Chris B
Veteran Member
I replaced both front and rear control arm bushings last April at 152,000 miles. The rear bushings were looking a little weathered with some checking cracks, but nothing bad. The rest of the suspension has also recently been replaced with new Monroe SensaTraks, bump stops, strut mounts, VR6 wagon front springs (broke one of the OEM springs - rust), and wheel bearings and LBJ were replaced at 130,000 or so.
Well, I've been noticing some weird handling lately - wandering and crosswind sensitivity - as well as a pull to the left under light braking. I turned the front rotors to eliminate some pulsation not more than 5,000 miles ago, and it did for a while, but now the vibration is back. It felt like something was moving around up front which never is good.
I took advantage of the 33 degree day and pulled the wheels off to have a look. I was NOT happy with what I found. The right front rear bushing is totally trashed and split - I can move the control arm around like the bushing is made out of a DingDong. The left front rear bushing isn't totally gone, but it's close.
I installed them per the Bentley book orientation and didn't spray them with anything that would eat the rubber. I purchased them from IDParts (OEM type bushings - not TT or otherwise).
The part cost is trivial ($8 each) - can't even get a pizza for a pair of them. What irritates me is that these bushings lasted 8 months. The originals lasted over 8 YEARS. Not only is it a pain in the a$$ to replace them, I need to get an alignment afterwords (now I'm wishing I bought the "lifetime" alignment).
Anyone else have this problem? Who sells a decent bushing? Should I cough up for a actual, real deal VW OEM part from the dealer?
Chris
Well, I've been noticing some weird handling lately - wandering and crosswind sensitivity - as well as a pull to the left under light braking. I turned the front rotors to eliminate some pulsation not more than 5,000 miles ago, and it did for a while, but now the vibration is back. It felt like something was moving around up front which never is good.
I took advantage of the 33 degree day and pulled the wheels off to have a look. I was NOT happy with what I found. The right front rear bushing is totally trashed and split - I can move the control arm around like the bushing is made out of a DingDong. The left front rear bushing isn't totally gone, but it's close.
I installed them per the Bentley book orientation and didn't spray them with anything that would eat the rubber. I purchased them from IDParts (OEM type bushings - not TT or otherwise).
The part cost is trivial ($8 each) - can't even get a pizza for a pair of them. What irritates me is that these bushings lasted 8 months. The originals lasted over 8 YEARS. Not only is it a pain in the a$$ to replace them, I need to get an alignment afterwords (now I'm wishing I bought the "lifetime" alignment).
Anyone else have this problem? Who sells a decent bushing? Should I cough up for a actual, real deal VW OEM part from the dealer?
Chris