99 Golf Mk4 rear axle bush: metal or plastic?

Ten Pin

There are two options:

Metal casing, hydro, diameter 69mm
http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=1443069&carid=8456


Plastic, diameter 72mm
http://www.micksgarage.com/proddetails.aspx?pid=1449620&carid=8456


From memory of doing this on a similar car before (Bora I think) the original was the metal 69mm but was replaced with a plastic 72mm and it was a pig of a job to put the new plastic one in. The metal version is probably easier to do but is possibly not as reliable? (from what I’ve read).

Is there any other version available? (I’ve heard of power flex bushes but no knowledge of them).

Is there an easier way of putting in the plastic version, maybe used a band clamp to compress it in stages as it goes in?

Thanks

Renegade Mechanic

The inner diameters are different too. One is 11mm, the other is 12.
I'd drop one side and measure the hole inside the bearing.

I snapped a bench vice putting one in ages ago, as there was no way to get the axle under a press and I had pulled threads on two bar/nut setups already..
Ended up simply going the scenic route of a large socket with handle welded on and beating it into the axle with a lump hammer.

Absolute pig indeed

Though if you've a mate in a VW garage, he might sneak you out the tool for doing it properly next time

George Dalton

The plastic bush is much easier to fit than the metal one.

You will need some kind of tool to fit it though. We just use a standard push/pull threaded bar type set to do them.

Ten Pin

OK found some M12 bar and various washers and other old metal bushes to go either end to press it in.

Is there enough "give" in the plastic bush that a band clamp would help ease it in as it progresses?