Odd tyre wear

[A80TDi]

The RHS front tyre on my A80 is wearing the tread to high hell on the inside edge. The rest of the tyres are wearing normally.

The suspension also makes some loud rattling noises when i go over pot holes, any idea what this may be?

Info / advice appreciated.

[MalcQV]

Track rod end?

[scotty33]

As well as the track rod end, you could check the rubber bushes at the inner end of the wishbone, there is a steel sleeve which should be moulded into the rubber, these tend to split away from the rubber. The suspension top mountings can also fail.

[A80TDi]

Thanks, I'll take a look at both but i suspect its probably the bushes though as last time i had a track rod end go the steering self compensated and wore the inside of both front tyres.

[A80TDi]

It seems to be the top mount.

How easy is it to repair this as I have been quoted about 8 quid for the part from GSF Car Parts and most places said they were looking at £100+vat to fit it.

I dont have a manual, but the strut looks no different to any other I have done in the past. Are there usually any complications with the strut when taking it out of the car.

Additionally can anyone email me the pages from the manual that cover removing the strut and replacing the top mount please.

Regards

Rees

[A80TDi]

Does anyone have an exploded diagram of the assebly at the top of the front strut that they could email to me at adamsr@awc.mod.uk please?

Rees

[scotty33]

There is an exploded view on Vagcat, you will need to register/log in to see it.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/au/A80...52/1160181/#2a

When it comes to taking the strut off, you need to decide whether to remove the whole strut assembly from the bottom balljoint, or split the strut at the 2 bolts which connect it to the wheel bearing housing. If you choose the second method it will need an alignment check afterwards.
The nut on the very top of the strut needs a cranked 22mm ring spanner and 7mm allen key to stop the piston rod turning. There are sockets you can buy that have a 'window' in the side for this job. At a push, you could use a standard socket gripped in a stillson pipewrench?
After you have removed the strut, you need to compress the spring, then you need a tool to undo the slotted nut in the centre of the top mount. This is more like a sleeve with 2 notches in the top. there is a tool for this, e.g.:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-AUDI-SUSPEN...QQcmdZViewItem

I would check the condition of the rubber bump stops before you start, easy to do them while you're in there.

[A80TDi]

Thankyou scoty33, I have registered on vagcat, what a useful site. hopefully i'll have the job done by the end of the weekend.

Rees