Hmmm.... interesting. I got the bushings from my local
vw parts (non-dealer) specialist shop.
The bushings do look the same as the originals did,
but back then I didn't have a chance to compare the part
numbers with the replacement parts.
It says on the outside plastic ring:
 "elastmetall" 202346 LME Germany 251407077

Actually, if you think about it, the rubber inside isn't
thick enough to flex through such a wide range,
like maybe a 1/2 turn of the inner shaft.
If it was bonded on both sides, just jacking up your car
could make it rip.
To be 100% sure what it looks like inside, you probably
have to cut one in half or find more info from the manufacturer.
Harald
'90 westy

----------
> From: Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: upper control arm
> Date: Friday, March 10, 2000 10:21 AM
>
> 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.
> >
> > -----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