experiance camber/toe issues. Is that true for us B3/B4 guys?

The other issue I see is that I'm gonna have to get the car aligned after re-installing this new beam. How true is that?

I'm all over the place with this and looking for some clarification.

oh and here's my old beam haha.
http://imgur.com/a/2LFkJ

[XMB]

Still looking for something a little more what the stock OEM bushings can offer. I came across these guys

Then I ran into this thread on a UK site

Thought I'd put this thread up as I've recently fitted a set of rear beam bushes from a Leon Cupra R to my MkIV and I found whilst researching it there wasn’t a whole heap of information on here about them – lots of posts saying ‘yeah, they’ll probably fit’ but nothing definite.

I’m sure I’m not the first person to do this mod but I’ve not seen any posts on whether it’s worth it or not - for reference, a pair of standard OEM bushes from VW costs £38.75, a pair of LCR bushes cost me £80.61 and my powerflex ones cost around £48. As you can see, the LCR bushes are whoppingly expensive and were a bit of gamble as I couldn’t find anything saying they’d definitely fit, let alone be any good.

The Part No's for the three bush types are:
VW OEM - 1J0 501 541 C
Leon Cupra R - 1Ml 501 541
Powerflex - PFR85-415

The reason for looking at the LCR bushes was that having had powerflex rear beam bushes in for nearly a year and 25k miles now, the novelty of the handling had worn off and I was getting fed up of the harsh bangy ride in the car. I got all my bushes replaced with powerflex ones just under a year ago and have spent the subsequent 11 months removing them one by one – they’re just too harsh for me and the miles I do.

However, I quite like the way car handled with them and wasn’t too keen on going back to a standard bush and am already a convert to the TT solid rubber bush for the front wishbones so after a bit of thought I decided to take the plunge and give the Cupra R bushes a whirl – surely they couldn’t be any worse than the powerflex ones?

The pics below show a comparison between the Cupra R bush (on the left) and a standard OEM one.



They look quite different – main differences are that the bushes are solid rubber, have a plastic washer on the large face and have the green plastic collar on the other. I’m not to sure what the function of the collar and washer are, my main interest was the fact they are a non-voided bush, so in theory stiffer than an OEM one.

Unfortunately though I forgot to take a pic of the OEM, LCR and powerflex bushes all together for comparison.

Anyway, with lots of help from Neil (old_n07) we got them fitted – piccie below to prove they do fit.


The bushes have been in for nearly 500 miles now – the first thing I noticed was that they are so much smoother than the powerflex bushes, especially around town where road surfaces aren’t always great. When it gets really rough, you can still tell you’ve got a firm-ish bush in there, but it still takes a lot of the ‘edge’ of the bumps and vibrations coming into the car. Out on the motorways and A-roads, again the car feels an awful lot smoother – weirdly, the car almost feels more planted at the back with the LCR bushes, although I think this must just be a perception thing as a result of the ride being smoother.

I’ve been for a couple of blasts round the twisty bits now too and I’m equally pleased with them – the car does feel different at the back compared to the powerflex bushes – not worse, just different. I’ve certainly noticed no negative effects to the handling - if I was hard pushed, I’d say the back end felt marginally less stiff and tight with the LCR bushes, but it’s hard to tell.

It’s been a while since my car had standard bushes in and it’s had a lot of suspension stuff changed since then, so I can’t easily say how they compare to a standard bush, but I know of another car running about with a very similar suspension setup that still has OEM bushes that I’m hoping to compare it to (Greg, if you’re reading this, I’ve got a small favour to ask…… )

To sum up then, I’m exceptionally pleased with them – the car is driving more smoothly than it has in a long long time and I’m really enjoying driving it at the moment.

I’d definitely chose the LCR bushes over the powerflex ones again, and can’t see myself putting standard bushes back in ever, but there’s no getting away from the fact that they’re pricey which is the only thing stopping me from giving them an absolute recommendation - although from my experience I’d be surprised if you were disappointed after spending the money on them.

I also came across these poly inserts that fit into the OEM bushings. Not sure if the same "DO NOT USE POLY" mentality applies to these inserts.

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=3494

Anyways bump

[XMB]

bump, no one knows if I can use these Leon Cupra R bushings to my b4 rear beam?

[ellocolindo]

Where are you egtting the cupra parts from?

[XMB]

http://shopping.boraparts.com/produc...roducts_id=310

Talked with Aaron who runs the site, good guy btw really polite, he believes they would.

I just don't see a difference in mk4 bushings and mk3/b4 bushings.

