Rear spring issue?

[RedNeck]

The backend of my 01 Golf sounds like it is bottoming out regularly. I drive on country roads a fair bit so I see my fair share of potholes. After replacing the shocks it is better but it still doesn't take much of a dimple in the road for it to bang. The springs didn't look broken when I replaced the shocks so it was a surprise to me that the shock replacement didn't solve my problem.

Any ideas? All I can think of is that the springs are sprung. Is that possible?

 

[johnboy00]

I'd bet that it's your rear axle beam bushings.

 

[jake8842]

Did you replace the mounts when you replaced the shocks? If so, your rear axle bushings are shot

 

[RUGsux72]

...Also did YOU do your shock replacement? If so, did you replace your bumpstops? Make sure your bumpstops are there...without'em you're begging to blow your new shocks.

 

[davebugs]

I'd bet that it's your rear axle beam bushings.

yep. Exactly how mine behaved.

 

[RedNeck]

Well, I did replace the shocks myself and the bumpstops are there - although they are starting to show their age and could probably use a freshening up soon. Not exactly sure what you mean by shock mounts jake. So I am going to take it that the springs are probably not the issue and I should be leaning in the direction of the axle bushings. I searched up on that job and it doesn't look the easiest. This vehicle is my only working machine at the moment so if I go down that road I better not forget anything and it better go well - if I decide to replace them myself that is. Dave did you replace yours yourself or did you have a shop do it? Any idea what kind of coin I might be looking at if I were to have someone else replace them? Is anything going to get nasty if I leave them for a while? Any other options?

 

[davebugs]

The job can be tough.

I invented a tool to do it with the beam in the car.

Most important is get Quality bushings - I recommend OEM just incase. I have seen decent BOGE. Stay away from Mehle and First Genuine Parts and some others I've seen.

I have several techs here in the rust belt that can do the whole job in an hour with my tool. They have done many and experience does count.

There is a procedure here. For folks who rent or buy my tool I have a bunch of pics.

I have several canadians I put in touch with each other that want to rent the tool. Shipping to and from Canada is pretty high.

PM me if you'd like another to find out about another member or two you may be able to work with or perhaps have a GTG.

 

[jake8842]

The rear shocks have mounts that attach the shocks to the mounts and then the mounts to the body.