A3 wishbone v S3 wishbones

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b1gdave83

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I'm looking replacing the wishbones on 2001 A3 Quattro

Just looking at new wishbones, does anyone know if there is a difference between the S3 ones and A3 Quattro?
 
S3 wishbones are cast and I think as a result heavier, they have different ball joints and have adjustability (not much but some at least) in the camber through the ball joint mounting.

I am not sure but S3 wishbones may widen the track as the S3 has wider arches to fill. The maybe other differences but they are the ones I am currently aware of.

I also understand the hub carriers are different on the S3, may not be relevant but as the ball joint fixes into this then it may be an issue.

The only other thing I can think of is the rear bush. On A3's they have voids in them... the S3 ones do not and are therefore stiffer giving better control under braking. A simple yet effective upgrade is to fit these bushes into the A3 arm (along with Powerflex for the front bush).

Why do you need to replace the arms?

Audi have a tendency to sell you the arm complete as its more cost effective for them to replace the arm than just the bushes... this is however based on their hourly rate. If you are doing it yourself then just buy the bushes and press them in with a vice or ask a local garage to do it for a lot cheaper.

<tuffty/>
 
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As stated hub carriers deffo different, and the wishbones are pressed steel. They do have the adjustable balljoints FWIW

I would use the std arms but put TT non voided bushes in to tighten the front end up slightly
 
Just fitted an S3 front subframe to our golf and as far as I can tell the track is the same but part of the reason I did it was for the better wishbones as well as the quicker steering rack.

There is some adjustment in the golf balljoint for camber but not as much as the s3 ones.

Try checking on VAGcat site to be sure http://www.vagcat.com/epc/

Maybe worth looking at the ARB too. If it mounts to the wishbone then they are not the same as s3 as they link up to the strut platform.
 
Thanks guys

As per my other thread, my anti roll bar keeps moving to one side!!

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=79801

I've replaced the anti roll bar mounts, bushes and drop links but it still keeps doing it.

So the next job was to change the wish bones just incase there bent, basically i'm going to change everything at the front see if i can stop it from happening.

As i was going to replace them i was just seeing if using a S3 ones was a virable upgrade. but guess not. I've got power flex bushes for A3 wishbones but not fitted. I didn't want to put them in, just to find out later it was bent slightly.

I have only recenlty got this car, upgrade from my previous 1.8t AGU front wheel drive.
 
b1gdave83 said:
I'm looking replacing the wishbones on 2001 A3 Quattro

Just looking at new wishbones, does anyone know if there is a difference between the S3 ones and A3 Quattro?
Click to expand...


Are you buying soon. I'm about to replace both my front w/bs and looking for a good place to buy other than VW/Audi, at a reasonable price.

The issue I have is that some place, ie ECR, list about 10 different A3 TQS wishbones, and others seem to only differentiate between A3 and S3, but given that the TQS is 4WD it has different wishbones to an A3 and S3, so hoping for some clwar pointers on what to buy and where to buy from.

Thanks

:)
 
audi upgrades
If you have no anti roll bar sleeves to stop it moving then it is going to move, get a new arb
 
SixDegrees said:
Are you buying soon. I'm about to replace both my front w/bs and looking for a good place to buy other than VW/Audi, at a reasonable price.

The issue I have is that some place, ie ECR, list about 10 different A3 TQS wishbones, and others seem to only differentiate between A3 and S3, but given that the TQS is 4WD it has different wishbones to an A3 and S3, so hoping for some clwar pointers on what to buy and where to buy from.

Thanks

:)
Click to expand...

Not sure about the back, from what i can make out the front wishbones are the same as 8L front wheel drive ones. http://www.vwspares.co.uk/a3suspension.php £22.95.

you can check http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/au/A3/ online parts. you will need to register
 
b1gdave83 said:
Not sure about the back, from what i can make out the front wishbones are the same as 8L front wheel drive ones. http://www.vwspares.co.uk/a3suspension.php £22.95.

you can check http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/au/A3/ online parts. you will need to register
Click to expand...


I looked at VW spares and it seems like they're the same, but I looked on ECP and eBay and they seem to state A3 (not Quattro) and the Q models listed differently.

VGAcat states same part no for FWD and Quattro for the front wishbones, S3 is different (I registered!)



Ta!
 
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