Anti Roll Bar Replacement Thread

Anti Roll Bar

I am new to the A2OC and bought a used A2 from a main Mitsubishi dealer. The dreaded knocking noise was not present on the test drive but started as soon as I picked it up, no doubt partly due to the number of speed bumps in Bexley. The car went back for new bushes under warranty but the knocking resumed 2 days later. After research on the web and joining the A2OC I have got the dealer to replace the whole bar under warranty FOC. Thanks to the contributions and info on this site the garage thinks I know what I am talking about! lets hope this cures the problem. Details for me are:

1.4 SE TDi, 01/2003, 07/2007, FOC
 
Hi mpeg, welcome to the A2oc.
Glad to hear you have already found our site useful

Cheers Spike
 
I had my ARB replaced in May (I think) but now its started knocking again. Is the part covered by a 12 month warranty and can I ask The Dealer to replace it under warranty if its failed within this time?
 
Hi Emm
The knocking noise could be from the droplinks which are attached to the rollbar. The links - which are just a rod approx 300mm long with a ball joint at each end are under £20 per side and each should take less than 30min to replace so its not an expensive repair if this is the problem.
As your car is a 2004 model, I assume the ARB was fixed within the 3 year warranty period. Opinions differ but my view is that Audi would not automatically fix it for free, even if the repair was done less than one year ago. Hopefully they would be very sympathetic and cover it under a 'goodwill' claim, but there is no obligation to do so.
If however you had paid for the repair then it would be covered under new parts warranty (2 years I think)
Let us know how you get on

Cheers Spike
 
Thanks Spike

I will check it out at the weekend, I work in the motor trade so if its a case of simply changing the link bars I can get them for about £20 a pair. hardly worth troubling Audi.

Cheers Emm
 
Audi A2 1.6 with only 44K Miles.

Have just been told I have this problem and the FAR needs to be replaced. Should I print this out and take to my Audi dealer? This is clearly a design fault!!


Best

Jonathan
 
Yes this is a known design fault and Audi do have an obligation to their customers to provide safe cars. It was not long ago that they had a recall on disc brakes which were warping prematurely in wet conditions. An anti roll bar is there for a purpose - to help keep car securely on the road during cornering. A loose anto roll bar will affect handling and possibly control. For that reason alone we need to see this as a safety issue not just a nuisance knocking noise!

Here are some other A2 recalls from VOSA:

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp
 
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Well, it was only a matter of time!

I have started to get a knocking coming from under the car when driven on even the most slightly bumpy road. Im under Audi extended warranty, should I get the ARB replced?

Also, is the car unsafe to drive in its current state? would it be an idea to get RAC out to have a look at it and take it into Audi?
 
No it is ok to drive it just gets a bit worser over time, if you got a warranty get it fixed
 
Had mine replaced yesterday at an independant garage, Rangers of Guildford - a spitting distance from Audi!!! - I got the parts on the way past and they stuck them on. I just replaced the ARB, they said see if that does the trick and if not they would do the drop links too. I got a great deal, they said they would do any other A2OC members for £150.00. Their number is 01483 531640. Seems a much smoother ride today and no clanking around undeneath.
 
Any response??

I'm thinking of doing the same as what you have done have you had any response yet Lukas?

I spent 900 odd quid on getting my anti roll bar plus links sorted and i had my front brakes (inc in that price) so im thinking it came to 500/600 quid to sort mine out.

Chantelle
 
ecoangel said:
Here is part of my letter sent by recorded post 10 July 2007:

"ANTI ROLL BAR DESIGN FAULT:
Several cars in the Audi range have suffered with anti roll bar quality issues. Had this been a Honda the issue would have been fixed by a simple recall. The TT, A4 and even new model A3 have had a re-design fix for a known design/construction fault. The A2 suffers the same issue.
The bars have been made with plastic collars that prevent the anti roll bar mounting rubbers from slipping laterally. These collars seem to have been fitted to bare metal bars before powder coating. Corrosion occurs under the plastic and even with low mileages the plastic becomes brittle and splits resulting in suspension knocking noises and affecting the vehicle’s dynamics when cornering.
The solution from Audi DE was a redesign with metal collars welded in place.
In Industry circles replacing a whole metal roll bar is unheard of unless the car is accident damaged. My other car is a race going Lancia Fulvia from 1969. The original bar is still torsionally sound and the rubbers are easily replaced with just 4 fully accessible bolts.
Many members of the A2OC have experienced these plastic collars splitting - some after just 20,000 miles from new. We have started a thread which can be viewed here:

http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5793

I enclose photos of my own recent experience. More are available on the web:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ekranoplan/Audi A2/

21/06/2007: Teeside Audi supplied the new bar and replacement rubbers after diagnosing the fault during a routine pre MoT service. The car would have failed the MoT if uncorrected.
The parts (2 off 8ZO 411 314 and one off V8ZO 411 305 L) came to £64.15 with discount but labour was quoted at £321.56.
In the end I went to an Approved/ VAG trained Audi specialist to fit the new parts and complete the alignment set up. This still cost me an extra £110 on top of parts cost.
Clearly there is an issue with the deign of the original front anti roll bars. The end users deserve better customer service. One A2OC member was charged £590.72 for the same task by an Audi Dealer. This is completely unacceptable for a job that is the result of a known Audi manufacturing fault.
Please investigate the matter further and arrange an Audi UK refund to cover parts and labour.
Yours Sincerely,"

If we all do the same there should be some response shortly.
Click to expand...

Have you had any reponse to this lukas?
 
Mines all sorted now :) New ARB fitted and also new shock absorber at the same time. Glad I paid up for the extended warranty
 
No response as yet chaps and chapesses,

Strongly suggest each of you write to the same contact in the next 2 weeks - just a short letter with a photocopy of your bill.

If that does not bring a response then I will work on some German Contact at Audi DE.

Keep up the pressure!
 
Here Is Reminder Of Contact:

Jeremy Hicks, Director
AUDI (UK) Limited,
Yeomans Drive, Blakelands,
Milton Keynes, MK14 5AN

He is quoted as saying:

“it's essential for brand promise to be matched by brand delivery”

and we all agree that brand delivery is found wanting when it comes to A2 anto roll bars!
 
Another to add to the list. I went into Stoke Audi for a service and cam belt change (they have a cam belt deal on eBay), and guess what, my ARB needed changing as well! £350 as far as I can tell from the bill. I wish I'd seen the post from Fiona about the garage in Guildford before hand as I'd have told Stoke not to bother, I live near Guildford and was only up Stoke way to go to Alton Towers!

On the bright side, Stoke have a very good customer service setup though I must be a marked man or something as I was given an A3 1.6 as a courtesy car. I actually contemplated getting my newspaper out at one point, the car is that dull and slow, no offence intended to any A3 1.6 owners!

Right, moan over. I have finished my letter and it will be in the post tomorrow. Regards

Audi A2 1.4 TDi, 01/2002, 08/2007, 73k, £350
 
Me too!, had its service today and shock horror, the collars have cracked, therefore requiring replacement.... Audi Kidlington (Oxford), who didn't even mark up my service history docs are wanting around £299, told them no thank you and that having read this forum & become a member I would be taking it up direct with Audi. Only had my car 4 months, after these threads I knew it was coming! However, one bonus, my opensky is fine............for now!!! My letter drafted this evening, with a fresh eye over it tomorrow morning.
 
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