$50 Rear Axle Bushing Solution

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.....

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

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

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 !

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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I had just put in new shocks 3 weeks ago and new mounts, I took it apart today the brand new shock was no good I could push it in with out resistance but had resistance coming back up...hmmm well anyways the noise is gone and no additional cost. I took a really good look at my bushings and they are fine (86,000km).The VW ones up here are 70.00 each.

I don't know Rabbit about beam axle car rear wheels, to align or not align. I am just that kinda guy if it's not straight and there is a way to straighten it.....I align things more for fuel mileage than any other reason, this is the first car I have ever had tire wear issues/handling issues with....it's was/is so messed up I am just trying to get everything the way it really should be in the first place.

I can tell you this though, I was driving down the hwy at 60mph,hwy was bone dry and it was winter time. There was a smooth icepack strip on my lefthand side and I had the kiwi plugged in so I was watching the instant mpg..I slid the pass side tires over onto the ice strip, 7MPG increase. I went on and off the ice strip several times to make sure it was accurate. That's a pile of tire scrub..somewhere !

hi has anyone used these yet i need to replace mine and want to know if they fit or not?? will be for 2005 Pontiac Wave automatic. Energy Suspension 15.3118 - Rear Axle Beam Bushings. Energy Suspension ENE-15.3118G

Yes, the Energy Suspension 15.3118 bushings fit the rear trailing arm. I'm using them.

good 3 year bump

I know it was an old thread. I was looking for a confirmation that it would fit, but every thread only said they *should* fit. Nobody had ever confirmed it. Now anyone searching has that confirmation.

I noticed my bushings have essentially lost their connection from the rubber to the outer sleeve due to corrosion, age, and mileage. The entire rear axle is actually shifted over to the drivers side by 1/2" to 3/4". It's somewhat deceiving since the actual rubber is in decent shape, except that she has let go by allowing the ass end to shift from side to side. I have removed the old bushings and their sleeves within about 45 minutes from beginning to end. I'm now awaiting the VW bushings and have a couple of questions.

First question: The oem bushings were pressed in from the inside outward. I'm assuming I should also install the new vw bushings the same way? It would be easier rigging up the press to just push them from the outside in, but I want to keep it as OEM as possible. So does it even matter which way? I also noticed the youtube video of the dorman replacement bushings also show pressing from the outside in.
Second question: The vw bushings installation seems to show a certain orientation of the bushing before pressing it back in. Now they're obviously round and it shouldn't matter, except that it looks as though the inner bushing has 3 tapers that they probably want aligned a certain way? Is there a particular orientation for these bushings on the aveo? Is there a type of off-set to the inside of the bushing where the bolt goes?Or can they just be slapped right in there?