Mk1 Jetta Control Arm Bushing Choices

[homerj1]

Installed poly bushings on my 84 Jetta mk1  lower control arms. Have about 3000 kms on them

Great on a smooth highway, but rough as hell on the crappy roads on my daily drives around town.

Beyond poly, are there any other options? Like a upgraded hardish rubber GTI bushing? That would still be a bit stiffer, yet not as harsh?

Or is back to just OEMish rubber bushings?

[homerj1]

Installed poly bushings on my 84 Jetta mk1  lower control arms. Have about 3000 kms on them

Great on a smooth highway, but rough as hell on the crappy roads on my daily drive to work and back - mostly city.

Beyond poly, are there any other options? Like a upgraded hardish rubber GTI bushing? That would still be a bit stiffer, yet not as harsh?

Or is back to just OEMish rubber bushings?

[CRSMP5]

control arms cracking yet?? better watch them... it ugly when it rips the tootsi roll section of control arm off... took me under 2 years...

stock rubber only way to go..

[Blocksmith]

Reinforcement around the bushing carrier wouldn't take care of that little problem? I just put poly in mine, so your warning is worrisome 

[8v-of-fury]

Reinforcement around the bushing carrier wouldn't take care of that little problem? I just put poly in mine, so your warning is worrisome 

Don't see why strengthening it wouldn't cause the problem to be a non issue.

[CRSMP5]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?6129698-Has-anyone-had-this-problem

someone on poor tex that has no idea of isue.. see how arm cracked?? those welds right there on the piece that holds the tootsi roll bushing...

no way to reinforce it.. put rubber in...

[mystery3]

I think any worry about the poly bushes is unfounded. That guy from vortex obviously drives his lowered car on logging roads, look at the rest of his suspension. People have probably put tens of millions of miles on MKI's with poly cab's and I've never heard anyone have issues with cracking arms.

[CRSMP5]

go ahead pootexter.. if i my self did not have 2 do it.. id say sure.... bt my rubber bound version ive had in used 20 years.. no cracks....

the only time ive ever done poly thing.. 13 or so mo.. head on into oncommin traffic whjen 1st broke... by 9 mo later you could see the cracks on the other side in same place... that arm was new.. vs the one that left brown stripes in my shorts...

that guy #3...

so you say what you want.. i say.. better look at them arms every few mo... else it can kill ya...

im just warning ya....

my 84 coupe has same arms/ball joints i pieced my 82 together with in 93... so yes 20 years... and im bout to put it back on the road as they still feel good...

[monomer]

Poly's upfront? fine. Even better with the 16v "K" tie bar (everyone should have one)

Poly rears? Nope, you'll oval out the mounts and it'll ALWAYS squeak.


If the arms show any signs of wear/abuse, replace them. Honestly, they're pretty cheap. Not worth risking.

[CRSMP5]

<--- broke febi-bilstine new one..... so i still say no to poly up front..

[homerj1]

Poly's upfront? fine. Even better with the 16v "K" tie bar (everyone should have one)

Poly rears? Nope, you'll oval out the mounts and it'll ALWAYS squeak.


If the arms show any signs of wear/abuse, replace them. Honestly, they're pretty cheap. Not worth risking.

I find my rear polys are great - no noise at all and ride isn't too bad. The front bushings are just to rough and noisy for city driving.

One of the local vdubbers was suggesting a heavier rubber audi bushing might fit my mk1.

Anyone have experience with this?