Check your front suspension arms people

I'm going to order a pair of cast iron control arms. What else is worth / should be changed at the same time? I note that the Lemforder catalogue has 2 x Control Arm-/Trailing Arm Bushes, though one bush is no longer available. But it seems to me that cast arm comes with 1 bush. Do I need the bush where the plain end goes into? If so which one is that?

As for other components. I had the ARB+drop links+disks and pads changed 27k miles ago and Dampers+Springs+Bumps at 9k miles ago.

I have a 2004 1.4TDI with BHC engine

Thanks
 

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Yes, you need the bushes to go with the arms. As you say, one is already fitted to the arm but the one that presses into the little subframe is sold separately.

There are two arm types - one for petrol one for diesel. As far as I can work out, the only difference is the grade of rubber used in the pre-fitted bush. The diesel one uses a stiffer rubber.

As for the separate bushes - 27135 01 is for the TDi. They come boxed as a pair. The one for the petrol A2 is 27134 01. For some reason that I can't fathom, those are sold singly.
 
Thanks TFG. On the AutoPartsPro site https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/lemforder-1264611 they are sold as single units but not to bad a price at £11 each.

Looking at the parts diagram the only thing I can think of that might be worn is the wheel bearing (item 11) but I guess that can easily be changed when the disks next need changing.
 

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I wouldn’t change the wheel bearings unless you need to. A special tool is required and the ABS rota is intergared into the bearing. Also from memory it’s made of a glass type material. Crack it while fitting and you have all sorts of ABS issues.
 
I left the bush that was already in the “console” when I swapped out because there looked to be nothing wrong with it. I managed to rig up a puller to use as an extractor to get the old arm out without any damage to the bush and pushed the new one in with plenty of washing up liquid. I will comment on this post in a few years when I come to regret not changing the bush ?

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Anybody bought the special lubricant for fitting the rear press in bushes? Apparently you dilute it, it soaks into the rubber, becomes sticky and stops the bush rotating in the chassis. Part G 294 421 A1 diluted 20:1 when pressing in.
 
Just came across a posting I booked marked on the German forum https://translate.google.co.uk/tran...topic/25538-querlenker-gußblech-austauschbar/ (Google translate) where it was reported that a cast arm had bent! I'm now wondering if the steel ones might be more resilient to bending (at least while they are not corroded) - i.e. able to take the strain of a jolt from a pot-hole (of which we have 1,000s in Wiltshire).

As mentioned earlier, the steel ones can be protected though I guess it is a case of remembering to redo it every few years, or maybe every year.

Thoughts?
 
I would have been good to have a choice of pressed or cast. I understand A2 suspension arms are obsolete at Audi. I couldn’t find pressed in stock anywhere. Of the two TRW arms I ordered 1 is on back order. Finally Lemforder will shortly be discontinuing A2 arms.
Feels like we are quickly heading for Hobson’s choice.
 
I have just had my RH Track Control Arm collapse during heavy braking. I have removed the broken one and now trying to fit the new one. Is it possible to fit without taking the sub frame out. I can't see that there is any way to remove the sub frame because the roll bar is in the way.
 
I had to unbolt the anti roll bar, but you can buy new ones dirt cheap. You only need to remove 4 bolts after that and the “console” as they call it drops out quite easily, then you can press the arm out the bush and fit your new one.

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The 4 bolts are strech bolts though, so you really should replace em.

I used a puller rigged up a bit dodgy to push the arm out. Actually worked really well.

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You could probably do it with it still on the car, but jeeeze it’ll be a mare. The dirt still marks the outline of where the frame was so bolting up in the same place should be fine... When I get back round to it.
 
Ordered a pair of Lemforder cast arms from Mister Auto which arrived today, impressed with the quality - they come with a little plastic cap to protect the taper / rubber boot during transit at the outboard end. Was going to give them a lick of paint before fitting but they seem to have a reasonable coat already.

Simon.
 
philward said:
My second TRW has just now arrived. Got them out of their bags, they are Lemforders with some identification numbers removed.
Click to expand...
Got some "remanufactured" callipers, they are funny since they keep the lucas name but someone has ground off the VAG identification. It's strange the lengths they go to just to cover up that 20 parts suppliers are actually about 5.
 
Think I'll need to look into preventative measure given I know if I dont replace now I may have issues replacing in the future...

Bilth hamber look like they have some good products - simple brush down and spray of dynax-ub should do the trick I would hope...
 
Well I've ordered what I believe / hope are the Lemforder cast iron ones for my TDi from autopartspro
https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/lemforder-1264407

The picture looks like the cast iron ones but the description says steel. So I sent them an email with the Audi part numbers 8Z0407151J left and 8Z0407152J right and they replied that I need https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/febi-bilstein-7286822 but these are FEBI BILSTEIN. Again they look like the cast iron ones but the description says sheet steel.

As a warning to others, the autopartspro order cost page is a bit misleading. For 2 arms and 2 bushes the order screen says:
Total Cost £253,84
Excluding voucher value - £ 13,36

To me the word "Excluding" means the total excludes the voucher. To me it should say:
Total Cost £253,84
Including voucher value - £ 13,36

or better still:
Gross Cost £267,20
Less voucher value - £ 13,36
Net Cost £253,84

Also on the final check out screen it shows the items and a confirm button. What one can easily miss, unless one pages down, is that they have added £3.45 option to be able to return the items at their expenses. Not much extra and in my case worth it in case the parts are wrong, but in principal I believe this should be an opt in not an opt out.

I've book the car in to have the work done. Quoted £147 labour + cost of new bolts. Let's hope the bits I've ordered are correct.

All in the cost is £401 + the bolts. I recall there are 12 (6 a side) so I guess another £36.? Add in a cambelt etc change £412 and MOT it's approaching £900 - ouch!

EDIT UPDATE: Just got an email from autodoc co uk (note not autopartspro) asking me to confirm my identity by sending scans of my credit card and drivers licence! I suspect this is because autopartspro is a German company. I rang autopartspro and they confirm the email. We've agreed they will refund the credit card amount and then I can pay with PayPal - apparently they then don't need the photographic evidence! How bizarre.
 
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Alan I've just checked my TRW arms and unfortunately the Lemforder numbers have been removed. The arms are clearly marked TDi though, I took that as confirmation I have the right arms and I suspect your Lemforders will also be marked for application.
 
Help! Can someone please confirm the suitable Lemforder cast arms for a 1.4TDI 2004 BHC.

I ordered Lemforder 27036 02 https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/lemforder-1264407 and 27037 02 https://www.autopartspro.co.uk/lemforder-1264409 from AutopartPro but they say they are wrong and offered me FEBI BILSTEIN but at half the price they are probably not good and Bret recommends Lemforder.

Just to complicate things their description stays steel and they say I should not rely on their photos whether they are cast or steel.

It's much easier if I quote the Lemforder numbers and not get into discussions with them to confirm they are the cast ones.

Thanks

PS I've scanned all these posts but can't see any Lemforder refs. Lemforder also do cast for petrol so it's important to get the refs for a TDi
 
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