Front Wishbones.

MG man

Member
Has anyone got any idea where I can find a couple of front wishbones for my 2005 A2. We were supplied some Bugiad ones but they are incorrect and the tracking is now out. A search by my parts supplier in Inverness has drawn a blank on any wishbones from any of the usual UK aftermarket suppliers and the German aftermarket supplier Buy Car Parts cannot supply. I have approached Highland Audi and it appears that Audi UK have none, neither do Audi in Germany and we have been quoted about 4 weeks for Audi to source some from their supplier. This really begins to look like the start of difficulties getting parts for this model. Trip parts and non critical parts I can accept but you cannot use reclaimed wishbones..... they rot!
 
Hi MG man, the early A2's used cast iron wishbones. You should be able to find 'lemforder' or similar ones on eBay, these won't rot and will probably last as long as the car!
 
I bought a pair of these recently as they were much cheaper than the TRW/Lemforder ones I bought a few months ago (they were £90ea, these are under £40 ea). Link is for one side, other side should be easy to locate, else let me know.
As @Fallan said, early cars used forged/cast arms which don't rot(there have been a number of members with failed pressed arms) though the ball joint is not replaceable. Cast arms can be fitted to your 2005 car (I've swapped on my 2005 already).
 
I bought a pair of these recently as they were much cheaper than the TRW/Lemforder ones I bought a few months ago (they were £90ea, these are under £40 ea). Link is for one side, other side should be easy to locate, else let me know.

Including a ball joint that's a bloody good price.
 
Including a ball joint that's a bloody good price.
Sure was, I bought four (to do the two storms at some point-both running original pressed though all OK and monitored) and received a further discount. Possible 15% off with current promo.
 
If you want a bit of background, settle down and read this long thread...


Andy
 
If you want a bit of background, settle down and read this long thread...


Andy
I was going to quote that - you beat me to it ;) For sources of replacements and speed go to the end of the tread and work backwards. If I recall correctly, Lemforder were about to / have discontinue making arms but no harm in doing a web search.
 
Have drawn a complete blank. Lemforder are no longer available so am still waiting for Audi to have a batch made. This is going to be a serious problem as time goes on.
 
Could also go the same route as previous owner of mine went and develop an oil leak - the forks are pressed steel but look pristine as coated in oil :D it isn't really leaking anymore not even a drop when parked overnight but most of rusting bits in engine bay are safe until then... preserved almost like the dinosaurs.

Best bet would be to check market for someone breaking one if not urgent and get a cast part which do not rust. As far as i am aware new parts are pressed steel which will have same issue.
 
We used the below made by Meyle, a quick search of eBay brings up dozens of options so not sure there is a shortage yet!

 
We used the below made by Meyle, a quick search of eBay brings up dozens of options so not sure there is a shortage yet!

Hi,
I've been looking at these as Lemforder are hard to get for a reasonable price, have these been any good for you - would you recommend?
Thanks
Anthony
 
Hi,
I've been looking at these as Lemforder are hard to get for a reasonable price, have these been any good for you - would you recommend?
Thanks
Anthony

The Meyle items have been on Adams car for almost two years with zero problems. Meyle are a good manufacturer and I don’t think you need to worry.

Ian
 
To emphasise what @993BOY has said. If someone tries to order new arms and quotes their VIN or reg number, the supplier will automatically get the pressed ones for the later vehicles. You have to be forceful and state that you need the earlier cast parts. Unfortunately many garages that will not let you supply your own parts will also end up fitting the pressed ones instead.
 
Yes I found this with KMS in Birmingham where I bagged their last set of Lemforder cast arms - they were advertised as simply “top quality brand” with no picture, so ironically it gave me confidence when they tried to cancel the order based on my VIN that the arms were definitely the right parts, once I’d got them to check the part numbers on the packets.

The issue would potentially be where the supplier of a “computer says no” persuasion as you say.
 
I bought a pair of these recently as they were much cheaper than the TRW/Lemforder ones I bought a few months ago (they were £90ea, these are under £40 ea). Link is for one side, other side should be easy to locate, else let me know.
As @Fallan said, early cars used forged/cast arms which don't rot(there have been a number of members with failed pressed arms) though the ball joint is not replaceable. Cast arms can be fitted to your 2005 car (I've swapped on my 2005 already).

Good call, I just grabbed a set of these because I'm going through the front of the car while the engines out. The linked threads were a godsend with how funky the parts lists are for this car.
 
Yes I found this with KMS in Birmingham where I bagged their last set of Lemforder cast arms - they were advertised as simply “top quality brand” with no picture, so ironically it gave me confidence when they tried to cancel the order based on my VIN that the arms were definitely the right parts, once I’d got them to check the part numbers on the packets.

The issue would potentially be where the supplier of a “computer says no” persuasion as you say.

The way round this is simply to borrow someone else's reg number from an earlier car: saves all the arguments.

Alternatively if I'm working on a car that's right on a change point, but know it's (e.g.) the earlier one, I'll just say I don't have the reg and give the date as a year or two (in this case) back.
 
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