$50 Rear Axle Bushing Solution

[herring0157]

I recently acquired an 04 Aveo with a clunking rear end...After doing a visual inspection and some research here I determined that it was likely the rear axle bushing.
As I was poking around the web I found this website:

VWVortex.com - How to: DIY rear axle bushing replacement, MKIV

Seeing as some of the other suspension components were easily adaptable from the VW world, and the striking similar appearance between the VW bushings mentioned in the above how-to, I decided to order a set and see if they fit. Sure enough, they worked perfect. I had to taper the first 3/4" of the bushing to get it to pull straight into the axle, but it is a really tight fit and the clunking rear end is gone.

So if you're going to replace your own rear axle bushings, order VW p/n 1J0501541C and follow the how to above... Cheaper than a new rear axle from GM and cheaper than the bushings from ebay.

Hope this helps everyone save a few pennies. The VW bushings cost me about $50 after shipping.

[petrified.rabbit]

i'm glad you did this, i have been thinking the same for a while..

that would mean these will/should fit:

Prothane Suspension Parts - Part Number 15.3118 - Rear Axel Beam Bushings

[Chiclet]

I need to do this, its not to difficult to do is it?
Do i have to take the axle off the car to replace the bushings? im sure you have to but im just wondering.
Is the axle easy to come off?

[Chiclet]

And did you order from VW or how did you get these parts?

[herring0157]

I did this with the axle on the car. Support the car, leave the shocks attached and undo the bolts that attach the axle to the car. Leave a jack under the axle to support it. I was able to lower the axle enough to gain access to the bushings without even disconnecting the brake lines.
Getting the new bushings in was a PITA, I ended up tapering the leading edge of the bushing a bit on my bench grinder, then used a threaded rod and some plumbing fittings to press the new bushings into place.
I did not order the parts directly from VW, just some internet parts supplier that had a good price on the parts. Sometimes shipping on these can be $$$ if they come right from Europe.

@petrified.rabbit - I saw those poly bushings. They look like a completely different design, as they press in from both sides, but they should work as they are meant for the same car as the VW p/n I listed. They might be easier to install. Since I wasn't going for any performance increase, I went with a stock style bushing.

[wally]

Hey.....you can get those rear axle bushings on ebay with this seller eBay My World - friesian55 I got these on my chevy aveo5.....

[HeavyDuty]

Hey.....you can get those rear axle bushings on ebay with this seller eBay My World - friesian55 I got these on my chevy aveo5.....

Rabiit did you try these bushing's you mentioned here ? Prothane suspention parts, part number 15.3118 ?

[petrified.rabbit]

Not in the aveo,but i have used them in a few vw's.

[HeavyDuty]

ok...I am still working on steering issues, have not got back to the alignment yet. Since I had that alignment done, there is a clunk and bang coming from the rear pass tire....it was not there before the alignment....I am jumping to the conclusion that the bushing back there is gone and it now bangs because the rear toe isn't so far out of whack....have rear tires with lots of toe would keep pressure on the bushings, now they aren't so out of toe.....trailing arm is free to clunk and bang.

There is nothing else back there that can be making that noise that I can see, but by eye the bushings look ok. I am going to change them and see if the noise disappears.....those look like the cat's meow, just wanted to check with you to see if you still think they would be ok to use. Get that done..then back to the alignment !

[petrified.rabbit]

Personally, i think that adjusting the rear alignment on a rear beam equipped car, even with the excessive toe, is a waste. Mine has a very extreme toe measurement compared to stock and the tires are wearing fine, and i can't rotate my tires.

Anyhow, the rear noise could be the shock mounts, check those, And also verify the spindles are torqued properly.