New suspension arms & both EPBs
 

Hi,

When i had my car serviced 2 months back with Jack Barclay Audi, they highlighted that my front upper suspension arms were on their way out and that the lower ones were going to be coming up. I had noticed a few squeeks going over the odd speed bump here and there.

On top of this, I also had 2 dead electronic parking brake (EPB) calipers.

So, rather than mess around, i thought i'd take a deep breath and replace the lot on the basis that i'm going to be keeping the car for hopefully some time to come and i really didn't want to do the suspension arms bit by bit. Audi quoted me near £5k so it was off to do some research.

The list of parts I needed were:

Suspension arms:
- Front axle left upper front
- Front axle right upper front
- Front axle left upper rear
- Front axle right upper rear
- Front axle left lower front
- Front axle right lower front
- Front axle left lower rear
- Front axle right lower rear
- Front axle left and right drop links

Calipers with EPB:
- NSR EPB Caliper
- OSR EPB Caliper

I decided on going the whole hog on branded parts as opposed to own brand (you buy cheap, you buy twice) and chose Lemforder for the suspension arms given they are OEM to Audi and TRW for the EPBs. EuroCarParts quoted £1,600 and after borrowing the Honda Civic forum discount code 'FORUMCIVINFO', got it down to £1.3k...and you get about £100 back if you return the old calipers too making it £1.2k.

I had my local independent fit all the parts and they did it for £400 including 4 wheel laser alignment making it all a grand total of £1600 which was a steal given the job and time taken. Both front suspension mounts had to come out in order to get the main pinch bolts out.

All in all, the car drives beautifully and SO much firmer. I should hopefully be free of suspension and EPB issues for the next few years :D

Oli

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7025/2...4ef0550d_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7626/2...0193cae0_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7440/2...ed111c31_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7418/2...6a2d9ee3_z.jpg

Good job Oli! Ive just done one rear EPB and then also done both upper arms and then drop links but still had an annoying squeak or two on certain days which turned out to be anti roll bar bushes. With the D3 you have to replace the entire ARB so bear in mind if that hasn't been done it may be good to get it done if you get any odd noises still +++

Thanks for the tip Neil. +++

Can I ask how much the ARB was, did you do it yourself and what was the level of effort?

Cheers,

Oli

Wow, now that's what I call preventative maintenance, though I wouldn't expect anything less from you Oli, great sourcing work and savings for work which undoubtedly will make your car drive like a dream for many years to come +++

I've had discussion with Neil regarding the ARB as mine has creaking noises when cold and I plan to replace it as soon as I get a few other more important jobs done

I had my ARB replaced by Audi due to ships timber creaks when cold/damp.
It only lasted 22 months and was back to how it was. I should have gone back at the tail end of the warranty but would forget about it when it got warmer/drier and missed it. I think it was £205 fitted but will check. I am thinking of taking it off and sliding the bar in the bushes and putting glue on the bar as on the last one I tried silicone grease but it didn't last long and seamed to ruin the rubber.

Yep thats exactly what mine was doing creaking when it was colder and ok when warmer, and also very tiny knock still when it hit certain bumps. changing it cured that completely. The ARB was about £112 at our discounted price if I remember and the job was only an hour or so to replace it +++

I think it needs to move in the bushes so you cannot glue it in but you could try rubber friendly grease to stop creaking.

On the D2 they are separate bushes which you can replace really cheaply but in the D3 they are all bonded in to the one bar and you replace the whole lot

hi can i please ask about the Delta Mics hub centric wheel spacers from earlier on in this thread.
can you please advise me exactly the size and where you bought these from. do you get the bolts with it?
many thanks
raj

ps any negative aspect to these items?

I know that they come in one piece for D3. I was just responding to snapdragons idea of sliding the bar in bushes and putting some glue on the bar. The bar needs to turn as you go up and down either in the bushes or the bushes in the cups and it's more likely to be bar turning because surface are is smaller for bush to bar than bush to cup. I don't think there is enough rubber to allow enough twist in it considering that you can change height on D3 as well so it will probably rip off glue pretty soon. If you can slide the bar to side and put some graphite or moly greasy on it it should stop creaking. CV joint moly grease should be OK as it is friendly to CV joint rubber boots. Or perhaps use after-market poly bushes if available or get them custom made, I think they also use graphite, copper or similar grease for them to stop noises.

Yeah, I know what you mean. With the old one, I disconnected the ARB links and could turn twist the bar in the bushes with no effort and slide it back and forth longitudanally if I twisted it at the same time. While doing this it would creak and I could feel the 'judder' through the bar like when you drag a damp finger on glass.
I remember now, I used some of that white waterproof grease designed for car door hinges, not silicone.
It became quiet for a few months and then started again and then started knocking (as Architex's) when traversing ridges such as speed ramps or drop kerbs at a slight angle. I didn't realise it was the ARB causing this knock until I had already replaced all 8 control arms and then taking it to Nottingham Audi who on the day of the appointment had concierges with earpeices in the carpark who greeted me and already knew who I was and called through on their mic' for a technician to come in the car park to ask for a demo which I thought was very professional. He knew what it was almost straightaway.

Audi A8 leather seat cleaning
 

Hi,

Thanks for the tips on the ARB...i'll keep a look out +++

Now that the car's paint and suspension are all in order, i've been meaning to give the leather a good detail. With that in mind, i took the rear bench out and went to town with cleaner and leather conditioner on all seats....it makes such a difference!

I even found 2 pens, 35p and 20 euro cents :)

Oli

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7430/2...046cb517_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/...6433bd47_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7679/2...cf155892_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7106/2...73404e71_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7519/...794aa247_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/...305c271a_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7059/...85e33966_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/...c842b1cb_z.jpg


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/...b9bc97f7_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/...664d2ecb_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/...f4e39b2e_z.jpg

Have you replaced that front seat, it looks like new?

