Parts Advice

OldBanger

Member
Hello, I need some advice on parts from an experienced person.



My Y-reg, tdi has failed its MOT on both track-rod ends ball joints and a coil spring.



the coil spring I can leave to a garage to do, since I don’t own a decent spring compressor. I've been quoted £200 for this job (which I’m reluctantly prepared to pay).



So the main issue is the track rod ends (garage quoted £70/80 each). I can do this kind of job myself ( though I will need the tracking setting professionally afterward.)



Thing is - many years ago; I purchased a track rod end from ebay - which turned out to be utter rubbish and thrown in the bin (pattern part). At that time - I instead scrapped the cash together to have it replaced at the garage (with an Audi part, via an ex Audi engineer - starbeck , great chap called Dave). This time - I need to keep cost down and do it myself.



SO.. (eventually , getting to the question ,,,LOL).



Can anyone (who is experienced, like ;I think a chap on here called Skipton ? - from memory) - recommend any track rod ends on ebay , or a company which can post them to me?


(I dont want to scrap the car, but can't justify spending £500+ for the repairs- I need to keep the cost down)

cheers
Banger
 
@A2Steve and @Clackers would be a good starting point. Ethical breaking of life expired cars critically help keep others on the road - cost-effectively. Worth a punt - though sometimes it is worth buying new, as the newest second hand parts are clearly years old still.
 
Use Meyle brand track rod ends.

As for the springs, you don’t need spring compressors. Jack the car up and support on axle stands. Remove the bolt holding the bottom of the shock to the axle, then get someone to put their weight on the top of the wheel. The spring will just fall out.

Refit the new spring (and spring cup), get the person to get off the wheel. Refot the bolt and bobs your uncle. Certainly not a job I would pay £200 for!!!!!

Edit - Sorry. I for some reason read this as being the rear springs 🤦‍♂️
 
If it’s the front springs that need to be replaced then it would be well worth changing the shocks and top mounts at the same time, it’s the same work involved so they shouldn’t charge any extra. You may even find that they HAVE to change the top mounts when doing the job as if original they will be quite deteriorated.
 
For New Parts mjd128 eBay Shop ( MJD Motorsport ). Never had any problem with quality of A2 Parts from them. Had a few Parts recently and they were the lowest prices I could find. Delivered Free :- Genuine Meyle Camshaft Position Sensor. Mintex Front Discs and Pads.

Yes Rear Springs are a doddle to change. Did them myself, with a bit of help from Mrs U.

Steve U
 
the coil spring I can leave to a garage to do, since I don’t own a decent spring compressor. I've been quoted £200 for this job (which I’m reluctantly prepared to pay).

Would it not be worth getting yourself a decent spring compressor and doing this yourself?

Incidentally, springs don't need to be replaced in pairs providing you stick to the same make and model of spring. Shocks however should be replaced in pairs.
 
If you're reluctant to tackle the spring yourself, it may be worth contacting Paul @depronman and seeing if he could help.

Paul is in St Annes, so not a million miles from yourself.
 
Thank you all (Darren,Steve,Steve and Beetle)

I just found out Andrew Pages closed during the pandemic - what a shame.

I found GSF car parts near me (moved to east coast from yorkshire)- but they no longer stock the part -anywhere. So used ebay and the mjd128 chap - parts due 14th - just in time for a heat wave.

yeah - front spring, once I get the wheel off , ill have a look - i'll decide weather to invest in a compressor.. I did the back one a couple of years back - how you said :)

I worry if it goes pear shaped (coil change)– I’m stuck and will have to pay for the car to be transported to the garage.

I’ll keep an update of the job (ill come back for advice as I tackle the track rod ends)

Cheers again

Banger
 
If you were nearer to me I would loan you some spring compressors . I've checked the cheapest I can find at the moment are some hilka ones from Toolstation 21.99 which seems pretty fair . If you do borrow some better to get the ones like this with two hooks as they are less likely to slip therefore safer. The older single hook ones are more compact but there is a risk of them slipping . Why they were replaced . Still should make it economic to do the job at this price. Hope you get sorted . Don't scrap it you will regret it . Good luck

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Compressing the springs is pretty straightforward and having done this a number of times it's still a squeaky bum moment, just take your time and constantly check and re check all is going well.
The ball ache is removing the top nuts to free the shock so it can be dropped, especially on the side where the brake fluid resevioy is.
If you like the car and you think you can't manage the job, get some more quotes and then decide.
 
Just wondered how you got on with sorting the suspension ? Hope it was a success for you.

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