Re: Bushings (BBMW)
quote:[HR][/HR]When everyone here does a suspension upgrade, it's usually some combination of springs, anti-roll bars, and shocks. One of the things they did with the 25th Aniv Edition GTI is to use stiffer bushings in the rear suspension (I'm not exactly sure where). Apparently this has the effect of controlling camber changes in the rear wheels under cornering, and, therefore preventing understeer
Has anyone here done this themselves? Does anyone sell the necessary parts?[HR][/HR]
I've got the parts in my garage.
Here's what I know -- the 25Y GTI (along with all German-made Golfs) use solid rubber bushings at the rear axle beam mounting point. All Brazillian Golfs (mid 200MY on) use oil dampened bushings.
Replacing the oil-filled ones will give more neutrality to the rear, as more of the load shift will be transfered to the axle/twist beam and swaybar, and will help keep these forces from translating to body roll.
At least thats how I understand it
We'll see if it materializes this way in my car.
Although (not confirmed) I believe the 25Y GTI might also use a rear axle beam containing the 23.5mm sway bar. If true, this may account for the much improved handling, along with the rest of the suspension upgrades.
For this reason, I've decided to try to recreating the 25Y GTIs rear suspension by using Eibach/VW springs, and these minor upgrades to the rear end. Of course, my goal is a mild upgrade to the awful performance of the rear end -- and not to make this thing an autotrack car.
Those interested in high performance will most likely contest that these issues are corrected by doing more major work to the suspension as a whole, and therefore these minor modifications wouldn't be worth their time.
