control arm bushings

**dougyfresh** · 08-28-2008 12:12 PM

Anyone ever do control arm bushings in our cars? Specifically the rear?

I just had an alignment done and was told the rear upper driver control arm bushings are shot. I need to go inspect the rear suspension and confirm.

The service writer also mumbled something about the center diff seal was leaking. I just did the trans so I don't know what they are talking about

. Things looked dry to me. Waiting for the dealership to call me back.

When I dropped the Avant off earlier this morning I had a classic Fast Times moment "Don't fuck with it." (but in a polite, non-profane way)

UPDATE:
Just spoke to the tech. The rear upper control arm bushing, the eccentric that adjusts camber is bad. The bolt is frozen in the bushing. I told him I'll replace them when I install the coil-overs next summer.

The tailhousing driveshaft seal is leaking. A seal I never touched. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. I mentioned the tailhousing was off and I 'tweaked' the center diff. "Yeah, I noticed that." Guess he saw that when he was pulling the car in and out of the shop.

Camber was set to -1deg 13mins. Right within spec for my car. They were able to get the rear wheels adjusted to within spec. Should be good to go 'till I do coil-overs next summer. Then I'll re-align to 1.2 or 1.5deg camber.

**CyberPMG** · 08-28-2008 12:23 PM

My understanding is that the control arms are only for the front suspension? Maybe he was referring to the one control arm that was behind the other one? I was going to do this to my control arms. The bushings are very easy to replace. Push the old one out, and push the new one in.

Unfortunately for me, the ball joint was also shot (not replaceable), so I had to get all new control arms.

**dougyfresh** · 08-28-2008 12:30 PM

I think tech was referring to #7 in this image. Is that the bushing that controls the rear camber? Or is it #16 or 17?

http://www.genuinevwaudiparts.com/pa...02&catalogid=1

**CyberPMG** · 08-28-2008 01:16 PM

That's a good question. I'm not sure. From reviewing your picture and link, #17 is the bushing. #16 is the control arm itself.

**absolutegtr** · 08-28-2008 01:21 PM

#16 lines up with #6 and its at that "joint" where the eccentric bolt for the camber goes through.

**dougyfresh** · 08-28-2008 01:22 PM

Thanks Sami.
Guess I need to buy the control arm as a whole. I'll pull my wheels off and take a look at what it physically looks like (assembled) relative to the exploded diagram.

**edge19lw** · 08-28-2008 01:27 PM

i dont mean to threadjack but you were saying that your center differential was leaking, is that located where the drive shaft connects to the transmission? (if so mines leaking in that area too)

**vdubstreets** · 08-28-2008 01:50 PM

http://www.blauparts.com/featured_it...l%20arms.shtml
decent prices
but i think my friends shop would beat there prices if need be, and hes closer to you i think.

I've messed with the front control arms but never the rear, there is a bolt that you just wrench on which absolutegtr was talking about that does the camber i can confirm i did my alignment with a friend of mine at his shop. didn't come out so well though i think his machine was off. if you need any more pics or want price quotes lmk.

**dougyfresh** · 08-28-2008 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by edge19lw

i dont mean to threadjack but you were saying that your center differential was leaking, is that located where the drive shaft connects to the transmission? (if so mines leaking in that area too)

Yes. Apparently the seal that seals the tailshaft onto the tailhousing is leaking oil. I never noticed this when I took the trans apart. Gonna have to crawl under the car and check it out with my own two eyes to confirm or deny said leakage.