Subframe bushes

[andydunn2]

I'm getting some tram lining and squirming under braking and I'm wondering if the front subframe bushes are shot? I am also getting noises (slight knocking, grumbling etc) during low speed steering but not sure if its connected or not.

It isn't wishbones, top mounts, track rod ends, ball joints, drop links or anti roll bar bushes as they are all new.

Am I going down the right track or am I way off?

This is on my 98 2.8 cabby by the way.

Thanks in advance
Andy

[Error404]

My first reaction would be topmounts, but you say they are new?
FWIW I tend to kill a set every 500-800 miles so "new" to me means feck all
Then again my car is hardly standard.
If the subframe bushes are old and the rubber is perished, it certainly won't help and you should change them.

What about the rear end? That can have just as big an effect as the front in terms of feel & handling.

[andydunn2]

Originally Posted by Error404

My first reaction would be topmounts, but you say they are new?
FWIW I tend to kill a set every 500-800 miles so "new" to me means feck all
Then again my car is hardly standard.
If the subframe bushes are old and the rubber is perished, it certainly won't help and you should change them.

What about the rear end? That can have just as big an effect as the front in terms of feel & handling.

Yes topmounts are new HD's with probably only about 200 miles on them and the car is stock 174bhp so unlikely to have deteriorated already... I hope. I did the subframe bushes a visual check when I did the rest of the work and they didn't 'look' that bad but that doesn't mean they are not goosed.

I haven't changed the rear bushes but when I checked prior to its MOT about 3 weeks ago there was no movement in them.

Mmmm..... Need to check again me thinks...

Thanks for the input...

Cheers
Andy ..

[Error404]

New stuff eslsewhere will always highlight any weak items so might be worth changing them anyway. You'll probably find it makes a big difference. Prepare to wince when you get the prices for the OEM bushes. I'd go with Superflex poly

[andydunn2]

Originally Posted by Error404

New stuff eslsewhere will always highlight any weak items so might be worth changing them anyway. You'll probably find it makes a big difference. Prepare to wince when you get the prices for the OEM bushes. I'd go with Superflex poly

Yeah you are definitely right on that, how firm do the poly bushes make the ride? I'm conscious that if I go to firm on the bushes that it's going to show. Up the scuttle shake even more?

Got your post on S2 many thanks and your right from an engineering standpoint the torque values make no sense unless there is a concern that the bushes will get crushed?

[Error404]

Two parallel threads here
No way the bush sleeve will be crushed at that torque, god knows why they would have spec'd that... I actually think it was a mistake in the manual.

anyway, unlike solid mounts, Superflex poly subframe bushes don't make the ride any harsher than stock in my experience. OEM quality rubber wishbone bushes & poly subframe is the best compromise for comfort if you also want tight handling.

[jamiecoysh]

does anyone know where I can buy poly sub frame bushes for a B3 audi 80 2.0e sport one of mine looks like its on its way according to the garage so maybe time to change soon. also is it worth changing the rear axle bushes ( mine is 2wd ) as ive already found them on ebay. Ive recently changed the wishbone bushes for poly and it is a million times better than stock ones

cheers

[andydunn2]

Originally Posted by Error404

Two parallel threads here
No way the bush sleeve will be crushed at that torque, god knows why they would have spec'd that... I actually think it was a mistake in the manual.

anyway, unlike solid mounts, Superflex poly subframe bushes don't make the ride any harsher than stock in my experience. OEM quality rubber wishbone bushes & poly subframe is the best compromise for comfort if you also want tight handling.

Yeah, didn't quite expect to get a response on both threads..

It does sound like a mistake and IIRC the wishbone bolts are 17mm head and the subframe ones are 18mm, which seems odd to put the higher torque through the smaller stud.

Good news on the poly bushes though as I don't want this one to be to harsh, the power output doesn't justify it. I will leave that for the Quattro cabby..

[Error404]

The bolts are the same p/n. M10 10.9s

[andydunn2]

Originally Posted by Error404

The bolts are the same p/n. M10 10.9s

Interesting as indefinitely have 17mm head on the wishbones and 18mm on the subframes...