Rear Tie Arm - Creaky - Need options people

[mark_S3]

Right people....

NSR started creaking yesterday. Been out to look and found this....

Pictures taken from underside at the NSR. You can tell its going to crack at any time but looking through the spokes of the alloy I think it's started to crack from the top downwards.

I presume this is my creaking noise as spring and ARB/links look ok.

Haven't got anyone around to rock the rear whilst I listen closely, but does sound like it's the Upper Tie Arm.

Unfortunately I haven't taken wheel off as the weather looks bad. Will whip it off tomorrow to have a better look.

Anyway what are my options?

I'm looking at slightly lowering it in the future. Maybe no more than 30mm with decent shocks. Probably more than likely Polybush the ARB as I'm in the process of doing the fronts.

Should I go standard Arms?
Problem is I've spent a fortune recently on other areas on the car and Xmas so my budget is slim.

More than likely will be going to a garage for fitting, as even though I'm go with a spanner don't fancy jacking car up, axle stands and doing this job on my back.
My back isn't in best of conditions so definitely a Garage job for me.

Please could someone advise what's my best route on parts?

Thank You.

 

[JimS3]

Ouch... I would not be driving that car anywhere until that's fixed.

New arms are £75 each from Audi / TPS, so £150 to get both side top arms done.
Seems a bit mad not to get a set of S3Daves arms in the current group buy:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/205550-**group-buy**-quattro-tie-arms.html

I would also chande the bush / joint in the top of the hub. The original part is a rose joint with rubber seals each end, the seals were not very reliable and let water in. This caused the joint to seize and then weaken the control arms, causing them to snap.

There was a revised rose joint with better seals, but this still gave problems. The latest part is a bonded metal rubber bush, you can no longer buy the rose joint versions.

Changing the top arms is an easy DIY job. Can be mostly done through the wheel arch after the wheel is removed.

 

[mark_S3]

Cheers JimS3.... Great help. Yes I've seen Dave's Arms but never been in the hunt for these til now.

Wasn't the rose joint on the lower arm? Sorry just its abit new to me.

Car has done 134,000miles so I presume it was recalled before although I have no proof, but them joints only last around 60,000. Must of been replaced in the past.
Any decent picture of an exposed rose joint so once I whip wheel off tomorrow I can see what I'm looking at.

Mine was registered in Jan 2000, so was in the recall period.

 

[JimS3]

Cheers JimS3.... Great help. Yes I've seen Dave's Arms but never been in the hunt for these til now.

Wasn't the rose joint on the lower arm? Sorry just its abit new to me.

Car has done 134,000miles so I presume it was recalled before although I have no proof, but them joints only last around 60,000. Must of been replaced in the past.
Any decent picture of an exposed rose joint so once I whip wheel off tomorrow I can see what I'm looking at.

Mine was registered in Jan 2000, so was in the recall period.

Rose joint was originally in top and bottom. Mine is a 1999 so 'should' have been recalled. But still had a rose joint up to this summer when I swapped them out for the bonded metal bushes. One side was free enough, but the other joint was really stiff and on the way out.

I still had the small bush wishbones too, think mine must have missed all the recalls

Oh and I have some of S3Daves early arms, really good bits of kit!

 

[mark_S3]

Jim...
I've PM'd Dave although I can't wait that long for a pair. Hopefully he has a set lying around that I can collect from him ASAP.

 

[mark_S3]

Any guides or sources on the bonded metal ones Jim.

Need to total up parts so I can budget my spends!

 

[JimS3]

Jim...
I've PM'd Dave although I can't wait that long for a pair. Hopefully he has a set lying around that I can collect from him ASAP.

If you get really stuck I have an arm kicking around in the garage you can have have for a couple of quid.
It has no signs of any cracking and it might get you out of trouble until you can get arms off Dave.

 

[JimS3]

Any guides or sources on the bonded metal ones Jim.

Need to total up parts so I can budget my spends!

Dealer only part. Part number: 1J0 505 203. About £12 including VAT. (each)

 

[mark_S3]

Dealer only part. Part number: 1J0 505 203. About £12 including VAT. (each)

Cheers Jim.... A trip to Audi or TPS for me.

What's involved in fitting of the Bush?

 

[mark_S3]

If you get really stuck I have an arm kicking around in the garage you can have have for a couple of quid.
It has no signs of any cracking and it might get you out of trouble until you can get arms off Dave.

I'll bear that in mind, although don't fancy doing the job twice.

Thanks for the offer.

 

[JimS3]

Here's a pic of the rose joint and later bonded rubber bush. The bush protruded about 5mm each side of the hoop in the hub, so its easy to identify which you have:



This Also looks like a decent enough DIY guide:

The Audi TT Forum :: View topic - DIY replacement of the rear traverse link rose joint/ bushes

Changing an arm is really easy, just 2 bolts. This bushes can be a bit of a pain.

 

[mark_S3]

Jim... You are a legend. Thank you. ;-)

 

[mark_S3]

Going to do a temporary fix on the arm.
Replacing it for a standard one till I can get hold of s3dave and order some adjustable ones.

Also ordered some bonded metal bushes.

So planning on replacing the arm and give all the other rose joints a clean and grease for the time being.

 

[superkarl]

I was going to say, but you obv know that now.
The only reason its cracked is because the rose joint in the hub has seized.

I really want to replace all mine with rubber bushes one day. Better ride and piece of mind.

 

[mark_S3]

I was going to say, but you obv know that now.
The only reason its cracked is because the rose joint in the hub has seized.

I really want to replace all mine with rubber bushes one day. Better ride and piece of mind.

Yeah just going to give them abit of TLC for time being.
In the meantime going to get Dave's adjustable ones. And I might aswell get some other polybushes.
Then just replace the upper arms for adjustables, polybush a few things, New bonded metal bushes at back of hub, New bolts then give the lower arm a sand down, rust treatment, spray up and fit. Get it all done at once.
Maybe even get a new ARB. Might aswell do a proper job.

 

[epox]

See Dave re the bushes he supplied a set for my tie arms a while ago, that way your old arms will be the same as those supplied with your new adjustable,.
Mark