expert help required Rear suspension bang!

[adamss24]

A used b5 beam from a vw saloon or estate will fit as well, as they are the same car underneath. You should be able to find one in local scrapyards... Unbolting takes about 1/2 hours !

[Peter D]

There is no way you hit something and did so much damage without bursting the tyre and smashing the rim. To get the stub axle to move back 2 cm is a huge problem. Are you sure the beam mounting bracket is not ripping out of the floor. Regards Peter

[shabazmo]

Peter, I agree with you on your first sentence. I will be dismantling the beam acle this weekend and will be replacing it with a new one. Once fully dismantled, I will be able to examine all parts. I am sure that the floor and bracket is ok, as I loosened the 3 bolts last weekend and moved the bracket a few mm. I assume that this is allowed in the design. There is no play on any of the 3 bolts where it fixes to the floor. Many thanks for e.mailing the drawings.

[shabazmo]

This post is now complete. I decided to purchase a new beam axle for £470, 2 axle bushes, one from GSF patern for £32. and one original for £47. Don't bother with the pattern one beacause its a different shape to te original part and you will have to spend more time getting the alignment sorted. One axe bearing for £75 from Audi. I didn't need the 2 bushes as the originals looked as good as new, but replaced them anyway, and I think my bearing would have been ok, but replaced it. The job was fairly easy. Took about 5 hours. Interestingly, it is possible adjust the toe or direction of the rear wheels by slackening the 3 bolts on the bush braket and moving the axle assembly. I knew my positioning was accurate when the stering wheel pointed straight ahead when driving. My conclusion is open verdict. The old beam appeard to have been bent at the point where the flange that the bearing mounts on is welded to the axle. How it happened in still a mystery.
Many thanks to Peter for his help

[Peter D]

Glad it's sorted. That damage sounds like a very hard sideways impact with a kerb but the alloy would have shown signs of damage. Regards Peter