Rear Axle Components: Beam Axles, Subframes and the Less-Glamorous Bits

Behind the front suspension and steering, the rear axle has its own components — sometimes a separate subframe, sometimes a beam axle (on twist-beam rear designs), sometimes complete bushing carriers. They’re less-glamorous than front suspension but no less subject to UK road salt and miles.

Common failure modes

Subframe bushes — rubber-and-metal mounts holding a rear subframe to the body. Wear shows as a clonking under acceleration or braking, sometimes a vague feeling through the rear of the car under cornering.

Beam axle bushes — on twist-beam rear designs, two bushes connect the beam to the body. Wear causes rear-end wandering, especially under braking.

Rear-axle suspension trailing arms — on some designs, dedicated trailing arms locate the rear axle. Bushes at each end eventually wear.

Brand

Lemforder, Febi, First Line, Corteco cover most OE-equivalent rear-axle bushing and subframe components.

Find rear axle components for your car on the Rear Axle collection.