Rear Beam Hell

[MikeyMike 1]

I'm in the process of restoring a 92 1.9 gti and have finally managed to get around to focusing my attention on the rear suspension. I recently purchased a refurbished 309 gti rear beam from eBay and managed to find some time to fit it today. After spending most of the day stripping cleaning and treating the rear floor, I eventually was in a position to fit the new beam however it will not fit. I was under the impression the 309 beam is a direct replacement which leads me to believe that I've been seen off. Now the question I have is does anyone know which beam I could have bought as I am going to have to attempt to sell it to try to recoup some of the money back. I will upload photos of said beam asap to see if anyone on here recognises it.. Also I measured the distance between the front mounting points which if I remember correctly was around 97.5cm whereas the 205 beam that came off measured at 95cm. Am I missing something here? Do I need to change the mounts? Surely the 25mm difference is way to much..? Apologies for the vagueness, any help of opinions will be much appreciated.

 

Edit: Lol, topic title was a typo of "help"... How ironic..

Edited January 11, 2014 by MikeyMike

[jord294 92]

Without a pic it's hard to say.

 

I can't remember off the top of my head, but pretty sure the front mount brackets should point in when using a 309 beam, and point out with 205 beam. Hope that makes sense?

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

You talking about the rear rubber mounts? If so spin them round 180 degrees.

[MikeyMike 1]

You talking about the rear rubber mounts? If so spin them round 180 degrees.

Nope im talking about the front mounts with the two studs on either side. When attempting to fit to the car I can obviously get the studs into the boot floor on one side however if one side is in the other side does not line up if that makes sense?

 

What is the benefit of turning the rear rubber mounts around 180?

Edited January 11, 2014 by MikeyMike

[jord294 92]

Without a pic it's hard to say.

 

I can't remember off the top of my head, but pretty sure the front mount brackets should point in when using a 309 beam, and point out with 205 beam. Hope that makes sense?

Just checked. Sounds like you may have the 2 two studded mounts 180 degs out Edited January 11, 2014 by jord294

[Ryan 99]

You need to swap the front mounts from one side to the other. They're slightly offset to make up for the difference in width between the 205 and 309. Don't just turn them 180 degrees because the mounting studs are also offset slightly from front to back and the beam will sit too far back.

[jord294 92]

I agree with above. BUT if the mounts don't have a D or a G on, do what I said

[MikeyMike 1]

Thanks for the help guys I have swapped the front mounts around and the front mounts fit perfectly. Unfortunately the rear mount holes don't line up with the rear rubber mounts..? I feel like I'm missing something else or this is indeed not a 309 beam. I'll try to upload a photo to show what I mean.

[MikeyMike 1]

Ok here's a photo of the nearside rear mount:

 

[MikeyMike 1]

And one of the offside:

 

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Undo those mounts inside the boot. They have an offset pin. Spin 180 deg and refit. As per what folk have already told you above????

[MikeyMike 1]

Undo those mounts inside the boot. They have an offset pin. Spin 180 deg and refit. As per what folk have already told you above????

Undo those mounts inside the boot. They have an offset pin. Spin 180 deg and refit. As per what folk have already told you above????

Thanks for the fast reply. I assumed the person who mentioned the rear mounts was talking about the front one for some reason?!

 

Lines up perfectly now. Thank you!

[welshpug 1,655]

you need to do those as well but given its come from a 205 already then that's been done.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

you need to do those as well but given its come from a 205 already then that's been done.

 

Looks like the rubber mounts used are the ones already on the 205.

[MikeyMike 1]

Looks like the rubber mounts used are the ones already on the 205.

Yeah the beam didn't come with any rear mounts so had to reuse the ones already on the car. Well one of the ones on the car as one fell apart when I removed the 205 beam...

 

Thanks to everyone who commented and gave advise. Really appreciate it.