Trailing arm bushes

[lhd]

I have got to change these as the clunking from the rear is doing my head in. any tips?
Going to try and get 4 new bolts from VW if poss if not then Brickwerks. I think I wil go with original bushes as I'm reading mixed reviews regarding these poly bushes for the trailing arms (mainly from Honda enthusiasts mind).

I have been looking for the correct tool which in the Bently says VAG 3053, has any one got one I could borrow? or could anyone shed any light on them?
I have found a site in Germany that sells them for around 41 yoyos + p&p..... dieselkontor.de. It says guide sleeve but I will be gutted if it's just a piece of pipe.

I know I will probably never use it again, but I have been down that road of changing bushes without the right tool and it took me a whole day to do one bush, so it will probably save me in the long run.
Rob.

[axeman]

all the parts are still available new from TPS (vw), or they were a year or so ago when i messed around with my trailing arms, the bushes were about £15 each and the nuts and bolts were crazy money at about £5 each, lot of money for a bolt but i figured all the weight of the van is on them so i bit the bullet and paid the money.
have you managed to get the arms off yet? as if you have not you will probobly end up cutting the nuts and bolt off as none of them on my van would budge. so i would add a couple of the supper thin angle grinder disks to your shoping list as well, i also ended cutting through the bush with these to remove the trailing arm,

i took my arms to a local enginering shop and they pressed to old bushes out and the new ones in for me. they only wanted a drink for it, if you buy the tool you will still have to find a press. have heard from some one (think it was jake) that it can be done with some studding, washers and bolts.



good luck neil

[syncroand101]

Yes, it was me, I still have the device somewhere, m10 threaded Rod and appropriate thickness tubing to guide the bushes in - worked a treat, just wound them right in (greased up to help).

[futbus]

These are available from GSF if you ask and Lemforder brand. They may have to order them in as we had most of what they had left recently.

[Andy syncro-nutz]

You can drill out the rubber from the old bushes, Save on all that pressing stuff

[Rogue Trooper]

I used a thin cutting disk to remove mine. Once in the vice i drilled mine out a, using plenty of WD so the drill dont overheat (make sure the drill has a reverse as the rubber can grip it and wont let go!

I made my fitting tool using a length of threaded bar and old Syncro bits!

Used 2 front "Mounting seat" washer and the inner race of a CV + Loads of silicon grease took me about 1h per bush.

[Aidan]

I have 3053, it's a reducing tube, reduces the rubber diameter so it will fit in, and fits tightly on arm, I have the other one too, they do make the job easy as does a press
or you can go powerflex bushes no tools required

[syncrodoug]

I usually burn them out!

[lhd]

I have 3053, it's a reducing tube, reduces the rubber diameter so it will fit in, and fits tightly on arm, I have the other one too, they do make the job easy as does a press
or you can go powerflex bushes no tools required

I thought the powerfllex ones needed the tool also as they are not split like the front tca bushes?

To be honest I would rather the original bushes for the trailing arms anyway.
I'm going to order the bolts monday and start getting the arms off.
Rob.

[jed the spread]

About time you made a start ya slacker... Your missing loads of fun

jed

[silverbullet]

The bolts aren't anything special are they? Just 10.9 grade, plated M12?
I ask as I now have to replace the rotten nearside trailing arm before Coney Farm... Please O deity of weather, make it stay dry!

[axeman]

The bolts aren't anything special are they? Just 10.9 grade, plated M12?
I ask as I now have to replace the rotten nearside trailing arm before Coney Farm... Please O deity of weather, make it stay dry!

yep from memory, they are not any thing that special, i went to vw as i could not source them else where in a rush, may be worth measuring the amount of thread on the bolts and how much of it is solid,

good luck neil

[ELVIS]

Some of the T3 suspension nuts/bolts are larger Metric sizes but with fine pitch thread on , can't remember about rears though. Will check on monday if needs be

[Simon Baxter]

I wouldn't use powerflex bushes on the rear of a syncro, counter productive. You'll loose articulation.
The bushes in the arm aren't aligned, they work against each other, using a firmer material will make the arm naturally want to return to it's horizontal position more.
The powerflex rear trailing arm bushes are not split, they are cast in one piece, you'll still need the tool for them.
All the front poly bushes are fine, I would stick with rubber for the rear.
VW used Lemforder bushes.

OE Bush
Poly Bush
Bolts

I also think we have some none genuine bolts on the shelf too, same tensile strength [12.9] but normal thread instead of the fine thread VW used.

[Simon Baxter]

Oh, to remove simply hack one of the "mushrooms" off with a saw, it will make it much easier to press through.
The proper tool does make life easier, but not essential.