Bush selections...

**gavs** · 21-09-2009, 11:48 AM

Hi all,

I had a weekend down in Lorne and did some nice spirited driving along the Great ocean Road. Was lucky enough to get drivers that actually use the turn-outs which was good

Anyway, what I did notice is that the front end of the golf is feeling a bit tired. I have replaced the rear lower control arm bushes with the R32/TT solid ones which eliminated some knocking for a while, but now the knock is returning. So while I'm waiting for my KYB AGX's to arrive, I figured I'd start reseaching into what options I have.

Basically, I want the car to handle well but not be totally like a racer with lots of NVH etc. I have uprated torque arm bushes which I can live with but i'm looking for a hybrid setup I think, something a bit firmer but still relatively compliant.

Soooo, my list is:

Lower control arm Front bushes
Front swaybar bushes / Replacement end links

I would prefer to buy locally but if I have to, will go overseas. Have already looked into Superpro and Red Ranger (aka Nolathane). Has anyone had any experience with these 2 companies??

Cheers,
Gav

**h100vw** · 21-09-2009, 09:40 PM

If those rear wishbone bushes are in correctly I'd say the roll bar bushes, as you have identified, are the culprit. I have had it my self on a couple of MK4s.

Gavin

**No457 Snowy** · 21-09-2009, 09:57 PM

Mate this may sound a bit obvious but have you replaced the strut-top rubber mounts+bearings? as these can cause a knocking/rattle sound over small bumps etc, especially under braking. If they haven't been done for a while they will be compressed and very hard and it's a pretty cheap fix, might be worthwhile.

Snowy

**audi-tone** · 21-09-2009, 10:10 PM

going through the same thing at the moment.. replaced the D bushes in the swaybar along with the top strut bushings (has helped A LOT) and i still have the noise, at this point i have new rear control arm bushing that are ready to go in (just need to press them into the arm) and hopefully that makes my sound go away. tried to get the r32 ones and the parts department told me there were no such thing?! and all mk4 golfs had the same bushings.. we'll see how they go.

pricesi got from the dealer (austral vw) if anyones interested:

- top strut bushes $45 each
- swaybar D bushes $44 each
- control arm bushes $35 each

rather expensive for pieces of moulded rubber i thought!..

good luck with it.

**h100vw** · 21-09-2009, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by audi-tone

tried to get the r32 ones and the parts department told me there were no such thing?! .

Take them back and get the parts dude to do his job mate.

8N0 407 181B is the number.

Have him search for it and then tell you they all have the same number.......

Gavin

**Manaz** · 22-09-2009, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by h100vw

Take them back and get the parts dude to do his job mate.

8N0 407 181B is the number.

Have him search for it and then tell you they all have the same number.......

Gavin

I was about to say the same thing...

The non-R32 ones have holes cut in the rubber (to reduce stiffness and increase compliance/reduce noise). The effect on compliance/noise is minimal, but the effect on handling and life expectancy is substantial - the cuts form a natural weakness in the part, and they simply tear themselves to pieces.

If you just put the stock ones back in now, you'll end up replacing them relatively shortly again. The R32/TT ones last a lot longer.

Amusingly, they have the same part number for the R32 and TT, but if you buy them through Audi, they'll slug you with a 50% premium.

That said, they're about 1/3rd the price if you get them from overseas. Seb @ Euro Automotive (bug_racer) brings stuff in from ECS, he may have a set available, and you'll likely pay less from him than you will through a VW stealership.

**gavs** · 22-09-2009, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, Gavin, Snowy and Manaz, I was hoping you guys would all reply

What I have done is as follows:
-New strut mounts, went with standard OE rubber ones. (5 months ago)
-New lower control arm bushes, rear, R32 solid rubber ones. This eliminated the knocking initially, but it's back again, hoping they're not flogged out already! (2 months ago)
-New front sway bar "D" bushes, standard OE rubber for 21mm sway bar (2 months ago)

I'm looking at going an 80 duro polyurethane setup for the sway bar end links as i'm pretty sure these are worn, they feel it, and polyurethane again for the front bush on the lower control arm, again being an 80 duro.

Gavin, Snowy, Manaz and anyone else out there, what kind of setups are you running and how does it feel?

**gavs** · 22-09-2009, 02:21 PM

Well, i just put in the sway bar end link bushes, will let all know what difference there is, if any.....

**No457 Snowy** · 22-09-2009, 03:05 PM

Gavs, the control arm rear R32 solid bushes are a good move (2 months old, they should be fine I'd think)

Since the new strut top mounts were put in, have the struts been removed again by any chance? because that happened with me. I had put in new top mounts and then only 6 months later the struts were removed again for some other work and I thought it would be ok to re-use the mounts because they weren't very old, but I ended up with knocking sounds and after replacing the rubber top mounts again, it's never done it since. Mine didn't seem to like being re-used for some reason. Since then I just concluded that any time I pull the struts out I should just put new rubber mounts on.

Have you had a look at your driveshafts to confirm they have not been contacting on the swaybar (knocking sound), especially if you are lowered.

I'm no expert here either, but from what I've been able to find out you may as well use the stock VW control arm "front" bushes as the urethane ones won't give you any gains over the stock ones. At least that is what I concluded.

Snowy.