Wishbones / Suspension bits from Germany - Anyone used them?

Needs to get out more Joined: Mar 02, 2011 Posts: 113

I reckon I need wishbones for the upcoming MOT on the 80 TDI Avant. I spotted this on ebay, and thought it might be worth a look, but obviously buying from abroad brings some extra risks.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KIT-COMPLETE-WISHBONES-SUSPENSION-ARMS-FRONT-LH-RH-AUDI-80-B4-8-PARTS-/230720711207?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b806aa27#ht_4658wt_1283

Any experience on the parts quality, or the service from this seller?

Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:25 pm

Mike

I bought some front control arms for my A6 around Dec 2010 for the MOT, come Dec 2011 they needed to be replaced again after just 6K miles
These were ATP parts, bought direct from German ebay.

Can’t say whether it was poor quality or a one off but I don’t think I would part money for more of them. However, I did get a full refund as they were under a 2 year guarantee so no big loss.

I’d say pick up a set of Powerflex wishbone bushes which will last near forever and are easier to fit and the other bits are 10 a penny off ebay or motor factor, don’t think it will cost much more than the listing

Cheers
Andy

Needs to get out more Joined: Jun 11, 2008 Posts: 149

I have had these on my car for a year without any issues. They still look and feel like new.

I've only done 4k though.

Needs to get out more Joined: Mar 02, 2011 Posts: 113

Thanks for the replies, guys. I emailed ATP to ask who the manufacturer was, and got the answer that 'we use a variety of European suppliers ... OE Quality... blah blah'.

Combined with the extra risk of shipping from Germany, I decided against using them.

I took the easy way out and bought Lemforder ones from GSF this morning instead. Lemforder do a lot of OE supply to manufacturers, so hopefully these will be up to the job. GSF do a cheap version and Lemforder are the 'BQ' one. Cost me about £40 quid inc vat, with a bit of Club GTI discount.

I had thought about poly bushes, but I didn't want to make the job any more complicated than it needs to be - added complexity would be getting the old bushes out, or finding the supplied bushes don't fit, etc...

Once I've got a spare set of 'bones off the car, then I can do that separately.

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:52 pm

Apologies if you know this, but the weight of the car needs to be on the front wheels/hubs when you tighten the wishbone bush pivot bolts. This reduces the twisting action which causes the bushes to fail. Lemforder supply VAG these days, so should be ok for the older stuff?