Passat suspension

[Bren]

My fathers 03 passat TDi has developed a couple of noises from the suspension - it becomes apparent when he applies the footbrake - you can hear a knock.

 

There does'nt appear to be anything wrong with the brakes, however I have noticed play in the upper arms on the suspension ( they attach to the top of the mounting - two per side) when i use a crow bar there seems to be a lot of movement.- i cannot see how this could be checked during an MOT as the wheels have to be removed.

 

Anybody had any similar experiences with a VW / Audi? Are they a PITA to replace?

[twosmoke300]

Order a new pinch bolt cos they always seize. And iirc one of the upper arm bolts can't come out unless the whole strut comes out.

[Partridge]

The jolt of the brakes being applied is jaring the jiggily suspension arms?

 

Anyway, I'm sure Cavette will be along in a moment to tell you to scrap it

[cort16]

DANGER DANGER ARMS FLAYLING WILDLY

 

It's quite common for the wishbone to snap on these (ask me how I know?). They start knocking, then squeaking then the wheel falls off.

When it happened to me the AA guy said he'd scooped up a good few of them with the same issue. Basically it's worth having a proper look.

[Parcgwyn]

You are correct twosmoke300, the strut does have to come out. The job is not a bad one but you may need some strength to remove the lower arms if you need to replace these. 

[twosmoke300]

I don't understand . A vw part has failed ?

 

Surely failures would effect the bulletproof reputation. 😃

 

Oh and hands up if you think that having 12 balljoints on the front suspension is a bit ott

[cort16]

The front suspension is mental on these, which is weird as they handle like a skip full of porridge

[twosmoke300]

Exactly , you would forgive the complication if it went round corners like an Integra type r and rode like a bx.

 

Even the track rod ends are mounted in rubber bushes ffs.

[alf892]

has it had pads?..........they need to be the right way around or you get a knock each time you brake.

 

Learned this the hard way on an A4..........even though the difference looked insignificant

[Des]

prolly not the case with this car, but always approach VW suspension with caution as there may be eccentric bolts holding bits together and disturbing them can balls up the geometry. Then there's a common design fault with vee wee springing, the fix involves a hacksaw and council house driveway.