Rear Axle Bushings

[The Horak]

Hey guys, I've got an '04 Jetta. I am redoing the entire suspension, so I was thinking that the rear axle bushings would be a good thing to change, as well. After doing research online, it looks like it could be a terrible job to get involved with. Now, I don't have any noticeable issues with my current bushings, but they have over 240,000 miles on them. I don't get any clunking or issues when I hit bumps or take turns. And I think my tire wear is fine. I just wanted to upgrade them, but do you think it's worth it to do it myself, assuming there aren't any issues with my current bushings? I'm not bad at car work, but my tools are limited, as is my experience.

 

[oilhammer]

If you have the right tools it is not that bad of a job. Tough to say if yours are "bad". I think people who drive around with worn out shocks for a long time cause them more harm than anything.

I find quite often they are deformed to the point that I cannot always get the rear axle beam aligned as nice as I would like it to be.

 

[The Horak]

If you have the right tools it is not that bad of a job. Tough to say if yours are "bad". I think people who drive around with worn out shocks for a long time cause them more harm than anything.
I find quite often they are deformed to the point that I cannot always get the rear axle beam aligned as nice as I would like it to be.

What would you consider to be the right tools, and how long would you expect a job like this to take?

 

[oilhammer]

I use a lift, I drop the beam out, put it on sawhorses, air chisel the old bushings out, use a cylinder hone to clean up the beam, sometimes a file to dress any bad spots, then a bushing press tool to put the new ones back in.

You can just hang the beam down and do it on jackstands (I have never had to do this, but I know people do it all the time).

I have the actual SST, but it does not work to get the old ones out, they are typically just too rusted in place. Air chisel works better. But people have used files/hand chisels/hacksaws/etc. to get the old ones out too.

And cheap aftermarket tools are available on eBay and other places that work pretty good, or people have cobbled up some home made thing.

 

[david_594]

I did mine quite a few years ago and don't remember it being too disastrous of a project except for one complication.

I dropped the beam completely and had to disconnect the brake lines to do it. And in the process of disconnecting one, I ruined one of the hard brake lines and had to wait for a replacement on that.

 

[csstevej]

I've done several on the car, air chisel is a must, old bushing out in less than 10 min taking your time. A member had made a tool for installation of the rear bearings, sweet tool to. If I can find him I'm my emails I will post it.
Start to finish 2.0 hrs a side on car.....and that's taking my time....maybe 1-1.5 if rushed.
First one I did took the longest, no air chisel, go to HF and find the cheapest one as long as you have an air compressor. Makes nice work of it

 

[Mike_04GolfTDI]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video on how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkvKE3RJK1o

If you buy a $2000 hydraulic press tool, it's easy!

 

[dirtride]

Don't know if it's the music, the coveralls or the moustache. But that press tool kit is a very nice set!! Spring compressor as well...

 

[Rob Mayercik]

I just learned recently that mine are still holding on at 342,000 miles. Might be worth taking a good look and seeing if they're showing signs of wearing out before pulling it apart...

 

[The Horak]

Yep. I'm not hearing any bad noises, and let's face it, I don't have a real racer. I'm content.

 

[CNGVW]

I do a lot of them so here are some of my tips.
use a lift relise the brake line clips give you some more room to drop the beam.
I use a sawsawal make a few cuts from the inside to the out bushing then air chisel.
Use a die grinder to clean up the rust.
You need a good tool http://www.idparts.com/rear-axle-bushing-installation-tool-a4-p-3051.html $49
or install upgraded racing kit no install tool needed I run them on my race car and work great.