A2 TDI 1.4 new to me

[Rofomojo]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new owner of a 2002 black 1.4 TDI - 110k miles
+ Leather seats
+ Bose - not sure all tweeters are working but sounds decent.
+ Tinted windows
- Lots of lacquer peel - will try sanding and rattle can spraying some panels.
- Curbed alloys
- Interior was very grubby - much better now.
- Passenger front - Slight rattle noise over light bumps at lower speed - Will need to jack the car and see if I can figure out - it had new front shocks, springs, drop link arms, strut mounts about 20k ago - wonder if any of these have worn out already?
- Rear interior light was not working - The Forum sorted this out as it was the usual dry solder - fixed now.
- AC is not working, no pressure in the system from testing the bleed nipple - wonder if it just needs a regas or if there is a leak....

I have a 2006 Merc SL, 1977 Alfa Spider and Porsche Cayenne - however I am really enjoying the super practical, torquey, nimble A2.

It looks much better in this picture than in real life

 

[Robin_Cox]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new owner of a 2002 black 1.4 TDI - 110k miles
+ Leather seats
+ Bose - not sure all tweeters are working but sounds decent.
+ Tinted windows
- Lots of lacquer peel - will try sanding and rattle can spraying some panels.
- Curbed alloys
- Interior was very grubby - much better now.
- Passenger front - Slight rattle noise over light bumps at lower speed - Will need to jack the car and see if I can figure out - it had new front shocks, springs, drop link arms, strut mounts about 20k ago - wonder if any of these have worn out already?
- Rear interior light was not working - The Forum sorted this out as it was the usual dry solder - fixed now.
- AC is not working, no pressure in the system from testing the bleed nipple - wonder if it just needs a regas or if there is a leak....

I have a 2006 Merc SL, 1977 Alfa Spider and Porsche Cayenne - however I am really enjoying the super practical, torquey, nimble A2.

It looks much better in this picture than in real life

View attachment 113586

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Passenger front - Slight rattle noise over light bumps at lower speed -

Could be the drop links as cheaper parts do wear out ; however, the counter to this is the anti-roll bar bushes (that the drop links attach to) - if these haven't been replaced they will need to be and the symptom is exactly as you describe - clicks and clacks going over road imperfections. Febi Bilstein and other parts manufacturers do kits for these available overnight from Amazon or reasonably quickly from Ebay etc. if you look for them.

 

[Rofomojo]

I replaced the drop links, it was not this. Easy job though, 30 mins.

After a lot of rocking of the wheel, i noticed some small play when rocking side to side but not from top to bottom. The play was in the lower wishbone bushing. Annoyingly its the whole cast iron wishbone that needs replacing for this.

I ordered a Meyle one for around £50 and have just finished replacing it. Getting the old one out of the slide in rubber bushing was not that easy, had to use a 4 ft crowbar. Getting the new one in was also pretty difficult, had to use ratchet straps. Took just over an hour.

This video was very helpful! Thanks to Garage of Dad.

The knocking has completely disappeared, Sounds like a totally different car now.