passat suspension replacement...your advice please!

attila_

Well i posted this on vw forums but i think it may be more applicable here...

I have a passat tdi 2003 with quite a complex front suspension (twice as many arms as normal cars!) It has 6 arms/joints on each side of the car which can wear out.

Its been knocking and i have pin pointed the guilty arm. I have also noticed two other arms have perished. This is all on drivers side.

My dilema is this:

i could take it to a garage (vw indie specialist at 50/hr) and get three of the 6 arms and joints replaced...

Or

buy the complete kit for both sides (300 quid) containing 12 arms and joints and try to replace it myself. My experience of diy is ok i have replaced a clutch on a 205 but thats about as difficult as i have done. This should take a day per side. Then tracking is needed.

How much do u think a garage like the one mentioned would charge for three arms?

Really really struggling on the finance considerations of this...any help would be greatly appreciated!

Flying-High_2

Do it yourself and do all the arms....

Loads of cheap arms about on ebay and the like and they dont last it'll be kncoking and creaking in no time..... Have a look at the likes of AVS they sell VAG bits... Theirs are listed as being made by Febi.. They should be pretty much OE spec and will last.

Have a google for swapping the arms should be guides out there I should imagine and have a look at the "pinch bolt"... Can be a pig of a bolt to remove... so have new ones for a reassembly incase they're butchered.

Elcheapo arm kits are on ebay for under £150 my mates just told me.... Upto you but I'd go for the better parts if planning on keeping the car.

leosayer

The Youtube video below might help. It's from an Audi A6 but I think the suspension arrangement is similar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrYAAtlsjnY&playnext=1&list=PLA30F13306CEBD3DA

attila_

Glad i found someone who knows what i'm talking about! Thank you.

Yes i found a febi kit for 270 but will need some extra tools so probably 300. Have found a few guides and very scared of those pinch bolts. Alredy sprayed them with gt80. The guide seems fairly straight forward but its still that niggling fear.

Think i may take the plunge and go for it. I hand on heart think it would be cheaper to buy the whole kit...let alone considering the long run.

I plan to keep the car for a while. Mote thoughts/advice very welcome

attila_

leosayer wrote: »

The Youtube video below might help. It's from an Audi A6 but I think the suspension arrangement is similar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrYAAtlsjnY&playnext=1&list=PLA30F13306CEBD3DA

wow! That video is better than the forum write ups! Thats given me a lot of confidence. I dont have air tools but should be ok. Thanks very much for this. Really appreciate it.

Flying-High_2

attila_ wrote: »

Glad i found someone who knows what i'm talking about! Thank you.

Yes i found a febi kit for 270 but will need some extra tools so probably 300. Have found a few guides and very scared of those pinch bolts. Alredy sprayed them with gt80. The guide seems fairly straight forward but its still that niggling fear.

Think i may take the plunge and go for it. I hand on heart think it would be cheaper to buy the whole kit...let alone considering the long run.

I plan to keep the car for a while. Mote thoughts/advice very welcome

Thats pretty good for a Febi kit... I've not priced them at AVS individually. Keep blasting GT80 on the pinch bolts and have a bash!! All straightforward enough.

anewman

Are there any uprated parts or improved parts released by the manufacturer? If so have those fitted as it will save the labour effort/cost in however many years/miles.

attila_

anewman wrote: »

Are there any uprated parts or improved parts released by the manufacturer? If so have those fitted as it will save the labour effort/cost in however many years/miles.

I think there are a number of makes available for these kits. Ranging from ebay specials at 140 all in to the absolute top of the range meyle at 400. If i were to go for it then my max budget is 300 and there is a febi kit for 270 on ebay. I have heard these are very good. Def better than i'd get from a private garage.