Axle Bushes with Fitting Position Front and Rear, Rear Axle for HSV COMMODORE VN GROUP A

Nolathane axle bushes replace the worn pivot bushes that locate an axle to your VN GROUP A COMMODORE. On many front-wheel-drive cars, the rear torsion beam axle hangs on just two bushes, so every cornering and braking load at the back of the car passes through them. Larger vehicles with beam-type front axles and older vehicles with a solid rear axle rely on axle pivot bushes in the same way. When those bushes wear, the axle moves, and the vehicle starts to feel loose, noisy and unpredictable at the rear.

Polyurethane axle bushes restore firm axle location, keep the rear wheels pointing where they should, and resist the oil, heat and road grime that break down factory rubber. They?re a practical repair and upgrade for passenger cars, small SUVs, classic vehicles and commercial trucks.

The Role of Axle Bushes on the VN GROUP A COMMODORE

An axle bush is the flexible pivot between an axle assembly and the body, chassis or subframe. It lets the axle move up and down with the road while resisting forces from other directions: fore and aft under braking and acceleration, and sideways through corners.

The bush also controls how much the axle can twist or shift under load. A bush in good condition keeps rear toe and thrust angle close to their designed settings, so the rear wheels track straight behind the front. A worn bush lets the axle steer slightly as loads change, which is felt as instability and seen as uneven tyre wear.

Axle Types That Use Pivot Bushes

Rear Torsion Beam Axles

Also called twist-beam or rear beam axles, torsion beam suspension is common on compact and small to mid-size front-wheel-drive cars and small SUVs. A cross beam joins two trailing arms, and the whole assembly pivots on a bush at the front of each arm. Because there are only two pivot points, these bushes carry very high loads and have a large effect on how the rear of the car feels.

Beam-Type Front Axles

Some full-size trucks and commercial vehicles use beam-type front axles that pivot on inner bushes near the centre of the vehicle. These bushes carry braking and steering loads, so wear shows up as wandering steering and changing alignment.

Solid Rear Axles With Trailing Arms

On vehicles with a live rear axle, the bushes at the front of the lower trailing arms locate the axle fore and aft. Wear here causes rear-end shuffle, axle tramp and a vague feel under acceleration.

Why Axle Bushes Wear Out

Axle bushes deteriorate gradually rather than failing suddenly, which is why they?re often overlooked. Common causes include:

• Constant cornering and braking loads concentrated through a small number of pivots
• Age and heat cycling, which harden rubber until it cracks
• Oil, fuel and coolant leaks that soften and swell rubber
• Water, road salt and grime around the mounts
• Potholes, kerb strikes and rough roads that shock-load the bushes
• Lowered ride heights that make the bushes work at a different angle

Signs of Worn VN GROUP A COMMODORE Axle Bushes

• Clunking or knocking from the rear over bumps, driveways or speed humps
• A rear end that feels like it steers itself or squirms through corners
• Instability under hard braking or during lane changes
• Uneven or accelerated rear tyre wear
• Increased road noise or vibration from the back of the car
• A rear alignment or thrust angle that won?t stay in specification
• Cracked, split or separated rubber visible at the axle pivot mounts

On a front-wheel-drive car, a sloppy rear end is often blamed on the shock absorbers or tyres before the beam axle bushes are checked. Levering gently between the axle and its mount with the vehicle supported is a quick way to spot play.

Risks of Ignoring Worn Axle Bushes

Worn axle bushes let the axle move under braking and cornering, which changes rear wheel alignment while the vehicle is in motion. That reduces stability in emergency manoeuvres, can make the rear feel nervous on wet roads, and lengthens braking distances when the axle shifts under load. The extra movement also accelerates tyre wear and loads up shock absorbers, mounting brackets and other suspension parts.

Polyurethane vs Rubber Axle Bushes

Factory axle bushes are usually bonded rubber, chosen for quietness. They twist with every movement of the axle, and over time the rubber tears or separates from its sleeves.

Polyurethane axle bushes hold their shape under load, so the axle stays where it should during cornering and braking. Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. The signature red bushings are made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position, are mechanically fitted with minimal crush, and use a lubricated centre sleeve so the axle pivots freely rather than twisting the bush. They offer outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering.

The honest trade-off is that polyurethane transmits slightly more road feel than soft rubber. Most drivers notice a firmer, more planted rear end rather than harshness.

Choosing Axle Bushes for Your VN GROUP A COMMODORE

When selecting axle bushes, confirm:

• The axle type: rear torsion beam, beam-type front axle or solid rear axle
• The fitting position, front or rear
• The exact vehicle variant, as body style, drivetrain and model year can change the bush
• Whether any related parts, such as shock absorbers or the axle mounts themselves, also need attention

Each listing shows the vehicle and position the kit suits. Our fitment guarantee means the kit you order for your VN GROUP A COMMODORE is confirmed to suit it.

Replacing Axle Bushes on Your VN GROUP A COMMODORE

Axle bush replacement suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. Depending on the vehicle, the axle may need to be lowered or removed, and factory bushes often need a press or puller to remove. As a general guide:

1. Support the vehicle securely on stands and support the axle.
2. Disconnect brake lines, ABS sensor leads or the park brake as needed to lower the axle safely.
3. Unbolt the axle mounts and lower the axle far enough to reach the bushes.
4. Remove the old bushes and clean the housings thoroughly.
5. Fit the new bushes with a polyurethane-compatible grease, such as a silicone or PTFE-based grease.
6. Refit the axle and tighten the pivot bolts to specification with the vehicle at ride height.
7. Bleed the brakes if any lines were opened, then have a wheel alignment (tracking) carried out.

Doing both sides at the same time keeps the axle balanced and avoids paying for the same labour twice.

Lifetime Warranty

Nolathane axle bushes are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle they?re fitted to.

Shop Axle Bushes for Your VN GROUP A COMMODORE

Find the axle bushes for your VN GROUP A COMMODORE, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re repairing a worn rear end, replacing perished factory rubber or upgrading for improved handling and performance.