Polybushes, Coilovers, etc

[moltuae]

The garage tell me they're struggling with a few more parts and I'm having no luck finding any of them (in the country) either, new or used. I phoned A8 Parts but they have none in stock

It's a couple of diff support brackets we're looking for. Or, more specifically, the bushes that go in them.

So we either need brackets complete with bushes or just the bushes.

The bracket part numbers are:

4D0 599 285
4D0 599 133D

And I believe these are the part numbers for the bushes:

4D0 599 257C
4D0 599 257E
4D0 599 381E


Anyone got any or know where we might be able to get some urgently?

[moltuae]

I managed to find a used 4D0599133(D) bracket on Ebay (the only one in the country it seems), which was a relief because the bolt was seized into the old one I'm told, making it impossible to re-use. I'm not entirely sure it's exactly the same part (possible a different suffix letter) but it was cheap and I figured we might be able to use the bush even if the bracket turns out to be the wrong shape.

The bushes on the other bracket (4D0599285) are a bit knackered I think but probably still usable so it shouldn't stop the garage from putting the car back together.


After I gave up looking for the brackets I started looking for bush manufacturers/suppliers and found this place, which is fairly local to me (about 20miles away):
https://www.fibet.co.uk/

So I emailed them this afternoon about supplying one-off bushes for vehicle suspension parts and, to my surprise, their initial reply is favourable, stating that they "don’t have a minimum order quantity just a carriage charge of £11 + VAT for order values below £150". I'm planning to contact them again tomorrow to see if I can maybe arrange to call in with the parts.


Edited to add:

I wonder if any D3 parts would fit the D2 ...

The 4D0599285 bracket, for example, seems to have a D3 counterpart that's just one letter different (4E0599285). And, physically, the D3 part appears to be quite similar, with holes in all the right places (see attached images).

[moltuae]

Fibet are very helpful and quick to respond.

I've had a reply from them this morning stating:

... the Bushes you have are bespoke for your particular application.

They have voids within the Rubber – which provides a different characteristic in each direction.

Therefore – if you inserted one of our standard Bushes (aka without voids), you would totally change the characteristics of your application and this may result in damage or control issues during use.

My thoughts are that these particular bushes, being part of the diff support bracket, are more elaborately designed than they need to be. I would imagine their only role is to dampen vibrations (ie small lateral movements only).

Any thoughts?

[MikkiJayne]

Well since a common upgrade on lesser models is solid polyurethane personally I would not be concerned about 'damage or control issues during use'. High-power S4s (600+hp) can snap the rear diff mount with poly, but that's from repeated hard launches. Never going to happen with a stock V8 and 5hp24. You will get more drivetrain noise and vibration transmitted in to the cabin with solid rubber, but with the benefit of better drivetrain stability. Will you notice either on just the rear diff on an otherwise stock car? Doubtful. They'd be pretty useful for my biturbo project though

[moltuae]

Thanks MJ.

Springs turned up this morning by the way. Thanks again for those!


I've told Fibet I'm willing to take the risk with the bushes, so I may go down that route yet since they are still happy to supply them.

The used front bracket I ordered (4D0599133) turned up today and it's in pretty good condition so we can use that. It's actually a 4D0599133C rather than a 4D0599133D but it seems identical to the original.

I also ordered a used D3 bracket (4E0599285) today from A8 Parts just to compare. If it fits, we may use that instead and/or order new bushes for it which do seem to be available (4B3599257).

[tc4332]

Nice work Mark.
Shame you might have to compromise and put a D3 part on your D2

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by tc4332

Nice work Mark.
Shame you might have to compromise and put a D3 part on your D2

I know

What with D3 brackets and D3 chrome boot struts, I'm going to have to call it a D2.1!

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Originally Posted by moltuae

I know

What with D3 brackets and D3 chrome boot struts, I'm going to have to call it a D2.1!

Or a FL FL!

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by Conan_the_Librarian

Or a FL FL!

Or FEFLFL

Although a FAFFL might be more appropriate, especially when it comes to finding parts!



Speaking of which .... we need a rear wheel bearing/hub now I'm told.

And ... you guessed it ... TPS say NLA

We've got the right the bearing (I think) and according to this the hub is #27, part number 4D0407613B

Which appears to be equivalent to a VAICO Wheel Hub V103004:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAICO-Whe...4/362479428950

Or a Meyle 100 650 0012
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/meyle/513047

And (I think) this might be the same part listed by GSF too:
https://www.gsfcarparts.com/415vg0100

Does that look right?

Trying to get one urgently for tomorrow so that they can get the car back together.

I think this might be the last problem part now .... hopefully!

[moltuae]

Just been back to the garage this afternoon to drop some parts in and visit the patient.

I took the D3 diff support bracket (4E0599285) with me and can now confirm that it's a straight swap

I wonder how many more NLA D2 parts can be replaced with parts from the D3 and other VAG models. We need to start a parts cross-reference!