Anti Roll Bar Replacement Thread

The ARB on my original A2 1.6FSI was replaced under warranty by the dealer just before the car's warranty expired (Aug-05). It was an SE model but fitted with 17" A2 Sport OEM wheels. I'd taken the precaution of booking it in for an early MOT ~ it failed on the ARB! No problem with getting it replaced under warranty. Dealer said it was a known issue for A2, S3(Mk1) & TT(Mk1) models.
 
Likewise, one month left on warranty and have had the ARB's replaced and tracking re set, no quibble just quoted the details of the problem from this site.

doctor
 
I've bought a new ARB, bushes and drop links to solve this. Very bad rattling at the front over anything but even ground. I'll probably fit it myself but it still cost £130 or so for the parts.

'01 1.4SE Petrol. 38k

Steve
 
just had service (3rd variable - 75k) at Shrewsbury audi
v.good
Knew the ARB was needing to replaced
quote for parts and labour, £258 - doesn't seem too bad

regards
Glen
 
Even £100 is too bad!

This is a known fault - please write to Audi UK as in previous posts

Thanks
 
I am with you and I will write to Audi UK, however with the likelihood that Audi will:
1. ignore the letter
2. offer me some platitudes but no recompense

I think the cost in comparison with other owners experiences is fair.
If I am wrong and people have had some joy from audi, I would welcome any response
ta
Glen
 
At 22,025 miles off side drop link was removed and replaced under warranty.
At 30,473 miles anti roll bar and bushes were replaced along with top strutt mounts. Carried out under warranty. Car just 3yrs old.
1.4 tdi, 03.
H
 
Had a response to my letter yesterday stating that they 'have passed my details to Audi Stoke with a view to ensuring an appropriate resolution'. Further stating that 'Audi Centres are empowered to make decisions on behalf of Audi UK'.

I have no idea what this means, I can only presume that they are wasting time. Any ideas? I will keep you informed of any further developments.

Regards

Damien
 
This is also a corrosion issue - the arb was not treated under the plastic collars so it rusts and then breaks the collar.

So you could try the 10 year anti corrosion angle with your dealer.


But keep writing to Audi UK - if 3 write maybe zero but 10 or more should make the issue noticable.

Maybe we need a facebook protest a la Student v UK Bank overdraughts !
 
Not So Expensive Fix

When my roll bar bushes failed about 18 months ago, i found out that the VW Polo suffered the same problem.
On the polo the collars on the roll bar where disgarded and new design bushes fitted with a much smaller diameter hole.Removed the collars,fitted the new bushes,job done! In all the parts cost around £5 and i have not had any problems with the roll bar since.Why do Audi not tell you about this fix which VW use on the Polo.
The bushes fit into the same metal clamps so no need to replace these either.
Hope this is of help,Brads.
 
brads said:
When my roll bar bushes failed about 18 months ago, i found out that the VW Polo suffered the same problem.
On the polo the collars on the roll bar where disgarded and new design bushes fitted with a much smaller diameter hole.Removed the collars,fitted the new bushes,job done! In all the parts cost around £5 and i have not had any problems with the roll bar since.Why do Audi not tell you about this fix which VW use on the Polo.
The bushes fit into the same metal clamps so no need to replace these either.
Hope this is of help,Brads.
Click to expand...

brads, did you do this yourself, or did you get a garage to do it?
mine is just about to be replaced, however if it is a quick and cheap job will stop audi ordering the ARB.
cheers
Glen
 
expensive or what!!

I had mine replaced by Sinclair Audi in Bridgend in South Wales Feb 2006. They didn't identify the fault at first, even after a test drive by their mechanic. I insisted on them putting it on the ramp and hey presto,knackered roll bar. The work was promptly carried out. I live 100miles from a dealer and they re-scheduled the work list and put my job in as a priority. The roll bar was replaced, I don't know what the end bushes were were replaced with. I had to have a 4 wheel alignment and two new tyres bringing the total cost to £588.18. The dealer was friendly and the service manager was helpful but talk of Audi covering costs of replacement and recalls doesn't seem to register. Audi should shoulder some of the cost when there is a potentially dangerous fault that is part of the steering and traction component of the car. So many of these components have failed and because they are being missed at MOT's, mine was for two years, this exposes Audi to serious neglect of a potentially dangerous component failure.
I first found out about the problem braking on a corner with a negative camber. At first I thought the loss of control was due to eneven tyre pressures, tyres checked the it was off to the dealer for further investigation!!!!

let's hope their is a result from Audi. I have no other complaints about the car and intend to keep it for many more years.

Audiman
 
martings said:
brads, did you do this yourself, or did you get a garage to do it?
mine is just about to be replaced, however if it is a quick and cheap job will stop audi ordering the ARB.
cheers
Glen
Click to expand...

Hi Glen,
i had my local garage fit the bushes.
I had bought the new style roll bar,bushes and brackets from Links Audi in Macclesfield,but they wanted silly money to fit them so booked the car into Alderley Motors to have them fitted.They had had a VW Polo in the previous day with the same problem,hence finding out about the VW bushes.I bought the new bushes from SKF VW in Stockport.Bushes did the job a treat and cost £25-£30 to fit.Took the Audi roll bar,Audi bushes and brackets back to Links for a refund.Told them about how VW had introduced different bushes for the Polo to sort out the same problem as the A2 suffers from. (needless to say,this fell on deaf ears apart from them saying that they could not comment on VW's fix for the ARB as the bushes code was VW, not Audi) .
As i said earlier they have worked fine for the last 18 months and no problem to date.
Will try to find out the VW part number for the bushes (have not been able to find the original receipt)but they had the same code number as Audi but followed by a different letter.
Cheers Brads
 
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VW Bushes

Hi Glen,
found the original receipt for the bushes from Smith Knight Fay VW in Stockport.The part number is as follows:

V6Q0 411 314 N 029F05* RUBBER MOU

The unit price was £1.94 each. Total inclusive of vat was £4.56.
Hope this is of help, Brads.
 
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brads - appreciate the effort, i think this clearly appears to be a better solution than spending £250 in my case.
I am fortunate my local garage in wrenbury have some good blokes so will get them to do it.
thanks again
Will feedback results
regards
Glen
 
Can somebody help me in finding a good Audi approved garage to carry out repairs as I am not willing to take it to Audi dealers anymore because of their disgusting labour fees. I am in Oxford but don't mind travelling at all if it will save me money in the long run. Having had its service the paperwork advises my collars are broken? Have rung Guildford as Fiona mentioned but closed at weekends, will try again in the week, but any help would be appreciated.
 
Try APS in Brackley. They are superb on any Audi & VW car. General servicing & upgrades. I only have a connection with them as a very satisfied customer.
 
Thank you, only 33 miles from me..... a great saving, after all, it looks as though I have no choice but to have the work carried out.
 
How to diagnose droplinks/arb problem?

Could someone explicitly tell me what the symptoms of this problem are?
What would I hear/feel if my car were to be affected and if raised on a ramp, how can I visualise the problem?

Many thanks,
im333
 
Ok, am biting the bullet, I want the work done for peace of mind, quotes so far for replacement, APC £215, Audi Oxford £275 (came down a whole £20) once I mentioned APC quote. Can anyone out there do any better?
 
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