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Subject:Re: torsion rod bushings vs. upper control arm bushings
From:Shawn Wright
Date:Tue, 22 Jun 2004 13:28:35 -0700

On 22 Jun 2004 at 12:18, Jeff Palmer <icecoldvw@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Same thing for me - only knocking on the passenger side.  No squeaking as
> far as I can tell.  I've never replaced these parts in the 11 years I've
> owned my 85, so I assume they're stock.
>
> No has mentioned though what exactly torsion rod bushings are and the
> archives haven't heard of the term.  Are they in fact the same as UCABs?
> (sorry I wrote torsion rod bearings in the first subject).  I need two lower and
> two upper apparently.

I missed your original post, but just went back and read it. The # you gave is in fact the
UCABs (251 407 077). You need two for each side.

251 407 183 is the lower control arm bushing, one per side.
Then there are two bushings, one on either side of the radius rod mounting, they are
251 407 175 & 251 407 179, one of each per side. These are unlikely to cause knocks I
would think.

He could be talking about the sway bar link bushings ("stabilizer bar" in EKTA). These
are 251 411 045. I replaced these in the quest for solving the knocking, and noticed no
difference. They are a PITA to get over the sway bar ends.
Then there are the sway bar mounting bushings, 251 411 041, which I also replaced,
again no difference.

The key to my knocking was the shock "damping ring" (according to EKTA) #701 513
121. These were the ones I had replaced with those supplied with the KYB shocks.
Going back to old stock parts finally fixed the knocks. It could be that your stock ones
are worn to the point of being as effective as the KYB ones ;-)

Hope this helps... I know how annoying this can be - it took me years to get rid of the
noises!
--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
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