Toe adjustment seized, Passat B6 rear wheels

[MHDxMK5BK]

I've just had 4 new tyres fitted and had suffered from the worn inside edge of the rear tyres, this seems to have been covered to death elsewhere.

However while getting a 4 wheel alignment done the chap couldn't get the bolt undone (the pivot for the arm to the rear wheel). The nut cracked off ok but the rubber cam which does the adjustment wouldn't budge. He said it had to be cut out and was a cow of a job to replace. He used as much force as he dare then left it.

Any idea how to get this adjusting bolt moving again? As it's rubber he said heat wouldn't be a good idea, there was an oxyacetylene kit there so they had it to hand.

[DMitch16]

The rear suspension bolts are a total PITA. They react with the bush sleeves and corrode solid. The older concentric washers opposing the concentric bolts were metal not rubber. On the saloon there are 4 of these sets 2 camber and 2 toe. Toe is set using the inner wishbone bush bolts which are concentric and have concentric washers. Camber is set using the upper inner control arm bush bolts which are concentric and have concentric washers. If any bush is overly worn or has excessive play they should be renewed otherwise you'll never get your tracking set correctly. I had to cut the inner wishbone bushes off to remove the wishbone (outer bushes and bolts were fine) then drift the rest of it out and to save pressing new ones in bought split Powerflex instead which were dead easy to install in the cleaned up bush holes of the wishbones.

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Here's the old inner bushes.

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Coated the new bolt shafts in Copper Ease (other antiseize products are available) to prevent future corrosion.

[MHDxMK5BK]

Just realised I didn't respond, thanks for this.

The rear sags a bit on the drivers side and a bump stop has gone as well. I do wonder whether to just get a new set of arms, springs, shocks, bump stops.

Any idea what that lot would cost?

[Crasher]

We nearly always have to cut the bolts out with an air hacksaw and you MUST fit new bolts anyway plus we also usually fit Powerflex inner bushes which are strong enough to cope with the loads here. VW Passat Mk6 3C (2006-) Powerflex Rear Lower Spring Mounts Inner PFR85-510 | eBay

One that did undo



New standard bush



Usually a PQ35/PQ46 soggy bottom needs this job



If you fit new aftermarket OE void style inner bushes, they must be clocked

[DMitch16]

Just realised I didn't respond, thanks for this.

The rear sags a bit on the drivers side and a bump stop has gone as well. I do wonder whether to just get a new set of arms, springs, shocks, bump stops.

Any idea what that lot would cost?

You can get rear shocks for between £30 and £50 each, springs for the same (my Sachs Sport springs were £45 each). Control arms for around £20 to £30 each. Wishbones come in between £40 and £60 complete with inner bushes, £10 for a pair of OE outer bushes, £12 for a full rear bump stop and gator kit. Factor in another £35 for original VW bolts and washers. Prices and quality vary as does the job time. Rears are easier to do than fronts but bolt seizures will add time and frustration. I took off the wishbones after cutting the inner OE bush bolts off and pressed the OE outers off. PowerFlex inners were £30 for the pair (black) and much, much better. If you're doing the work yourself shop around as good parts are abundant. Check reviews / feedback on auction sites if you are not using mainstream reputable suppliers.

[russhowe]

Is this the bush right behind the rear jacking point on the car?

[DMitch16]

Is this the bush right behind the rear jacking point on the car?

No that one is the trailing arm bush and non adjustable - if replacing however you do have to set it at the correct angle relative to the cup and arm to avoid any excess rotational load which will significantly reduce the bush life when it's bolted up. It needs a neutral position when the car is sitting back on the ground otherwise it would be constantly under tension and even more so when the suspension either rises or falls.

[Crasher]

These self align and don’t bind

VW Golf Mk5 1K 03-09 Powerflex Rear Tie Bar Bushes PFR85-508 7625746223426 | eBay