Replacing subframe mount bushes on w202 (same as 190, w124) odd gap?

[charlysays]

Just finished a refurb of the rear subframe and underbody in that area, fuel tanks off etc.

The issue I'm having is that when I bolt up the front mounts for the rear subframe, there's a gap of several mm between the rubber backed washer and the subframe.
See pics.
The bushes are from Merc main dealer and have the same part number as the original ones I removed (starts 124).

Is there meant to be this gap between the washer and the subframe?

Very confusing as it's not as though there are options for other variations of the bush and there aren't any parts missing... You have the bush, the subframe, the rubber backed washer and the bolt but it looks like it wants a shim!. The subframe was rusty before I blasted it and painted with epoxy mastic but it's hardly likely that 3-4mm has gone missing from the top face for the inner part of the bush to stick out this far underneath.
Any ideas or is it meant to float like this?

Pics taken off the car but with the subframe on the car its the same, when you tighten the bolt it doesn't pull together and there's this gap between the washer and the subframe.
Now if the springs were fitted, the bush would undoubtedly slide In the subframe so that it was pressing on the washer instead but then there would be a gap on the top side.

It's as though the bush inner is too long or the subframe isn't thick enough for the bush? In the bottom pic you can clearly see the bush inner protruding beyond the subframe by several mm.

 

[Uncle Benz]

It’s meant to float like that. All the ones you see where the subframe is sitting on the big washer have saggy old bushes that aren’t holding it up anymore.

 

[charlysays]

It’s meant to float like that. All the ones you see where the subframe is sitting on the big washer have saggy old bushes that aren’t holding it up anymore.

Thanks for the reply, I'm starting to think the same although it goes against something in my head...

What I don't understand is that when the springs are fitted, the pressure is going to try to pull the bush outer the other way in the subframe, so that gap will then be on the top side where it's currently knocked in flush?

When I had the delphi bushes fitted, they were a looser fit in the socket and just the weight of the fully assembled subframe was enough for the bush to start sliding in the socket to rest on the rubber backed washer underneath. I'm glad I fitted proper Merc bushes because I don't think the delphi ones (TD599W) are oil filled, they're absolutely rock solid compared to the merc ones (you can move the bush inner with hand pressure just about) and I don't think they would have done a good job at isolating vibration.

The merc ones are a tighter fit in the subframe socket, they had to be tapped in fairly hard but I think once the springs are fitted the bush will shift in the subframe so the gap is at the top side instead.

 

[charlysays]

Cars back on the road and driving fine... the gap appears to be normal. Posted on the superturbodiesel group on FB and a few people chimed in saying there was gap on theirs when they changed the front bushes on the subframe.