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Author Topic: How do i remove rear controll arm?  (Read 6372 times)

Offline K9

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How do i remove rear controll arm?
« on: March 30, 2015, 04:49:08 pm »
i need to change the inner bushings on both sides as one side is cracked :(
tried google but can't really find anything.

ideas and suggestions please  :happy2:

Offline GTI-Pirelli

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Re: How do i remove rear controll arm?
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2015, 05:28:09 pm »
Cut it off.

I did mine a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the bolts tend to seize into the inner collar of the bushes.

- Jack the car up (I put axle stands under both sides of the rear of the sub-frame where it bolts to the body)
- May need to remove the rear of the exhaust for better access
- Jack up the outside edge of the control arm (to take the tension of the spring)
- Remove the bolt attached the bottom of the hub assembly
- Lower the jack and remove the spring

- Remove the inner eccentric bolt (if it comes out, you are extremely lucky)
     - If it doesn't come out, then you have to cut the arm out of the sub-frame
     - I used a 230mm grinder - be extremely careful not to cut the sub-frame!

The bushes are part of the arm assembly as supplied by VW. Approx £75 each (both the same L & R)
Bolts + Nuts + washers were under £20 iirc.




 
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Offline K9

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Re: How do i remove rear controll arm?
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2015, 05:33:08 pm »
Cut it off.

I did mine a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the bolts tend to seize into the inner collar of the bushes.

- Jack the car up (I put axle stands under both sides of the rear of the sub-frame where it bolts to the body)
- May need to remove the rear of the exhaust for better access
- Jack up the outside edge of the control arm (to take the tension of the spring)
- Remove the bolt attached the bottom of the hub assembly
- Lower the jack and remove the spring

- Remove the inner eccentric bolt (if it comes out, you are extremely lucky)
     - If it doesn't come out, then you have to cut the arm out of the sub-frame
     - I used a 230mm grinder - be extremely careful not to cut the sub-frame!

The bushes are part of the arm assembly as supplied by VW. Approx £75 each (both the same L & R)
Bolts + Nuts + washers were under £20 iirc.


a auto part store here in Finland do sell the bushes for the arms without needing to buy the arm new.
so it's just like when i changed from stock to coilovers at the rear when removed the spring and damper? + i need to un-bolt the inner bolt to get the arm out?
@GTI-Pirelli

Offline GTI-Pirelli

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Re: How do i remove rear controll arm?
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2015, 06:10:33 pm »
a auto part store here in Finland do sell the bushes for the arms without needing to buy the arm new.
so it's just like when i changed from stock to coilovers at the rear when removed the spring and damper? + i need to un-bolt the inner bolt to get the arm out?
@GTI-Pirelli

The bush is mounted in the control arm. The bolt goes through the sub-frame, then through the bush.

If you can remove the bolt, then you should be able to get the bush out and replace it.
I saw the bushes on their own, but couldn't remove the bolts so chose to cut through the arm.
I needed my car so couldn't attempt to remove it and assess what I needed afterwards. I just went ahead and bought the new control arms.

You might be able to remove the bolts with heat. I think one of my bolts came out after I'd cut half way through it.
It is right behind the fuel tank though.
 
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Offline K9

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Re: How do i remove rear controll arm?
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2015, 06:17:44 pm »
just to confirm that it's just like when removing rear damper and spring?