Hi,

 

Speaking (over the phone) to the resident wheel alignment expert here in Auckland, New Zealand about the inner tyre wear on our car. He notes that many Audis and VWs suffer from this tyre wear issue and its likely to be worn 'castor bushes', also know as 'brake reaction bushes'. He reviewed the previous wheel alignment sheet and while not perfect he did say it shouldn't be causing wear. We were talking about the rear of the car, but he said at higher mileage (100k miles+) the bushes are bound to be worn out, allowing for wheel movement under braking.

 

Now, none of those terms are familiar to me, so wondering if anyone can tell me which parts these are from the diagram below.

 

Thanks

Matt

 

 

Edited 23 April, 20188 yr by williamshatnerspants

The braking load is going to push the wheel and suspension backwards relative to the car, so I'd guess the bushing most under pressure for that would be number 3 in the diagram below. The bushings relating to camber would I think be mainly 8, 14, 15, 17,  as those all position the wheel carrier (16) relative to vertical. They would also play some role in front-rear stability, especially in controlling dive under braking. It would probably be worth getting someone who knows the suspension on these cars well to take a good look through for worn/damaged bushings before going any further.

 

Edited 23 April, 20188 yr by chimaera
Forgot image :O

6 hours ago, williamshatnerspants said:

Now, none of those terms are familiar to me, so wondering if anyone can tell me which parts these are from the diagram below.

 

1 - rack rod

4 - hexagon collar nut self-locking

5 - hex collared bolt

6 - washer

7 - hexagon head bolt (combi)

8 - hexagon collar nut

9 - retaining washer

10 - coupling rod

11 - hexagon collar nut self-locking

12 - socket head bolt with inner multipoint head

13 - hexagon collar nut self-locking

14 - wheel bearing housing

15 - rubber bush

16 - anti-roll bar

17 - clamp

18 - socket head collared bolt with inner multipoint head

21 - support frame

Thanks. Will take the car in to the mechanic, just curious as to the naming of suspension parts as there seems to be a whole bunch of names for the same thing. I can't confirm what a  'castor bush/brake reaction bush' is in relation to the Superb.

17 hours ago, williamshatnerspants said:

I can't confirm what a  'castor bush/brake reaction bush' is in relation to the Superb.

 

And its not just the Superb. On my past BMW's this bushing was called "thrust arm bushing", "anti-dive bushing" in addition to the two terms you heard!

Edited 24 April, 20188 yr by TheRobinK
typo

Part of the issue is that the last 20 years has seen significant development of new suspension layouts by manufacturers, many of which are necessarily different in order to avoid encroaching on patents. So standard terminology from days past doesn't fit properly now. IMO it's probably best to use whatever term the manufacturer coined for the components when discussing them so the terminology at least stays consistent.

An update.

 

The mechanic confirmed the front lower control arm rear mount bush is worn. This is the bush inside the silver alloy mount. These are typically replaced along with the corresponding front bush. The quote I got for the parts alone was steep, so I have sourced the complete replacement control arms (Meyle) which include the mounts, and bushes. These are cheaper than the individual parts, and means I can do the work myself (no press required).

 

 

 

Now I just need to find out if the mounting bolts need to be replaced and what their torque settings are. 

 

Matt

 

 

I've uses Meyle parts in the past and I was not impressed with the quality. Febi, TRW or Lemforder are a lot better.

27 minutes ago, chimaera said:

I've uses Meyle parts in the past and I was not impressed with the quality. Febi, TRW or Lemforder are a lot better.

 

Good to know thanks. I'll see if I can source the other brands here.

On ‎5‎/‎17‎/‎2018 at 10:16, williamshatnerspants said:

An update.

 

The mechanic confirmed the front lower control arm rear mount bush is worn. This is the bush inside the silver alloy mount. These are typically replaced along with the corresponding front bush. The quote I got for the parts alone was steep, so I have sourced the complete replacement control arms (Meyle) which include the mounts, and bushes. These are cheaper than the individual parts, and means I can do the work myself (no press required).

 

 

 

Now I just need to find out if the mounting bolts need to be replaced and what their torque settings are. 

 

Matt

 

 

I'm currently looking at replacing these complete arms as well, Driver side looks pretty easy but I have noticed the passenger side mount looks like the front bushing bolt will be obstructed from coming all the way out the release the arm by part of the engine. Can anyone advise how this side is replaced as all the videos and instructions I have found only show replacing the driver side

13 hours ago, Dave1983 said:

I'm currently looking at replacing these complete arms as well, Driver side looks pretty easy but I have noticed the passenger side mount looks like the front bushing bolt will be obstructed from coming all the way out the release the arm by part of the engine. Can anyone advise how this side is replaced as all the videos and instructions I have found only show replacing the driver side

 

Sorry, I'm not much help as I haven't ordered mine yet, let alone replaced them. I did find the photos below, but can't see the part that obstructs removal.... can you point it out?

 

Matt

 

 

Why not just undo the 3 bolts that hold the rear bush/carrier assembly (black bit), pull it off the wishbone, then slide the new one on?

The bush that is highlighted, there is a metal pan in front of it and the gap looks way to close to be able to get the bolt out all the way to remove the whole arm.

 

 

Edited 28 June, 20188 yr by Dave1983