Information Control arm woes

A

A2aus

New Member
I have a lovely A2 1.4 petrol, which failed its MOT last month because of a front right control arm

Local garage is advising me to scrap
It because they can’t locate a particular “bracket” or fixing? They say this part is no longer available

Is this likely? & is there anything I can do? We have had this car from new, it’s a wonderful runner

Any help / advice appreciated
 
if this is the lower wishbone (that is the only think I can think would be described as a 'control arm') then they are available from lenford and other suppliers. best to change as a pair as the pattern parts are likely not 100% the same dimension as the OEM ones.
Also available in cast or pressed steel, cast is the prefered version
also available second hand, try the market place on A2OC
certainly do not scrap an otherwise good A2 because of this issue
lastly I would look for another garage if they are telling you to scrap the car because of this

Cheers, and best of luck with the repair
Paul
 
Profile states car is a 2004 so that will be pressed arms. Choice you have is to replace the PAIR with cast arms or just replace the right one with another pressed arm. At a later date you can replace the left arm for another pressed arm. Reason for this is AUDI state that either a pair of pressed or a pair of cast arm but no mixing and matching.

The good news is the pressed arm is not handed just the fitting of the separate ball joint on the upper face dictates the side it is fitted to.
 
audifan said:
Profile states car is a 2004 so that will be pressed arms. Choice you have is to replace the PAIR with cast arms or just replace the right one with another pressed arm. At a later date you can replace the left arm for another pressed arm. Reason for this is AUDI state that either a pair of pressed or a pair of cast arm but no mixing and matching.

The good news is the pressed arm is not handed just the fitting of the separate ball joint on the upper face dictates the side it is fitted to.
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Thanks for getting back to me. I’ve asked the garage for the part number for the part they cannot get? He keeps saying it’s a bracket? I assumed he was talking about a point in the car where control arm attaches to the body? Is it likely they can’t source this part ? I make sure I heft the part number tomorrow, maybe this would help clarify. This is a lovely car, hardly cost any money to repair, I think my profile says 2004 but actually is 2002, I’ll change that error.
 
so on a 2002 it could be the cast arm if an early 2002 or the pressed steel if a latter 2002
it is possible the garage are talking about the console, the aluminium casting that the wishbone attaches to via the rubber bushes, if it is then a second hand one will be availabe from members within A2OC Try @A2Steve @Clackers

paul
 
Welcome to the great A2 forum/owners club.

Have a read here and get acquainted with the issue.

Check your front suspension arms people

Here are some photographs of the offside front lower suspension arm of my '03 reg 1.4Tdi A2 - after it collapsed while I was driving it, fortunately at low speed (as I was on a single-track country road, with passing places, and had just braked to let a car come from the other direction). Had...
www.a2oc.net


All the best and as mentioned above definitely don't scrap it, that's nuts 😲
 
When undoing the wishbone, no matter which type, from the console (aka bracket) it happens that the front long screw snaps or ruins the thread in the console. This is probably why the workshop deems it necessary to exchange the console.
 
depronman said:
so on a 2002 it could be the cast arm if an early 2002 or the pressed steel if a latter 2002
it is possible the garage are talking about the console, the aluminium casting that the wishbone attaches to via the rubber bushes, if it is then a second hand one will be availabe from members within A2OC Try @A2Steve @Clackers

paul
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Great that starts to ring bells, mechanic is describing something like that to me (it has to be in non tech way). So I guess you are confirming we can’t get this kind of part new any more?
 
Joga said:
When undoing the wishbone, no matter which type, from the console (aka bracket) it happens that the front long screw snaps or ruins the thread in the console. This is probably why the workshop deems it necessary to exchange the console.
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Thank you, I think you’ve got it exactly !!! This is very much what is being described to me. I think they are talking about drilling it out? I need to see if I can source ones from some of the guys here, if not, what would my options be ? (Other than scrap )
 
they 'may' still be available from Audi, but the price might make you sit down sharpish
A second hand one will just as good especially if you can get it with the wishbone (ideally cast type) already attached, if you can buy the pair even if you only fit one (assuming they are the same as your originals, as stated above do not mix pressed steel and cast arms

Paul
 
Certainly if you can obtain consoles with the wishbones already fitted will greatly cut down the work and time to replace. So much so that replacing both will take far less time than fitting separate parts to one side. Strongly advise 4 wheel tracking be done afterwards.
 
depronman said:
they 'may' still be available from Audi, but the price might make you sit down sharpish
A second hand one will just as good especially if you can get it with the wishbone (ideally cast type) already attached, if you can buy the pair even if you only fit one (assuming they are the same as your originals, as stated above do not mix pressed steel and cast arms

Paul
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Sure thing. Does the A2 & VW Polo share any parts, specifically this console part, does anyone know, I keep seeing discussions online where people refer to polo & A2 share suspension parts ?
 
Welcome aboard. The importance of the right garage with these little cars is paramount. They are far too specialised for "yer average" mechanic and most of the guys who worked on them when they were new have long since retired. Have a word with Gary at B&F Autos in West Hounslow, he may be able to help. He might even have a "value for money" transport guy up his sleeve. Hugely capable on A2 and doesn't charge stupid money. Do not, in any circumstance, allow a one owner car to be sentenced to death by a garage who clearly don't "know their onions"

Best of luck.
 
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A2aus said:
Sure thing. Does the A2 & VW Polo share any parts, specifically this console part, does anyone know, I keep seeing discussions online where people refer to polo & A2 share suspension parts ?
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There are ones available for other models that can be used, Polo and VW Fox

Have a look here

VW Polo Front Suspension Console

Hi folks Is the front aluminium suspension console the same for a mk4 Polo (2002 on) the same as what fits an A2? Thanks
www.a2oc.net www.a2oc.net

Check the part number against yours, but it looks like 6Q0 199 294 D fits.
 
It's worth noting that the consoles are available from Audi Tradition (though not cheap). However, I don't see why the entire things would need replacing, rather than just the console bushes which can be removed and replaced.
 
Exe_Chris said:
It's worth noting that the consoles are available from Audi Tradition (though not cheap). However, I don't see why the entire things would need replacing, rather than just the console bushes which can be removed and replaced.
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The threads can get damaged on removal.
 
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