Snapped rear subframe

[JonnyX]

HWK 25.02.22.4

Is the part no. I was given by Neuspeed in the USA. They said $199.

[tdiquattro]

2000 facelift, stiff, fat......






6mm metal plate and some less than attractive welding, £30, job done. (same the other side)

[JonnyX]

Brillian, thanks for posting Nige. Are you toe links OK? Or can you see cracks or signs of flexing?

[tdiquattro]

Everything else looks OK, (oh and I have the RS2 metal rear ARB links as well by the way, but only fitted last month).

My car has very little rust, dry climate here and no salt in winter so this has nothing to do with rust on the subframe.

[a6khu]

Hi after reading the above, I've decided not to go through the hassle of the H&R ARBS. I agree that they might be fab once sorted but would appreciate if anyone has experience of Eibach or Neuspeed ARBs?

[Harper--D]

I think it has a chance to happen with any bigger arbs as they have the same effect.

[GrahamS4]

Hi after reading the above, I've decided not to go through the hassle of the H&R ARBS. I agree that they might be fab once sorted but would appreciate if anyone has experience of Eibach or Neuspeed ARBs?

IIRC the Eibach solution for the B5 S4 consists of only a thicker front ARB.

[JonnyX]

I think it has a chance to happen with any bigger arbs as they have the same effect.

All other manufacturers supply reinforcing brackets with their rear ARB's.

I had to replace a brake line underneath the car yesterday. All those with cracked
ARB mounting plates take heed!

Now, there is quite a lot of flex in the mounting plates anyway. This is why they crack.
When they crack they move a LOT more. Mine was moving so much that it was causing
the rear NS drop link to rub on the driveshaft. Eventually, it had clearly rubbed so much
that it weakened the drop link and it snapped. This allowed the ARB to sever the hard
brake line. Nice. So, I would say even if you don't have cracks you MUST get
reinforcing brackets. I would consider doing this even with a standard bar.

[GrahamS4]

Has anyone actually contacted H&R?

[S4TAN]

I've got MRC's reinforcing brackets on now, and had the cracks in the mount plate welded. The support brackets are very sturdy indeed - so I don't foresee any further problems.

[JonnyX]

Has anyone actually contacted H&R?

Yes, I was speaking to someone called Rainer Hanses. However, since I supplied the
photographic evidence they requested they have gone silent. No surprise there.

This probably really needs a solicitor to proceed and I don't want to pay for one . As the
precedent is clear with other manufactures supplying supports, you should be able to
make a good case. It's going to be difficult to definitively prove though...

[JonnyX]

I have had MRC reinforcement brackets and welding done. Chris did a great job of the welding and the brackets are really high quality. No
movement whatsoever now. Well worth doing IMO. I would advise this as something everyone should do.

[flashyg]

Totally agreed, my sub frame was dangerous, definitely want to get brackets next time they are available.

[s4-99]

Well, after reading this thread, i went and checked underneath my car. Here's what i found.......





Does it look ok to get welded up? Does anybody know if MRC are still selling the support brackets, or if anyone has any to sell? Are the support brackets an easy fit, for someone without great mechanical skill.

Most importantly, is it safe to drive like this???

Any help advise would be appreciated

[Doug_S2]

it is only going to get worse so get that welded asap and support brackets on there to stop it happening again.