[Bozwell]

i have no idea if those seat bushes will work but i do know that ecs tuning has OE pieces and autohausaz.com has meyle's. i need to do mine soon and at the moment im leanin toward the meyles....never had any probs with their parts in the past

[XMB]

i have no idea if those seat bushes will work but i do know that ecs tuning has OE pieces and autohausaz.com has meyle's. i need to do mine soon and at the moment im leanin toward the meyles....never had any probs with their parts in the past

Good to know, I'm just try to see if there's an alternative because everything points to installing the stock as being a huge pain the ass. These would be infinitely better to install.

[XMB]

ugggghhh buuump

[Bozwell]

do you know if theyre the seat bushings are the same diameter as b3/b4 bushings?

[XMB]

do you know if theyre the seat bushings are the same diameter as b3/b4 bushings?

I have no idea, that's what I'm trying to find out. I'll just have to order them I think and find out the hard way.

[CrazyMonkey]

Can you get one of these auto parts places to tell you if the bushings for the Mk4 are the same as the B3/4? Another place to call and ask would be Techtonics.

[XMB]

Can you get one of these auto parts places to tell you if the bushings for the Mk4 are the same as the B3/4? Another place to call and ask would be Techtonics.

Well I haven't tried generic part stores because I'll just be told what it says in their computer or on the box.."it doesn't say anything about a Passat, so I don't think it'll work"

I haven't tried Techtonics, think maybe they'd have a better idea? I might call 034 and see what they say. Hmm..

[Bozwell]

just had a thought, i have a friend w a 20th AE GTI. ill try to meet up w him to measure the rear beam bushings and compare the measurement to my B3

[CrazyMonkey]

I haven't tried Techtonics, think maybe they'd have a better idea? I might call 034 and see what they say. Hmm..

034 would be good to try too. Both outfits have been quite helpful for me when I've had some off the wall things come up... My thought was maybe if they could look up the VW part numbers maybe they could tell you that the two parts would interchange. The a-arm bushings interchange...

[XMB]

Alright so I didn't get the information I wanted to hear from the few places I called, so I'm going to pull the trigger and order the bushings.

We'll see if they fit, if they do we have an alternative to the OEM option. If not, well at least we'll know.

[hamradio]

mk4 beam bushings are most definitely not the same as b4 beam bushings.

and even more fun, the mk2/mk3 bushings are different than b4 beam bushings, as well.

the part number you seek for the b3/b4 bushing is:

3A0501541

also, there are four of them.

[91B3DUB]

so the b3/b4 bushings are the same? im going to change mine soon too just wanted to know where i can look for this

[Bozwell]

b3 and b4 bushings are def the same. XMB, any updates on the mk4 bushings?

[hamradio]

yep, b3/b4 bushing is the same.

mk4 bushing is a bit larger in diameter than a b3 bushing.

[XMB]

b3 and b4 bushings are def the same. XMB, any updates on the mk4 bushings?

Still waiting on my set. Boraparts just got 6 sets in and they were already claimed. I'm number 7 on the list, so the next batch which I'm told is supposed to be in any day I'll get a set.

mk4 beam bushings are most definitely not the same as b4 beam bushings.

Interesting..

I went to an autozone and asked for mk4 bushings and compared sizes to my old stock B4 ones, the length was the same and the diameter was a hair larger. This is what I could see by eye, I didn't have a tape on me so I dunno how off it would be.

Other than that giant elephant ear on the front side of the stock B4 bushing I'm not seeing a huge reason why these wouldn't work.

I'll keep everyone updated when I get more info.

[XMB]

So it's been a long time since I ordered these Cupra R bushings from BoraParts. During that time I had my buddy with his mk4 jetta stop by and I measured everything out.

Unforuntatley the bushings will not work on the b3/b4. It's roughly around a half inch too short so it won't work.

Anyways, guess all we have are the chinese junk parts or OEM replacements.

With the OEM replacements do we have to cut out the metal ears out of the beam or do we leave those in?

I see on the DIY for Jetta/Golf's that they cut them out, and they have to press in their bushings, it's not the same case for us is it?

[Venkman]

you could get these if regular bushings just don't do it for you...

http://scch-heads.com/viewpart.php?id=34

actually now i'm not convinced the passats are the same as the corrado or mk3

it's seems the corrado vr6 and mk3 use the same style and the g60 and mk2s use the same style but the passats seem to be totally different then either of those 2.

[XMB]

I just bought replacement OEM bushings from NAPA, from what I gathered they're NOT coming from China, not sure where they do come from though.

Anyways, busted out the old metal sleeves with a hacksaw and a trusty hammer. I just need the damn VAG tool 3111.

Anyone have it and would be willing to loan it?

[ToddA1]

I just looked that bushing up and it's funky. Please post back where those Napa bushings are made.

If you take the bushing you cut out I'm guessing that it'll nest against a new bushing? I'm thinking weld the cut back together and you just made an arbor. Some hardened all thread, some heavy flat stock, some welding and you just made yourself a puller/pusher.

After you're done with it, sell it or rent it out.

-Todd