Axle beam bushes: common defects and their signs

1. Wear-out
   • Car handling worsens, it responses to steering wheel turning with delay.
   • At component visual inspection you can see cracks, tears, rubber delamination, corrosion of a metal part.
   • Wheel alignment angles are violated.
   • Tyres on different wheels wear out unevenly.
   • The car randomly changes its moving trajectory at high speed.
2. Mechanical damages
   • Knocks, screeching are heard in the car’s rear part during driving on roads with poor-quality surface.
   • Vehicle stability at corner entering is worsened.
   • At component visual inspection you can notice its deformation or excessive free play.
   • The car pulls to one side at high speed driving.
   • The vehicle responds to steering commands with delay.

How to replace axle beam bushes?

You should not try to repair these components. They are to be replaced in case of breakdown. Scheduled replacement should be performed every 100 000 – 150 000 operational kilometers, but service life can be reduced if the driver has aggressive driving style or the vehicle is often used in bad road conditions.

In order to replace rear axle beam bushes on a car you should visit a service station. DIY component replacement is usually impossible because it is a laborious process which requires a special tool to demount bushes and press them in. Moreover, after work is finished, wheel alignment has to be adjusted, which can be done at a service station only. You should take into account that in case of breakdown of one car part it is recommended to perform component replacement on both sides.

A service station specialist will set the car onto a lifting platform or inspection pit, demount the needed wheel, then he will separate the rear beam from the car body, and demount the broken bush with a special remover. After cleaning of the mounting seat he will press a new component in and then perform unit assembling.