Suspension Arms???

steve_c said:
The appearance suggests that they are the same casting (in origin at least). The original part numbers have at some point in the casting process been rather visibly ground out.
They are made in Germany, so there's no risk that they're a Chinese copycat.
The ball joint appears fine.
The packaging that accompanies them identifies them as 8Z0407151J and 8Z0407152J, which are the OEM part numbers for the petrol A2 arms.
They are sold using Optimal branding, the Optimal part numbers are G6-864 and G6-869

Home

www.optimal-germany.com www.optimal-germany.com
Optimal have a good web catalogue

When I bought these, the original Lemforder arms were getting difficult to find, although the TRW arms were still easily available. I was happy to buy these at a very considerable saving at the time. They are an exact match for the Lemforder originals that required replacing, and I subsequently bought a second set as insurance for the future.
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How long have you had these in your car? Like all parts time will tell (i have had a trw track rod end from gsf fail very quickly on my Galaxy) how the cars driven is no doubt a major factor but i should be a priest the way i drive!

Be great to get some tried and tested recommendations!
 
Howey said:
How long have you had these in your car? Like all parts time will tell (i have had a trw track rod end from gsf fail very quickly on my Galaxy) how the cars driven is no doubt a major factor but i should be a priest the way i drive!
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Two years so far. Still feel like new.
 
Much appreciated, thank you for the information. I have an aversion to questionable Chinese products.
I'm leaning towards cast arms although mine, being the originals to the car are pressed steel with replaceable ball joints .
So far, I haven't come across pressed steel ones in this country that have some sort of provenance.
It's reassuring to learn of your experience.
 
I think it has been established beyond any reasonable doubt that the geometry of the control arms whether cast/forged or pressed steal, are the same for all A2’s (other than the 1.2 that are a unique geometry and are cast Aluminium). The bushes do seem to differ in spec between engine variants but more importantly the location and clearances of the bushes as installed in the arms differ between engine varients. Who knows whether this is actually critical or not!
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It may be that the bushes differ (elasticity etc) to suit the rev range of the car. FSIs, for example V TDI, and unsprung weight.
Just a guess, but seems likely to me.
Mac.
 
More likely fuel type resistance and composition. Possibly academic due to availabilty of parts currently ( and going forward? )
 
audifan said:
More likely fuel type resistance and composition. Possibly academic due to availabilty of parts currently ( and going forward? )
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I think reasonable resistance to hydro carbons is common to most active, synthetic rubber suspension components. They are as likely to be exposed to engine oil, as fuel.
Mac.
 
Some great input on the suspension arm issue. I for one, feel much more informed thanks to the recent contributors.
 
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