This doesn't sound like a stock bushing.  The Bilstein replacements I
got from the Bus Depot have a 1/2" rubber core bonded to the inner and
outer sleeves, same as the original. Nothing spins free, and that is the
way all rubber suspension bushings I have ever seen are
constructed--dry!  What did you get for the replacements?  I wouldn't
use anything but the Bilsteins.

> BRENT CHRISTENSEN wrote:
>
> Anyone know what kind of grease this is and if there is a way to force
> more of it in there?
>
> I'm getting ready to install new ones this weekend, and I sure would
> love to be able to put in some "extra" lubricant...
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy
> Santa Barbara, CA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harald_nancy [mailto:harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET]
> Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 7:42 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: upper control arm
>
> Cross section of upper control arm bushing:
> I was asking before if anyone ever cut one in half. I guess not.
> Took the right ctrl arm to the shop today and had 2 new bushings
> pressed in and spot welded. Cost me a hundred bucks.
> Took the old ones (2 yrs, 25,000 miles) home and sliced one with
> a hack saw in half.
> It looks like this:
> The inner shaft has about 1/8" thick rubber bonded to it.
> The outer housing has a nylon liner (about 1/16").
> The liner has grooves that fit into the outside housing grooves,
> so the liner itself does not turn.
> The rubber on the inner shaft is NOT bonded to the outside housing.
> There is a thin layer of grease between the rubber and the outside
> nylon
> liner.
> The inside shaft can rotate freely.
> Bushing looks like it's in perfect shape.
> But I'm pretty sure it was squeaking anyway.
> At this point, I assume that one of them was defective, perhaps not
> enough rubber grease. And that's possibly why it was squeaking.
> Tomorrow I'll install the upper swing arm with the new bushings.
> I agree new springs might help, but I'm not ready for that yet.
> I also suspect the upper rubber spring seat. Anyone try that?
>
> The local vw mechanic was wrong when he told me the rubber is
> bonded to the inside and outside part of the bushing.
> I was suspicious, because it doesn't mention in the Bentley
> anywhere that the van has to rest on its wheels when tightening
> the upper ctrl arm nut.
> Harald Rust
> '90 westy

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext. 8208

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