Hi Delboy - they've just had a good clean +++

Over time, leather seats get a real 'shine' to them as a tiny film of oils from clothes and skin forms over them. I like my leather non-shiney like it was when it cam out of the factory and so giving it a really good clean and conditioning it every once in a while should keep them looking great. There is a really nice video by AMMO NYC that goes into some nice methods on how to clean leather seats depending on how much gear you've got (microfibre only to machine polishing clean and steam cleaning):

https://youtu.be/4Bd_IqK5ydU

The driver's and front passenger's seats have wear marks on the door-side bolsters from getting in an out over the years. It was there when i got it and have been quoted about £150 to get it refurbished. It's on the to-do list but at the moment it's 'ok' enough not to keep me up at night. :)

Oli

There is no real need to "condition" modern leather as it is coated with a sprayed on dye that forms a "skin" over the top. All conditioner will do is add to the "shine and grime". Just a gentle clean is enough. Had this been a 1954 Alvis then that's another story.... +++

I do love a good detailing post. Well done that man! +++

They are great and would highly recommend them. I have not experienced any issues so far.

I chose the Type10 2x20mm:

http://www.prosportperformance.co.uk/audispacers.htm

The bolts all come with it! +++

I also did the same on my old silver D2 (see link in my signature) using the H&R setup...they are slightly lighter in weight but a bit pricier. The D2 looks really nice with the 2x20mm and d3 FE wheels IMO...the D3 could take another 5mm I reckon on both sides but at the detriment of faster suspension wear potentially.

Oli

many thanks for the pics and info Oli..
will call Prosport on Tuesday to get price and order.
cheers raj

Hello, I've been looking into the 12 to 5V converter you used for the Dascham install and I've noticed that some people are having problems with interference on their radios. Is this a problem you've been having on your car?
Thanks, Sam :)

Hi Sam - I haven't had an issue so far luckily.

Thanks,

Oli

I've used two of these droppers without any radio interference.
IIRC it was the cheap plug in types that were causing problems.

Just a quick couple of pics of the 8 while I drove it to NL. Here she is parked up in an underground garage where my family live.

I couldn't think of a better car to drive 7-8 hours in across the continent...the B&O is just sublime and together with the ACC it makes the drive a complete joy.

Oli

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/269/31...c27a1067_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/514/31...e9c48d7a_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/31...099c7a60_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/762/31...b02cf332_z.jpg

Your family live in an underground garage? :ROFL:

All joking aside, thats a sexy looking 8, love the colour

lovely car as always, great location for photo shoot.

However my OCD wouldn't allow me to leave it uncentered in parking box.

:ROFL:

Could that be Heerlen?

Haha...I didn't notice but seeing it now, I concede I feel the same :ROFL:

My family live in the south called S'Hertogenbosch (aka Den Bosch) if that means anything....not in a garage but if given the choice of a 2 bed house or a garage this size i know what i'd choose :D

Oli

I lived in Germany for nine years. from 18 years of age. Since then I have driven to and fro all over Europe from Norway/Sweden down to Portugal/Italy and the old Yugoslavia. Not like a normal visitor/tourist/worker but as a Coach driver/tour manager. So I have become quite familiar with Europe in general.
S'Hertogenbosch is an area that I have spent some time in one way and another. I once spent a week there on a farm during a town twinning visit because they were the only family with a yard large enough to park my 12 mtr coach in. When I think about it that seemed to be the norm for me during visits like that.
Once in Hasselholm, Sweden I was accomodated in a schol classroom because the school yard was the only place I could park the bus. Worked out well because I managed to repair their data network for them.
I have many strange experiences like this but will leave them for another day.

[unfortunately] I am the same, it drives me mad most of the time, but it's all gone when walking away from the car seeing it parked dead centre in the bay :D

I always loved this car and I have to say its still looking very nice +++

She's just had her annual service with Jack Barclay Audi and passed her MoT without advisories. Given all suspension arms and tyres were changed last year, I was hoping she'd sail through :)

I have to say, I do really like Jack Barclay Audi in Wandsworth from a customer service point of view. Good on updates, friendly and courteous. Apparently they get quite a few D3 and D4s but nothing with this spec or condition and a few of the mechanics and sales folks had a proper look at it whilst in lol.

I was also able to see quite a bit of what happens in the workshop as my dashcam records when the ignition is on....some funny banter!

Hopefully another year of happy motoring! :p

Oli

Well done Oli! We will have to arrange another SE meet up soon!
I love the sight of a fresh MOT with no advisories - just had 2 done like that and it looks mighty fine!!

where do i get this woolies kit from please ?

Here you go +++

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/c-117-...enovation.aspx

Hi,

Just a quick update on my 8...

She's been a dream over the summer. I don't drive her much these days since getting a new dog and driving our little BMW 1 series with him most of the time (the 8 is a dog-free zone!). I'm possibly contemplating selling her as between the BMW and my electric BMW C Evolution scooter, it's a bit surplus to requirements but every time i drive her, i can't bring myself to do it. Everything about this car is just right. Anyway, enough said but here are just a few pictures (taken with crummy camera phone) from a recent wedding we went to with her.

Oli

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4367/3...92810691_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4355/3...84ac38c0_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4356/3...9765d856_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4349/3...b60c49e4_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4402/3...54a3862a_z.jpg

Shout me if you do Oli

Such a beautiful car!

As always she is looking gorgeous and I love that hypersilver finish on your alloys.
And don't be silly, don't sell her! First of all heart won't allow you to sell it and secondly you don't want either...let's be honest here - you would regret it :cool: