Erm...Don't think it's supposed to look like that
 

Driving to work on Tuesday morning.

I get stuck behind a car doing about 20mph. I start cursing the slow @rse in front of me. Next thing I know the car feels like it's on a skidpan.

I steer into the skid and straighten the car. Hmmm...very weird.
It happens again so I pull over.

The back of the car looks like:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1369930494

I get the car recovered to a garage. This has happened:


http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1369930494


The replacement part is dealer/TPS only part and was stupid money + vat.

A quick call to A8 Parts and a replacement was on its way.

Could somebody please post the rear suspension diagram as it seems either something has either fallen to bits or fell off. There may be a spacer missing the mechanic is not sure. I also need the part numbers for the bolts if you have them.

I'm not happy it happened but glad it was at 20mph and not 70 as I might not have been posting this.

As always guys your help is appreciated.

A bit of a close call this one. :-(

Erm... Jeebus!!

That's a fairly serious component to have failed like that.. Glad you were going slowly!

Contact Audi, there is a guy with a C5 RS 6, 10 years old. His heated seat failed, so it kept heating, it went straight to the highest level within Audi and Audi UK have pulled out all the stops for him. He's been in a brand new RS5/C7 S6 for the past few months all on Audi UK while they replace his seats (which they no longer have in stock so are going through quattro GmbH archives). I know it's not a new car, but when it is saftey related, they take notice it would seem.

Amar
Do you have contact details? Is it customer services or someone else?

If I remember and there's anyone suitable available from Audi I'll ask tomorrow.
(At Silverstone for an Audi-sponsored free driving day)

Is it this part? http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-2002-AUDI...item20c68b54ca

Thanks HP +++

I've written myself a post-it note. :ROFL:
Is this the part? http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-2002-AUDI...item20c68b54ca

Yeah the right lower wishbone/control arm

Here's the Etka print out you were after. Not sure it shows much of what you might be missing? Guess a strip down of the other side may be in order to check for cracks anyway?

Thanks Adrian. +++

It won't do any harm to check the other side as well.

Ouch:tuttut:
Glad your ok though....

definitely contact Audi and say how worried you were for your safety with such a serious failure - have also heard good things about their response to this sort of thing.

Great you're OK A8parts is a godsent in such situations.
I would change whole rear subframe if I were you.



>> it went straight to the highest level within Audi

Amar, I really want contact details.

Log it with Audi customer service, google the number. A8 owners should or used to have a separate line with no need to hold. The RS 6 owners' young daughter could have been badly injured, hence why they are bending over backwards to help him. They can't match the material on the seats as it has been discontinued so I don't know what they're going to do, let him keep the brand new S6?

I spoke to the "Digital Communications Manager" and explained (roughly) what happened and that you wondered if Audi were interested in "looking at" such an extraordinary failure.
She gave me her card and said to email her and she would pass details on to a relevant person.
So, PM me your name and email address TBW and I'll kick off an email chain - probably from me to her, cc you (e.g. thanks for your time, great day out etc. do you recall me explaining about a bizarre material failure on an A8 etc...)

Yet again thanks for taking the time to raise the issue but it won't be going any further.

After stripping down the rear suspension there is a problem with the bushes on the drivers side.
I've got the B7 RS4 rear brakes on my car and there seems to be an issue with spacing between where the hub connects to the lower control arm. The nearside does not have this problem.

I've ordered another control arm and hub from A8 Parts to compare with the existing setup along with a new set of bushes and bolts from TPS.

So it wasn't Audi component failure it was a problem with the mod. :-(

HP
I meant to ask how your day went.
Are we expecting a write up with pics?

Glad you and the car are alright mate and that you'll have it fixed and away in a cuple of days.