Front and rear bush recommendations

[Stefan]

Mates

I've been struggling to get the alignment consistent on my van. T6 lowered with adjustable VMaxx suspension.

The front lower arm bushes - specifically rear bushes (that's rear bushes on the front TCAs) seem to have voids anyway, but are split at the ends of the voids.

View attachment 42005

There's clearly a lot more lateral movement on the TCA than there should be. The van is a T28, not particularly harsh setup, only done 10K miles. I'm surprised these bushes have failed already.

I'm going to replace these with Powerflex poly bushes. Just seen that they make adjustable ones, allowing me to bring the camber back more to stock.

I've searched the forum - nothing. Has anyone been here before ?

I had the same issue with my brand new van (T28 Highline PV DSG 140) and only 2000 miles done. Was pulling to the left so went back to VW to sort it out.. as they didn't do the alignment themselves (Colindale Branch) they took it down the road to some garage. When I picked it up it wasn't pulling to the left but the steering wheel was off centre when driving in straight line, went back and had the manager test drive it.. he said he cannot notice anything wrong and that I should drive it more and and see maybe I'm wrong.. so I left and went to a garage in ealing which had a hunter machine and asked them to do the alignment for me.
Mechanic got in the van and as he drove it to the ramp he was braking hard/sudden and telling me the front rear bushes are worn and the van shouldn't bounce so much when braking.. I laughed even though he showed me the bushes and they indeed had movement in them (at the time didn't think it should have movement in them) so I told him that the van is brand new ( it had my private 08 plate on) and cannot believe this and got in the van and drove away.

48K miles later before a 3000 miles roundtrip I decided to do the alignment and this time I choose Blackboots in Chesham as heard good things about them. While they done the alignment I've been told the same thing about the bushes and because they are worn as soon as I drive out of their garage and with first pothole it'll go back to square one. They indeed straighten the steering wheel this time.

Van was driving fine and felt ok until I reached 65K miles and It started knocking when driving over potholes or speed bumps.. and after the recent MOT the guy telling me the same thing about the bushes (3rd person so far ) I decided to have them changed and while doing so upgrading the Arbs to H&R ones. Took it to JPL automotive and sorted it in couple of hours.

The following day went to Blackboots in Chesham for the alignment even though it didn't need it as I found out the hard way.. the tracking was spot on!!

So what pisses me off is after all the servicing done at VW in Colindale they couldn't notice the bushes being worn or they avoided it as being in warranty they didn't want to change them for free..?!

 

[NedUK]

I’ve just taken my 2018 30k T6 into be tracked and got told the same.

What’s the recommendation?

poly bushes?

 

[Stefan]

I’ve just taken my 2018 30k T6 into be tracked and got told the same.

What’s the recommendation?

poly bushes?

I went with poly bushes as only heard good things about it. Upgraded to H&R arbs as well while was on the ramp )

 

[Thegee6]

Not even the guys in LDT use adjustable front poly bushes....no need. My old van was on air and I never needed them.

 

[CRS Performance]

So... this lot arrived today.


View attachment 42535 View attachment 42536 View attachment 42537

Apart from the cat. She's been here years.

Very nicely machined and finished. Special little C spanner for rotating the bushes. Looks like I could dial in about 3 degrees difference with these ! £100 each pair though...

Something for me to do over the weekend apart from everything else. I should be able to get the camber very close with a digital level in the garage...

According to Powerflex techies its just short of one Degree adjustment available .

 

[NedUK]

Just reading through this and having the same issue myself with poor rear bushes.

What do you all recommend to replace with, don’t see the point in getting VW to do it if its going to happen again.

Any links would be appreciated

Cheers

 

[Thegee6]

If your low then adjustable rear poly bushes are a must. If it’s on the front then just the standard powerflex poly bushes.

