dyep8ball03
Well-known member
I have been looking at purchasing and replacing the rear beam bushings and noticed kerma has a set of whiteline polyurethane bushings instead of the OEM VW ones. Any advantages/disadvantages either way?
Rear axle bushings, stock vs poly mounts
- Thread starter dyep8ball03
- Start date
SkyRyder55
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- TDI
- 1998 Jetta TDI, 1990 Corrado G60 (AHU soon)
i have a set that I have not installed yet. I really like the idea of how much easier they will be to install. Doubt I will be installing anytime soon though as my jetta is probably a write off.
roadhard1960
Veteran Member
The OEM bushings are pretty easy to push in. My guess is that you may get a bit more road noise with poly bushings. Some of the roads I drive are loud enough that I do not need bushings adding to the noise. I did install the Audi pucks up front. They were a wee bit noisier but the front end felt more precise. On the other hand I was replacing worn out bushings so anything would have felt better.
I do need to inspect my rear bushings again. It has been a long while since the last replacement. Never mind, only 147,000 miles on the rear bushings so they are probably still ok. Well I will look if it get warm today.
I do need to inspect my rear bushings again. It has been a long while since the last replacement. Never mind, only 147,000 miles on the rear bushings so they are probably still ok. Well I will look if it get warm today.
SkyRyder55
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- TDI
- 1998 Jetta TDI, 1990 Corrado G60 (AHU soon)
i dont know how much transfer of noise you would get from them. they are not really taking any load. just a pivot point. Maybe on square edge bumps might be more.
dyep8ball03
Well-known member
I don't have that bad of roads around me (for the most part), so the noise wouldn't be much of a factor to me. Think I'll bite the bullet and get the poly bushings.
jayoldschool
Veteran Member
While I was researching how to replace the bushings, I found an excellent write up that argued against using the polys in that application. Can't remember if it was here or on the Vortex, but it is worth looking for. I'm going with the upgraded OEM bushings. They're only 25 bucks each.
Here's the big how to on the Vortex.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...DIY-rear-axle-bushing-replacement-MKIV/page10
Here's the big how to on the Vortex.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...DIY-rear-axle-bushing-replacement-MKIV/page10
davebugs
Vendor
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2003
- Location
- Pittsburgh suburb
- TDI
- 2001 Golf TDI Automatic, MKIV rear axle bushing install tools
Search here a bit.
Most of the threads I used to follow the folks ended up yanking the polly's out.
Usually due to squeaking and endless oiling to try and stop squeaking more than harshness I believe.
If your originals are shot fresh OEM's will make a world of difference. There are also OEM solid rubber ones. But for most folks on a dialy driver they may be too stiff. And Polly would certainly be stiffer than that.
I do have some polly stuff on my old air cooled's that don't see many miles. And I doubt I'll install more even on the old stuff other than the shifting coupler.
Most of the threads I used to follow the folks ended up yanking the polly's out.
Usually due to squeaking and endless oiling to try and stop squeaking more than harshness I believe.
If your originals are shot fresh OEM's will make a world of difference. There are also OEM solid rubber ones. But for most folks on a dialy driver they may be too stiff. And Polly would certainly be stiffer than that.
I do have some polly stuff on my old air cooled's that don't see many miles. And I doubt I'll install more even on the old stuff other than the shifting coupler.
SkyRyder55
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- TDI
- 1998 Jetta TDI, 1990 Corrado G60 (AHU soon)
ive got poly stuff on everything up front and have no complaints. it transmitts lots of vibes, but the tight handling is very nice.
powerfool
Veteran Member
I was able to swap out my rear beam bushings without removing the axle... it was a pain, but possible. I used the Lemförders that are quite similar (nearly identical) to the OEM; they are supposed to be a moderate upgrade.
davebugs
Vendor
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2003
- Location
- Pittsburgh suburb
- TDI
- 2001 Golf TDI Automatic, MKIV rear axle bushing install tools
We've been using a lot of the Lemforders with no issues yet, OEM in a jamb when no time to wait on a a shipment if I don't have a set on hand.
Atleast 2 vendors here sell the Lemforders that folks have bought or rented the tool sourced from. It's VERY imortant to get excellent quality bushings and not the cheapest. Not just for installation but longevity. A lot of the cheap ones have a lot of trouble with rubber flash and much less round on the outside grey plastic than your Lenforder's were.
Not sure about them being an upgrade, but if the old ones were shot it's a heck of a difference, that's for sure.
Atleast 2 vendors here sell the Lemforders that folks have bought or rented the tool sourced from. It's VERY imortant to get excellent quality bushings and not the cheapest. Not just for installation but longevity. A lot of the cheap ones have a lot of trouble with rubber flash and much less round on the outside grey plastic than your Lenforder's were.
Not sure about them being an upgrade, but if the old ones were shot it's a heck of a difference, that's for sure.
jayoldschool
Veteran Member
While we are discussing bushings, am I going to hurt anything by driving my Jetta with a clunking bushing? I've had to press the car into daily service due to another car dying. I do intend to replace the bushings, but can't for a couple of weeks.
993cc
Veteran Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2006
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta Tdi Wagon, Bought September 2009 with 60,000 Km on the clock. Died September 2013, at 142,000 km. in a collision with a moose. 2006 MklV BEW Jetta wagon Bought October 2013, 136,000 Km.
Cupra R rear bushings will give you extra firmness without the squeaking of poly. Spendy, though.I have been looking at purchasing and replacing the rear beam bushings and noticed kerma has a set of whiteline polyurethane bushings instead of the OEM VW ones. Any advantages/disadvantages either way?
verboten1
Veteran Member
I put poly in 2 weeks ago. I want to remove them already. I have a ton more road noise, it's annoying. And they were not very easy to install!!