Creaking noise from rear end.

[spannerrash]

I've ordered a couple of Lemförder 25881 01.

I'll do a comparison with the original 4D0505171H I have when they turn up.

I actually think 4D0505171H are still available at the moment but there can't be many left so we still need a replacement.

[spannerrash]

Hi all
In the image below the Lemförder 25881 01 (aka 8D0505171) is on the left. The bush on the right is the genuine Audi 4D0505171H.

The second image is a list of what vehicles these (8D0505171) bushes were fitted to (I think).

I have had a vernier gauge all over both bushes and the dimensions are all the same. The only, and obvious difference is that the Lemförder one has a mild steel casing as apposed to aluminium of the original. Funnily enough the Lemförder feels like better quality. I guess that's just the illusion of "weight = quality".

I don't see any reason why the Lemförder could not be used if the genuine ones become NLA but am happy to concede to anyone with more wisdom.

The mild steel casing pushed into an aluminium wishbone may create a galvanic corrosion issue but I seem to think Audi has done this before anyhow.

What do you think, a usable back up plan?

[MikkiJayne]

I've had one of these from an A6 on my desk for years, but never bothered to measure it because of the mixed metals issues. I really don't know how everything would react.

I wonder if using some sort of sealant on the bush flange as it's put in would prevent moisture getting in to the joint and therefore prevent corrosion?

[spannerrash]

I could be completely wrong with this but I think these bushes were fitted to the RS4 front end. Year 2000 ish and wasn't that an aluminium housing?

Still, would be a pain if you ever needed to replace them I guess. Aluminium ones seem to come out quite easily but I suspect that would not be the case after years of galvanic corrosion with the mild steel ones.

May get someone out of a bind at some point in the future though, maybe?

[MikkiJayne]

Its the rear upright bottom bush in the B5. All the B5 rear uprights were steel, including the RS4.

I just looked up the same bush in the C5 - the basic A6 with a steel rear upright has a steel bush, the A6 V8 & S6 with an aluminium rear upright has an aluminium bush.

But, the one-piece D2 bush is steel isn't it? Albeit zinc plated iirc. If that survives, surely the split ones will work. Maybe they ought to be plated though? That's easy enough to DIY for a batch of them.

[spannerrash]

Just checked, and as you said MJ, the other wishbone bush for the D2 (4D0511523C) are mild steel cased with some kind of light yellow anodised coating.

Given this information I personally would have no issues using the Lemförder mild steel split bushes if that's all I could get hold of. At least it gives us an option.

In fact, when I do my partial rear suspension refurb in the spring, I will use only the after market options. I will save the single complete set of genuine bushes I have for if I need to do the rear subframe at some point in the future.

[spannerrash]

A bit random but I thought I'd post this picture incase anyway is interested.

Near side almost back together.