Another one bites the dust, (pressed wishbone failure)

audifan said:
Yes those on the German site appear different although pictures not really good enough to say single skin pressing or two joined together. What I have noticed is there are several part numbers for the wishbones / track control arms for the A1 depending on PR codes so possible there is a version single skinned but without looking physically at each part number can not say, or are they just different bushing compounds.
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The part numbers are in the Wiki article. The longer arms need to be used or the camber is way out.
 
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Joga said:
But possibly with a weight down-side.
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900g heavier.

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Good low down weiglht (lower center of gravity) to assist stability and improve stance.
Buy some lightweight wheels and tyres to combat this?
:) 👍

Although weight distribution would change.
And there's a good comment how rotational forces have been overlooked in the first link.
Crikey o_O
I'm closing the lid on that box.
What's a kilo? Run the washer fluid bottle half full?
 
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rotifer said:
Good low down weiglht (lower center of gravity) to assist stability and improve stance.
Buy some lightweight wheels and tyres to combat this?
:) 👍

Although weight distribution would change.
And there's a good comment how rotational forces have been overlooked in the first link.
Crikey o_O
I'm closing the lid on that box.
What's a kilo? Run the washer fluid bottle half full?
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I don't understand what your second comment about "rotational forces" is about.
 
Sootywg said:
I took the plunge last Monday, ordered a pair of lower suspension arms, (Triscan, pressed) from Autodoc. Decided to avoid the cheaper ones on eBay, some of the suppliers from Latvia were offering the same ones about 40% less. Autodoc is German (despite being listed as .co.uk) and the shipping was from Berlin (I believe) the items arrived yesterday with very good email tracking information. Very pleasantly surprised.
The quality looks good and would probably outlive the car but I will flood the inside with a rust preventative and maybe use a chip resistant paint on the outside.
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Second parts order came today, splash guards for front discs both sides and a steering rack gaiter, from online car parts (came in an Autodoc box with Autodoc tracking as expected but 6 days longer).
Set about replacing parts, first the steering rack gaiter, access is tight but even managed to use the proper inboard metal clip.
Next the installation of the new suspension arm. Lots of washing up liquid on the hex pinion and in the rear bush, sash clamp at the ready I was confident it would go back in. Two hours later I gave up for the night and a rethink. Even with grease on the pinion (I know) it would not go all the way home and actually pushed itself out when the tension was released!
 
Remember to position the clamp as much as possible to the hole of the pivot bolt. It's a "bit" tricky but it can be done. Did you try to push it with some decent strap? It's a lot easier with strap

There is even video on yorube someone swap the wishbone on his A2 with bunch of straps without droping the consoles.

 
PlasticMac said:
Unsprung weight is best kept to a minimum. Increasing it by nearly a kilogram is not the best idea.
A2 pressed steel wishbones are the lightest OEM option.
Mac.
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It wonder how much weight differs between pressed and cast wishbones. I remember I was surprised how heavy the new Audi pressed was (yes actually) when I changed mine.
 
Joga said:
It wonder how much weight differs between pressed and cast wishbones. I remember I was surprised how heavy the new Audi pressed was (yes actually) when I changed mine.
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I got couple cast wishbones sitting in my workshop I'll drop one on scales and let you know. Sootywg didn't managed to push them through yet so he might check the weight of his pressed steel wishbone and let us know.

Handling both recently honestly I don't think there will be lot of difference. They are about the same weight. Cast one might be a little bit heavier but not much.
 
bix said:
Remember to position the clamp as much as possible to the hole of the pivot bolt. It's a "bit" tricky but it can be done. Did you try to push it with some decent strap? It's a lot easier with strap

There is even video on yorube someone swap the wishbone on his A2 with bunch of straps without droping the consoles.

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I did see this video. Not impressed by the way he treated the bush. He must have inserted the arm at least one hex flat round from the correct position, the resulting stress on the bush will cause it to fail prematurely unless it ‘jumps’ a flat.
I have not yet tried a strap, my current straps are by no means Heavy duty so I am sure they will fail. Bigger straps will probably be ordered.
 
bix said:
I got couple cast wishbones sitting in my workshop I'll drop one on scales and let you know. Sootywg didn't managed to push them through yet so he might check the weight of his pressed steel wishbone and let us know.

Handling both recently honestly I don't think there will be lot of difference. They are about the same weight. Cast one might be a little bit heavier but not much.
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I have seen the weight quoted elswhere on the forum but I will weigh one tomorrow and post the value
 
Hello @Sootywg.
Thank you for sharing your wishbone replacement journey.

The following are just some ideas that are specific to the subframe chat not wishbones.

These ideas can be shelved until the time maybe (or maybe not) someone may find to do a write up.

First off, an A1 - A2 componant comparison data table of which headings may include
  • Part Numbers
  • Componant mass
  • Retail price
It would certainly be of use to me when choosing to remain OEM or fit the A1 sub set up.

Secondly, a step by step A2oc version the German forum write up on fitting the A1 subframe assembly would make a great 'how to' post on this forum.

Good luck with your current project @Sootywg :) 👍
 
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rotifer said:
Hello @Sootywg.
Thank you for sharing your wishbone replacement journey.

The following are just some ideas that are specific to the subframe chat not wishbones.

These ideas can be shelved until the time maybe (or maybe not) someone may find to do a write up.

First off, an A1 - A2 componant comparison data table of which headings may include
  • Part Numbers
  • Componant mass
  • Retail price
It would certainly be of use to me when choosing to remain OEM or fit the A1 sub set up.

Secondly, a step by step A2oc version the German forum write up on fitting the A1 subframe assembly would make a great 'how to' post on this forum.

Good luck with your current project @Sootywg :) 👍
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Thanks for all your recent input and help. It is not so much a project as necessity to get it back on the road, hence I am not documenting it in any meaningful way.
I cannot weigh the arms accurately only on a set of bathroom scales (too heavy for the kitchen digital scales) and 3kg is the best I can measure. I have seen elsewhere on the forum that the cast ones are 3.25kg
Next step is a new ratchet strap!
If I ever get this side done I still have the near side to do. There is no way I would have any confidence in the old wishbone now.
 
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OK, you are allowed to laugh!
Referencing my earlier question over how strong a ratchet strap would need to be, Wednesday late night browsing of eBay and I came across a 10Ton NOS MOD ratchet strap and I made an offer, not really expecting it to be accepted. In the morning I found I had purchased it (offer accepted and payment made automatically, that was a new one on me). It was dispatched early Thursday morning and was delivered this morning (Friday)

Mmm might be overkill and possibly too unwieldy to actually wrestle around the arm. I will give it a go.
Anyone want a 10Ton strap? I recon I could use it as a rowing strap but at 9ft long a bit on the short Side.
 

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It's a bit overkill but It might work if you can park another car next to it or have some good anchor point.
 
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