Car axle bushes

How to identify faulty axle beam bushes

To determine the degree of components wear, first carefully inspect the rear wheels of the car. If you notice wheels misalignment, if the latter was OK before, it may indicate that the bush has failed.

More thorough diagnostics requires mounting the vehicle on an inspection pit, removing the bushes and inspecting them, after cleaning them from dirt. If cracks, tears, delamination or other damages are present on the rubber component, it is the evidence that the bush is faulty and should be replaced.

You may notice that axle beam bushes need diagnostics by the following criteria:

• Appearance of creaking and knocking sound in the suspension when driving on roads with poor quality surface;
• Deteriorated steerability of the vehicle, delayed reaction to steering, instability when entering turns;
• Uneven tires wear.

The reasons of axle beam bushes malfunctions

One of the reasons why components may need replacement is the end of their service life. Axle beam bushes are quite reliable components, their service life is up to 100,000 km of mileage. However, aggressive driving and use of the vehicle on roads with poor quality surface significantly reduces the service life of the component.

The quality of the installed component plays an important role. If its rubber part is made of unsuitable material, it will deteriorate much faster, and the component will require replacement.

Replacing axle beam bushes

The process of replacing components is quite time-consuming; besides, it requires a special remover tool, so it is better to entrust it to professionals at a service station. However, with certain skills and equipment, replacement can be made independently. The algorithm of replacing rear axle beam bushes may be as follows:

1. Mount your vehicle on a service ramp or pit, ensure its immobility.
2. To facilitate the work, lift the rear of the vehicle with a jack, and remove rear wheels. If you have access to a car lift, a jack will not be required.
3. Disconnect the brake regulator rod (on the left) from the rear beam. To do this, remove the fastening clip, then move aside the parking brake cable (on the right).
4. Using a spanner, unscrew the nut of the bolt that connects the rear beam and the bracket.
5. Lift the rear of the car with a jack, then move down the eyelet of the beam.
6. Insert a previously prepared wooden block between the beam and the car body, so that the beam would be below the eyelet, and then press out the bush, using a special remover tool.
7. Clean the location of component installation from dust, dirt, traces of corrosion, lubricate it with a special lubricant or soap solution, and press in a new bush, using a remover tool. Do not use a grease lubricant or motor oil, since these substances will destroy the structure of the rubber part of the bush over time.
8. Assemble the components in reverse order. Tighten the bolts of new bushes until snug only after the car is off the jack.
9. Have wheels aligned.

It is recommended to always replace bushes in pairs, since during the operation the components are exposed to equal loads. In addition, it should be kept in mind that the algorithm for the front beam is different from that for the rear beam. The nuances of the bush replacement procedure also depend on the vehicle model, therefore be sure to read the technical documentation for your vehicle before your start the work.