But regardless of whether low or not, poly bushes are much better for durability and longevity

 

[NedUK]

It’s only lowered 35mm

Unsure as to adjustable seen advice on here they are not needed

 

[Thegee6]

It’s only lowered 35mm

Unsure as to adjustable seen advice on here they are not needed

standard poly bushes are fine then

 

[minicharli]

The guy who fitted my wheels yesterday said Vw vans are notorious for this issue. He recommended SuperPro polys from Australia for front and back. Anyone heard of them ?

 

[Bryn23]

The guy who fitted my wheels yesterday said Vw vans are notorious for this issue. He recommended SuperPro polys from Australia for front and back. Anyone heard of them ?

yeah they quite well known here, one of the best around for bushes.

I’ve been meaning to look at their range for my van.

 

[VanDamMan]

The guy who fitted my wheels yesterday said Vw vans are notorious for this issue. He recommended SuperPro polys from Australia for front and back. Anyone heard of them ?

Hi ..just Googled ...Superpro polys and a Uk web page comes up ...Looks good ....don’t need them yet but something for the future

 

[CRS Performance]

Hi ..just Googled ...Superpro polys and a Uk web page comes up ...Looks good ....don’t need them yet but something for the future

I found the Superpro bushes to be good quality but a bit harder than the Powerflex

 

[minicharli]

At least some people have heard of them and they seem to be decent. So just waiting for the call to book it in and spend more money that I didn’t know I needed to

 

[CRS Performance]

At least some people have heard of them and they seem to be decent. So just waiting for the call to book it in and spend more money that I didn’t know I needed to

Super pro is bigger than Powerflex and they are massive in the OFF road industry , in countries like NZ Australia and S A . They wanted us to be the importer in SA but i already import Powerflex and didnt want to upset them . Super Pro have a much bigger range in the off road parts

 

[Ambrose]

So, it appears that the rear bushes on the front wishbone is knackered as it's knocking. I've just been told by 2 different garages that the bushes can't be replaced for my 2017 T6 T28, and the entire wishbone needs to be replaced instead. I have agreed to have this done as I need the van ready for our summer trips coming up. But is this really the case that the whole wishbone has to be replaced?
But if so, then why are the bushes like this available to buy? https://www.powerflexsuspensionbush...02g-for-vw-t6-transporter-2015----94257-p.asp

 

[T6180]

So, it appears that the rear bushes on the front wishbone is knackered as it's knocking. I've just been told by 2 different garages that the bushes can't be replaced for my 2017 T6 T28, and the entire wishbone needs to be replaced instead. I have agreed to have this done as I need the van ready for our summer trips coming up. But is this really the case that the whole wishbone has to be replaced?
But if so, then why are the bushes like this available to buy? Powerflex Front Arm Rear Bush, Caster Adj. PFF85-1302G for VW T6 Transporter (2015 - )

you can replace them with poly bushes, speak to @BognorMotors he'll guide you in the right direction

 

[Ambrose]

you can replace them with poly bushes, speak to @BognorMotors he'll guide you in the right direction

Thanks for the tip but I live too far from Bognor Motors and I am not confident in carrying out the changes myself, my usual mechanic friend is currently on holiday too.
I am just really surprised that the whole wishbone needs to be replaced more than anything!

 

[T6180]

Thanks for the tip but I live too far from Bognor Motors and I am not confident in carrying out the changes myself, my usual mechanic friend is currently on holiday too.
I am just really surprised that the whole wishbone needs to be replaced more than anything!

Oli @BognorMotors will be able to advise if the entire wishbone needs replacing. You can get normal replacement poly bushes or the adjustable ones. if your lowered I'd suggest the adjustable so the rear camber can be adjusted correctly saving you any tyre wear

 

[DXX]

So, it appears that the rear bushes on the front wishbone is knackered as it's knocking. I've just been told by 2 different garages that the bushes can't be replaced for my 2017 T6 T28, and the entire wishbone needs to be replaced instead. I have agreed to have this done as I need the van ready for our summer trips coming up. But is this really the case that the whole wishbone has to be replaced?
But if so, then why are the bushes like this available to buy? Powerflex Front Arm Rear Bush, Caster Adj. PFF85-1302G for VW T6 Transporter (2015 - )