Front 'control arm'?

[Ross]

I had the RS2 in the garage the past 3 days to replace the knackered CV joint, replace the engine mount and give it a quick check over. So they called me this afternoon to say it was done, and let me know what a hassle it was getting the correct part in - they were all the wrong size - which is a shame, as I thought I'd found somewhere that seemed happy to take on a slightly more specialist car.

They also declined to fit the engine mount - but did let me know the old one looks OK and the contact is between the downpipe and the body... makes sense but bloody annoying.

And then the bombshell - the passenger side front control arm has huge play in it, and needs replacement. But with the hassle of getting the right CV joint (which I'll no doubt end up paying an extra hour for) they aren't interested unless I provide the correct part.

My question is, is this the piece that connects to the track rod end and has a ball joint? Does wear mean i need to forfeit my track session tomorrow... I don't want to risk anything really bad happening although I have to say the car has felt OK on the road. Is it a common part and if so where can I get it from?? Really, really want to have this on the road for ADI tomorrow

[A80Avant]

It's amazing how easy garages say they don't want anything to do with rs2s... They are getting played by the hour, I don't get it!

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[Error404]

Ross by control arm I would think they mean wishbone

Got to say I'm surprised you expected anything less from a boggo garage. I won't let anyone except the alignment specialist near my car, I even begrudge the MOT man looking at it

If the engine mount is collapased its probably why the DP is touching the chassis

[Ross]

I was just looking at the ETKA diagram, i can only come to the same conclusion... balljoints were all replaced a few years back so I think that really means I just need to replace the bushes and get it re-aligned? Or is it best to get a couple of new wishbones and get 'em replaced - if so are the Lemforder ones at ECP the right part?
Suspension Arm
Wish they told me this 2 days ago

[Error404]

they'll work but you'll have forged ones on the RS2 won't you Ross? If so better and cheaper just to replace the bushes and keep the superior forged wishbones

[Ross]

I guess I'll be searching for some powerflex bushes then...

[A80Avant]

Yes, I had Rob fit the powerflex ones in front, they are very good!

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[epic]

Ditto powerflex works very well on the front.

[Fat Audi 80]

You will be wanting superflex or powerflex bushes in there then Ross if they are damaged. I am not surprised by some garages lack of interest in these older cars either.

It is possible for them to have some play in the wishbone bushes and the car still drive okay...

[Colesy]

There's a chance Aelred might have some if not then he should know where to get some + he's in Swindon.

[macspring]

Ross,

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50272&page=4

Post number 155 shows the front lower wishbones as the more desirable cast style, for which rubber oem type bushes will not be an off the shelf item.

IMHO, if money is not an overriding issue, immediately buy two new pressed steel ones, and matching ball joints, fit them yourself tonight and get the car aligned and you'll made ADI.

These cars often lead to desperate measures when it goes pear shaped, BTDT loads of times. Your priors dictate you know the sort of stuff I'm talking about.

You can then take your time having the cast wishbones' bushes pressed out, order oem rubber bushes which are unique to the cast ones, I'm pretty sure, or fit superflex bushes, once you've ordered them from somewhere (?).

As you doing this you may as well have the cast wishbones sand or vapour blasted and either powder coated or painted with POR15. Don't powder coat or paint with POR15 where the bushes go when if you're using the oem rubber bushes as it makes them much more difficult to press in. A thin spray of primer is a good idea though. This clearance issue is not as critical with the after market plastic bushes as they are more flexible, than the outer metal casing of the oem bushes.

Also as you'll want to have it aligned only once more, buy new cast wishbone ball joints. These are definitely different to the ball joints for the pressed steel wishbones.

Once you do all that, you should have to look at the wishbones for years.

If you fit rubber bushes to either the cast or the steel wishbones, make sure to only tighten the two bolts in either side of the sub frame when the car's weight is on its wheels. If you tighten them while the wishbones are hanging down in mid air it will "tear" the rubber wishbone bushes prematurely when the car's weight is back on it's wheel and in use. Hope this makes sense.

Notwithstanding all of the above, the garage may have been fobbing you off and the wishbones may be still usable for ADI? Check play using a big screwdriver, as a type of tyre lever, when the car is jacked up and the wheels are hanging to see how much the can be wishbones "moved" about.

I feel your annoyance, but with these cars you can only rely on yourself, (and S2forum for info), if you don't want to be let down.

Kind regards.

[Error404]

The pressed and forged wishbones use the same balljoint, you don't need new ones

[Keeper of The Kitten]

Is this a stealer Ross? The last time (and I do mean LAST time) I ever went to one, they declined to fit any supplied part, as opposed to your experience here that they won't fit it unless you supply it!

[epic]

Also Euro Car parts 25% discount of parts using code CRAZY25

To Quote David in Dublin
IMHO, if money is not an overriding issue, immediately buy two new pressed steel ones, and matching ball joints, fit them yourself tonight and get the car aligned and you'll made ADI.

[Ross]

It's an independent.. great with the Golf, usually pretty flexible and conveniently next door to the train station so I can dump it when i goto work and pick it up when I return. They seemed pretty keen to take the RS2 on when I spoke to them a week ago! I had a chat to the bloke and he is happy to do the job with supplied parts. But this reminds me why I now do as much work as I can in the garage...

Unfortunately the soonest ECP could have got parts in was tomorrow noon so I'm just gonna check the play, hopefully take it to ADI, and then sort it next week.