Suspension

[Andy N.I]

Ok,

My '02 130se passat tdi is going for M.O.T and needs a little tlc to get it through, i neede to replace 4 suspension arms. would it be cheaper in the long run for me to replace the whole front suspension, if so what are the lemfroder replacement kit like. Can anyone recommend any other vw parts sites bar vag parts. Also i have to change the alternator clutch do i have to change the tensioner/ damper thingy or not. Are c.v boots a nightmare to change i have suspecting tears starting to show so i think i will just change these also, whilst the suspension is getting done. What other replacement suspension is available.

[aprildavy]

My 1997 Passat got one arm replaced but was still juddery over rough ground so I bit the bullet hard and got the whole front lot done at a price! (VAG) It drives like new now (180,000 miles).

[Eddie]

Ive just done the front suspension on my 1.9 tdi 02 plate it is a can of worms,in theory you drop the two upper arms and the hub carrier swivels out and the outer cv joint pops from the hub the sting in the tail is the bolt that holds the upper arms to the hub carrier will 9 times out of 10 be seized solid an oxy torch is very usefull here unfortunately i dont possess one so what you have to do is drop the strut undo both arms from the strut then put strut to one side take of track control arm remove 2 front lower arms from bottom of hub carrier take hub carrier to workbench soak for at least 2 hours with penetrating oil in these 2 spare hours you now have go back to motor factors and order the abs sensors you wrecked getting out of the hub carrier £40 each (they also seize solid).Now the good part get at least a 4lb lump hammer and the best drift you can buy now spend the next 1 hour hammering the bolt to death remember to keep applying the penetrating oil and keep warming it with hot air gun eventually the bolt will pop but only after losin 20lb in body weight through sweat and your arm will also be dead as a dodo your left hand will have white finger syndrome from the shock of the lump hammer hitting the drift.Clean everything up and copperslip the whole lot to stop this happening again
the front lower arm is simple,the rear lower arm you have to drop the front subframe because vw put the bolt in back to front remember to put it back the wrong way then you dont have to drop the subframe next time,it took me 1 day per side on axle stands make sure you have a torque wrench capable of 140lb/ft,a very robust knuckle bar and an extension bar i used the handle of my 3 ton trolley jack. Regards Ed

[gymrat]

Hi aprildavy
Could you give me ball park figure how much it cost as mine to lumpy ride and i am thinking of having it done. but i only have my leg left after paying out for a new mot. someone said it would be cheaper to upgrade the car but its been a good car to me.
all the best

p/s eddie your a better man then me i couldn't do all that m8 fair play to you.:fing02:




My 1997 Passat got one arm replaced but was still juddery over rough ground so I bit the bullet hard and got the whole front lot done at a price! (VAG) It drives like new now (180,000 miles).

[aprildavy]

Hello, it was quite expensive - about 600 to 700 pounds in total. I'm working on the basis that to actually replace the car would cost an awful lot more, and of course, it would only be a matter of time before that car needed work done and so on. Maybe it could cost a lot less at a specialist (non VAG) as I have seen kits of parts advertised for about 150 I think. I initially had only one arm done and the roll bar, and this was okay for smooth roads, but on rough surfaces it was still poor, so I got them all done.
I rely on the car a lot for work so I decided to keep it going in good condition. Fortuntately this is the only large bill I have had - still original clutch, etc etc at 180,000 miles.

[gymrat]

That is a good amount of money but i'm with you, if you find a good car its worth spending on it, thanks for the reply aprildavy. i can go and get some quotes now.cheers
gymrat