Perforated Wishbone

Redhull

Member
Members,

After having ordered two Lemforder ones already, with full cross checking with the mechanic for part numbers etc (from CP4L), both turned out to be wrong!
I really need to source the correct one by early next week to meet the MOT deadline.
It has to be perforated as I only need to change one (the other is an Audi original, changed few years back and is fine).
Part needed is 8Z0 407 153L.

On ebay there are Borg & Beck ones and one claming to be an orioginal Audi but I cant see any part numbers on it and it does not even have a bush inserted.
Audi want nearly £200 for their branded one (anyone know who makes it for them?).

All advice greatfully received...
thanks
 
Surely it's better to take the opportunity to convert both sides of your A2 to cast wishbones and be done with it?
 
Go for the cast ones, Lemforder are the ones to go for I believe. Cheap pressed steel ones rot out with amazing rapidity, the consequences of which don't bare contemplating. Lemforder will fit!
 
Cheap pressed steel ones rot out with amazing rapidity, the consequences of which don't bare contemplating
I really don't agree with that.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design, manufacture, usability or longevity of the pressed powder coated steel wishbones.

Granted, yes you might have to replace them after maybe 15 years or so but you will probably have to replace the ball joints twice in that time which thankfully you can do with the pressed steel wishbones but unfortunately can't with the heavier cast one's, probably why Audi changed to them, so in reality you will probably be replacing the complete cast wishbones twice as often as the pressed steel one's.

I know lots, or possibly most people will disagree with me on this but that's my opinion on the subject and I hate anything cheap and poor quality!

I also feel the steering is nicer with the much lighter weight, less agricultural steel wishbones too ?
 
I totally agree nothing wrong with pressed steel version just buy quality ones. I would suggest some internal rustproofing method as they corrode from the inside.
 
Either in my eyes would be good to go let's face it the one's that are rotting have been on the car from new probably so have lasted well, replacing them with the same but rust proofing them before fitting will probably last another 15 to twenty years ,before that happens, legislation will have taken the car off the road anyway unless converted to EV.
 
Thanks all for the responses...I was hoping someone might just point me to a supplier to go buy from:) job done. I have already had two failed attempts at sourcing the correct one!! I will keep hunting.

I have to stick with perforated as the left one is perfectly fine and only a few years old. Really do not want the headache of removing it but I think I will just give it a good waxoyling anyway as mentioned. I'm pretty sure the right one is original and has done very well at 17yrs old but is now 'holed' and clearly needs changing.

thanks
1.4 tdi, 2003
 
Out of curiosity, why cannot you have a mix of cast and pressed steel on either side? I understand it would look odd but is it an mot fail if they are both to specification?
 
Well, put on some sneakers, Nike's on one foot and an Adidas on the other.
They're the same size and you still can walk pretty straight and good I guess.......... But you know something is not 100%.
Last time I was tempted to do so (the control arm that is, not the shoe's ?), although it would be temporary: I declined because I like to sleep at night....

Weight of forged/cast is 3.3Kg.
IMG_20210714_202705.jpg

Unfortunely do not have a pressed steel one at hand anymore. Maybe another member wants to have a go at weighing a pressed steel one.
 
Why not ... Because Audi says so. In the same way they say all single use nuts and bolts are not to be reused and must be replaced. They have their reasons and development engineers, so why risk issues with safety critical components.
 
A very interesting thread. I had thought the cast ones were the better buy based upon recent experiences, but the logic employed by those championing the pressed steel versions makes complete sense. Mine are okay just now, but I'm always looking at proactive maintenance. Like the OP, does anyone have any links to quality pressed steel ones?
 
A very interesting thread. I had thought the cast ones were the better buy based upon recent experiences, but the logic employed by those championing the pressed steel versions makes complete sense. Mine are okay just now, but I'm always looking at proactive maintenance. Like the OP, does anyone have any links to quality pressed steel ones?
I must admit I had not looked at it like this either it seems like the pressed steel have the advantage for sure on that interchangeable ball joint ..and with proper prep with decent paint job it does make sense ..Saying this I have all three of ours on cast and a spare new set to boot ..it looks like the latest A2 is running on original cast from 2001 and 160k but there is a slight movement in there on n/s ball joint ..not a bad run 20 years ..and that milage ..
 
Its about providing accurate information isn't it? If there is no authoritative advice to the contrary, and an actual quoted reference would be useful, then there is nothing wrong with have one cast wishbone and one pressed steel wishbone and it is wrong to say otherwise given that they are both designed to fit.
 
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