Suspension arm bushes

[993turbo]

My RS6 has been performing perfectly but lately its been developing a knock from the front left side suspension. The car has 90000Km now.

Was just doing my yearly service last week and had a good look at the suspension arms. The left side lower front suspension arm inner bushing was shot. The arm was not even in center.

So, I take it that this is a common problem?

Can I change just the bushings? or do I need to change the whole arm? OE or aftermarket?

Cheers for any input.

[TomRS]

Pretty sure you have to replace the full arm.

Mehle sell a full kit, there was a few members on here who have used the Mehle HD kit, with very good results.

[IanH755]

Just bought a full front Meyle HD kit from eBay for around £330.

There are two bits which are supposed to be RS6 specific (track-rod ends and rear lower arm) however the two Meyle replacement parts in the kit are NOT RS6 specific and you can't buy the specific parts from Meyle as they don't stock them.

Just to take the mick, Audi want over £400 for the two track-rods and 2 rear lower arms and the whole "kit" would be about £1300 vs Meyles £330!

[FUBAR]

You can buy poly bushings from these companies:
http://www.whiteline.com.au/
https://www.strongflex.de

[993turbo]

You can buy poly bushings from these companies:
http://www.whiteline.com.au/
https://www.strongflex.de

So from Whiteline it would be these? Front Radius/strut rod - to chassis bushing W83385

Strongflex website is very clear.

Ive done this on many cars, Ferraris / Porsches / BMW M's etc... Keeping the original arm, but changing the bushes. Have really worked out great each time. I have a floorpress in my Workshop so its very straight forward.

Think I might go for Strongflex. Any experience with these?

It will be 50 euro for 2 inner front bushings...... But the whole front axle is 270 euro...... hmmm....

[FUBAR]

I have the whiteline set with the adustable camber and caster. Found out about Strongflex after I ordered from Whiteline. Happy so for.
Keep us updated on the Strongflex ones if you go that route.

[TomRS]

Right so let me get this right…

Some input would be good, as i havent got a clue.

If I wanted a comprehensive kit that included everything, how would I go about this? Mehyle HD kit from eBay (Ian have you got the link?)
And replace bottom arm’s with the strongflex bushes? As for the lower ball joint and track rods how would I go about sorting that?

Is there any other company that would sell these parts other than audi/tps?

[Pau1]

Right so let me get this right…

Some input would be good, as i havent got a clue.

If I wanted a comprehensive kit that included everything, how would I go about this? Mehyle HD kit from eBay (Ian have you got the link?)
And replace bottom arm’s with the strongflex bushes? As for the lower ball joint and track rods how would I go about sorting that?

Is there any other company that would sell these parts other than audi/tps?

So guys, what is the general consensus on this subject, OEM or 3rd party stuff? I'd like to fit new bushes or control arms to the front end of my RS6.

[TomRS]

Never got a reply... i'm gonna try TPS for the bottom arm and track rods see how cheap/not cheap they are... and buy the Mehle HD kit for the rest.
I personally cant see any issues running 3rd party stuff especially given the price difference.

[IanH755]

I asked Meyle about the 2 "non-RS6" bits being sold in their RS6 kit and they said the parts were "compatible", so while they may not be as strong/flexible/better or whatever "extra" the OEM's are, they'll still fit.

Not the answer I was looking for I'm afraid!

My kit gets fitted in a few weeks so I'll get MRC to compare the OEM and Meyle bits to see if they can find any difference. I doubt the shape would be any difference but maybe the materials, thickness, bushes etc might be different or they could in fact be identical, who knows!!!

[IanH755]

TomRS - I missed your Link request, sorry, here is the set I bought - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A6-C6-20 ... 2086322253?

Which is Meyle HD kit number 1160500095HD should you want to check out other sites.

The parts which are non-RS6 are -

Tie Rod ends x2 - 116 020 0008/HD - MEYLE LINK
Left Lower Rear Arm - 116 050 0044/HD - MEYLE LINK
Right Lower Rear Arm - 116 050 0064/HD - MEYLE LINK

You can check the Meyle part number against the compatible Audi part numbers by clicking on each Meyle Link above.

[TomRS]

TomRS - I missed your Link request, sorry, here is the set I bought - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A6-C6-20 ... 2086322253?

Which is Meyle HD kit number 1160500095HD should you want to check out other sites.

The parts which are non-RS6 are -

Tie Rod ends x2 - 116 020 0008/HD - MEYLE LINK
Left Lower Rear Arm - 116 050 0044/HD - MEYLE LINK
Right Lower Rear Arm - 116 050 0064/HD - MEYLE LINK

You can check the Meyle part number against the compatible Audi part numbers by clicking on each Meyle Link above.

Ian sorry, i changed my username a bit from Tomj333 as i kept getting things mixed up with Password Manager.

Appreciate the link, i found a similar kit from Mapco but again im unsure on the 3 bits you yourself posted about, i shall ask TPS now and see about prices.
I really cant see how the parts can be any different?

[IanH755]

On the Meyle links it tells you what Audi part numbers the Meyle part is the equivalent of. For those 3 parts above, the RS6 part number isn't listed (they have a different last letter) and the Audi numbers show are for the A6 and S6 only.

Now what difference that actually makes I don't know. It could be that the specific RS6 part is thicker or uses different materials etc (no idea) however the A6/S6 part will still physically fit even if it's not to the same specification as the RS6 part.

The specific RS6 parts are -

Tie Rod ends x2 - 4F0419811F
Left Lower Rear Arm - 4F0407693K
Right Lower Rear Arm - 4F0407694K

Like I mentioned, I'll get MRC to check the difference seen as have the Meyle parts already.

[TomRS]

Ian, seems very odd that the S6 would have a different part the the RS, i would have thought if anything the S & RS would have this "unique" part.
Only thing i can think of is like you say maybe its slightly beefier.. or maybe its just RS tax? we'll wait your comparisons in a few weeks... then i'll make my move and buy the kit.

[rs6_sid]

watching this closely my self as I'm going to change mine out for fresh parts !, strange as it fits maybe different quality rubber in the bushing ? mrc will soon tell when they take the original off !