Part clarification

[Axios]

Dropped my Avant off to audi this morning to get the gear box serviced and they gave me a lovely 10 plate A4 S-line (they would not let me keep it).
On my return i had a phone call from audi saying they did not do my gear box service cause they ran out of oil due to two other big jobs they got in.

Ok, fair enough. i don't mind, I got to drive a new A4 all day.

Then he told me some more bad news.


NSF Track rod end excessive play, new required. (I got the parts for that)

NSF upper front link arm bush has come out of arm, also causing damage to link arm mount. recommend replacement of both top link arms and link arm mount due to damage caused.

OSF NSF upper front link arm bush has come out of arm, also causing damage to link arm mount. recommend replacement of both top link arms and link arm mount due to damage caused.

They quoted 2.5 hours per side but not prices. the labour costs alone shocked me and I said i'll do it my self.

which is fine.
but rereading the list i noticed "Link Arm Mount".
Am i right in thinking that its part 39 in the attached image? (Sorry about the size. I upload a bigger one to photobucket or something if needed)

[BrandonA4]

Hi there first I'd have a close look to see why these links have come out as they are held in by a long bolt. It seams strange that they should do that or have the ball joints come apart? it would take some extreme force to separate them. I would suggest you price up the parts and do it your self.

[Axios]

Hi there first I'd have a close look to see why these links have come out as they are held in by a long bolt. It seams strange that they should do that or have the ball joints come apart? it would take some extreme force to separate them. I would suggest you price up the parts and do it your self.

Thats my thinking.
if both bolts on both sides have snapped or the ball joints have came apart, i think i would have heard something or noticed.

I'm pricing parts up today and going to get a friendly mech i know to look at it.
need to double check what they are saying about the link arm mount is the big chunk of metal on top the shock.

[Axios]

went to my what is now becoming regular mech and he got the car up on the ramps and the torch out.
This is what we found.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/IMAG0039.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/IMAG0038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/IMAG0040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/IMAG0037.jpg

I got it booked in to the garage tomorrow to get the parts replaced.

the main link brack is a dealer only part (well, mills and GSF dont stock it) and they are out of stock.
I've check the part number out, its the same unit they fit to the passats. so i'll give VW a call in the morning and see what they say.

[olds_kool]

wow, are they cheap n nasty replacement arms?
never seen the bushes just slide out

[Crasher]

I had a bush slide out like that on an A4 a few weeks ago and it was a genuine arm. The top plate was over half way eaten through and when I went to order one TPS or Audi did not have one in stock and as I had to get the car out that day, I had to scrabble around and find a good used one.

[Axios]

Olds Skool, Not a clue mate. The front shocks was replaced about 18 months ago and thats all i know.

I was going to buy a kit and replace all of front links and what not next month.
Looks like i just need to get the other parts. :D

Crasher, I need to get my car back on the road and ready to travel by 10pm friday.
I got a ferry to catch at 11pm. If VW can't help me out with a new part, i'll have to start phoning some breakers up and see what they can do.
Wish my luck. :)

[Axios]

The car is back and the garage did a blinding job.
Last minute booking (turned up on the door sort of thing) and its back on the road.

This is the parts he took off.

God knows how i never noticed this rubbing or nocking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9554-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9553-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9552-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9551-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9548-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9547-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9545-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9543-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9541-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9536-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9535-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9533-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v70/Axios/Audi/Parts/_MG_9556-2.jpg