Diagnosing ARB / drop links

nolan

nolan

A2OC Donor
My A2 has always had a metallic knocking which I'm 90% sure is the ARB, so much so that I've preemptively ordered the Meyle drop link and bushes kit after reading the mega ARB thread on here.
www.ebay.co.uk

AUDI A2 00-05 MEYLE HD FRONT ANTI ROLL BAR LINKS AND BUSHES | eBay

2 x STANDARD BUSHES. APPLICATION GUIDE MAKE MODEL YEAR AUDI. 2 x FRONT HEAVY DUTY (HD) LINK RODS. We will always help you to have a 100% positive happy buying experience.
www.ebay.co.uk

What I'm not complete sure about it how to prove the ARB is the issue, my plan is to get the front of the car on axle stands minus front wheels, remove the drop links and see if there is play in the ARB itself, will this work?

The knocking is almost always present on bumpy roads and goes away when one side is loaded, i.e. roundabouts or long sweeping bends, I see from the pile of history with the car that there have been repairs involving greasing the ARB bushes (from memory, not got the paperwork in front of me) but no actual bar or drop link replacement.

Car is a 52 plate 75hp diesel if that makes a difference.
 
I can't help you much as never solved it before trading the car out, but Lasi, my much missed 1.4 petrol, knocked over bumps badly, seemed to be from the nearside.

I found one ARB link was absolutely hanging off so changed that (for a Meyle). Prepared myself for a lovely quiet drive and it was just as bad! Gave the ARB itself a good wiggle with a bar and there really didn't seem to be anything knock-worthy there. I'd already had the top mount apart and regreased, that seemed fine. Also tried taking the weight off the wheels and crowbarring up and down under the tyre- still nothing. No obvious play anywhere when gripping the road-wheel in any direction.

At that point I stupidly traded the car out (which is another story). In retrospect, I wonder if there was play in the shock absorber.

The nice thing with this work is that even if it doesn't sort the problem on the first hit you are certainly improving the car anyway. All of these parts are often due as result of age / miles: heavy service items if you like.
 
Last edited:
The new drop links and bushes are here, just need to find time to go and take a look at its now.
 
Interesting, I tool have knock from left side, droplink has only a small amount of play, top mount I reckon Is at fault in my case.
 
I'm not 100% as to the source of my knock but this kit was relatively cheap so I'm going to give it a go.
 
Worth also checking the tightness of the strut top mount. Had a bit of a knock on mine when going uneven roads; thought ARB bushes and drop links but found the top mount loose. Good luck!
 
If the knock occurs when the wheels are turned at low speed, it will be droplinks. Play is very hard to find.
If you haven't had the ARB Bushes replaced in some time, do them; it's an hour's work and worth it. Don't forget to replace teh stretch bolts on the brackets holding the ARB to the subframe, and you can only tighten them fully when there is weight on the wheels.

- Bret
 
bretti_kivi said:
If the knock occurs when the wheels are turned at low speed, it will be droplinks. Play is very hard to find.
If you haven't had the ARB Bushes replaced in some time, do them; it's an hour's work and worth it. Don't forget to replace teh stretch bolts on the brackets holding the ARB to the subframe, and you can only tighten them fully when there is weight on the wheels.

- Bret
Click to expand...

It's the ARB bushes I suspect most but happy to do the drop links on the way as they don't look great.

Is there an online source for the stretch bolts?
 
It was the drop links, removed the drivers side first and immediately I could wiggle the end of the ARB and hear the joint on the other end rattling.

ARB and bushes looked in good condition so not sure what has already been replaced on the car.

Both drop links were slightly different, one side had 17mm nuts and the other side 15mm nuts so I guess at least one had failed at some point. Went for a test drive and enjoyed the lack of rattles, very pleased :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top