Bushings do not fit "tight" in IRS outer spring plate caps

[74 Thing]

How tight are new bushings supposed to fit in the IRS outer spring plate caps?

I would think tight with no side to side play when you insert the bushing into the cap, but there is a slight movement in mine (maybe 1/16-1/8").

Is this normal or are the bushings maybe smaller in dimensions than they should be or maybe there is wear in the cap over the years.

Thanks

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2160917.jpg

[bhartwell59]

When I replaced mine... they were so tight that I needed longer bolts to tighten the spring plate caps down.
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'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[74 Thing]

[MuzzcoVW]

A little tip that isn't always explained and can cause a huge headache if you don't figure it out first. Install the plate with the longer bolts BEFORE you pry the spring plate back up onto the stop. If you don't the bolt holes will not line up.

[raydog]

Don't over think it. The cover can't wear out. What you are describing with the relationship between bushing and cover sounds normal. When you get it tightened down, the bushing gets compressed inside the cover.
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Come on, It's not rocket science. KISS

[74 Thing]

But if you are usling delrin or urethane I don't think there is any compression and depending on the durometer reading on the OEM bushing there may be limited squish.

The shiny marks inside the end cap cover shows some slippage.

Yes, maybe I am overthinking things.

I was just wondering what others experiences have been or if it is just normal.

[Tvättbjörn]

Every single bushing I installed had no play when i put it in the cover. Always used NOS VW bushing. I have also seen just round rings for the cover, but than the cover has a ring in it to seat the ring firm. I never used Urethane bushing .

Post a picture of what you have.

[74 Thing]

I already installed what I have so no photo unfortunately.

Where are you finding NOS bushings? I have the inner knobby ones, but I need a set of the outer round ones 1 7/8".

I thought Wolfsburg West had good durometer stock like bushings, but I did not find them on their site.

Part 111511245E

[74 Thing]

Found them
https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111511245E

and

https://www.thethingshop.com/TORSION-RUBBER-BUSHING-OUTER/productinfo/111511245E/

The smaller circle faces the tranny, correct? Why?

Or is it like this:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1294616

There is a photo here with one inserted into the cap and you can see a slight gap on the right hand side of the photo
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2160917

[Tvättbjörn]

One thing to remember. The rubber bushing goes usually on tight onto the spring plate shaft. It will open up the bushing a bit. Maybe that is enough to make it sit tight in the cover.

I used tire mounting paste on the bushing to install it onto the spring plate.