Apparently, I need a new rear anti-roll bar.

Sponge · 08-02-2010, 02:35 PM

A little history:

My car is 4 years old and has covered 29,000 miles.

I've been suffering a slight knocking/rubbing/squeeking noise for a few weeks. I feared it was the suspension, but put it down to my roofbox. I took it off and the noises remained. I then put it down to my rear load cover. My car's an Avant, it's the type that retracts. I have got around to removing it yet, to see.

However, my car went in for it's 3rd service last Friday and they've reported that my rear anti-roll bar is corroded and needs replacing, at a cost of over £300.

I put my car up on some ramps and had a quick look. Other than some dirt, surface rust, etc, I can see anything that would warrant a complete replacement.

I'd appreciate your comments.

I've uploaded the pictures here.

I'll probably take it for a second opinion, but I'm worried that if I mention all the above to an independant, they'll just agree and do the work, even if it's unnecessary.

cruiser647 · 08-02-2010, 03:07 PM

The pictures won't load for me.

However, that is not enough mileage to warrant the roll bar going. An decent indy will find it on his own accord. Just tell them it squeaks at the back and to call you before they do anything.

jwo · 08-02-2010, 03:17 PM

i had one done on mine after about 85k. the bracket with rubber grommit had gone (iirc) - certainly wasn't £300 though (my car is a B6 not B7 though)

Sponge · 08-02-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiser647

The pictures won't load for me.

However, that is not enough mileage to warrant the roll bar going. An decent indy will find it on his own accord. Just tell them it squeaks at the back and to call you before they do anything.

Try this link to the album.

Mook · 08-02-2010, 05:06 PM

Hang on before you go forking out that much money. I've still got the original rear ARB I removed from my B6 S4, so you should only need some new bushes. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

Scotty · 08-02-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mook

Hang on before you go forking out that much money. I've still got the original rear ARB I removed from my B6 S4, so you should only need some new bushes. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

I was reading down about to post exactly the same

Mook · 08-02-2010, 05:23 PM

Bog off Scotty, I got there first

benjie · 08-02-2010, 10:48 PM

A brand new RS4 (thicker, transforms the car!) ARB costs like £60 from a dealer. Where the hell did they get £300 from?

Andy_Bangle · 09-02-2010, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjie

Where the hell did they get £300 from?

Parts + 2 hours labour at 100+ quid per hour?

benjie · 09-02-2010, 08:45 AM

There's no way on earth it could take that long. A friend (VW Tech) took about 1 1/2 hrs to fit my RS4 arb, rear brake pads, front nearside track rod end, brake fluid change, gearbox oil change and 20k service. He did this in VW with all the tools available to him, so unless Audi workshops only have a T20 and an adjustable spanner, they're lying.

Personally, and I like to hassle people, I'd go in with those photos and ask for clarification of the problem and when he's explained show him your pictures as I suspect the explanation will not match the visual evidence. Then ask for a breakdown of costs as the parts don't come to £100.

Realistically though, I'd go to an independent VW/Audi specialist for a second opinion & get the work done there if needed. Just my opinion though!

08-02-2010, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sponge I've got a brand new combine harvester Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Up to my neck in it Posts: 4,741	Apparently, I need a new rear anti-roll bar. A little history: My car is 4 years old and has covered 29,000 miles. I've been suffering a slight knocking/rubbing/squeeking noise for a few weeks. I feared it was the suspension, but put it down to my roofbox. I took it off and the noises remained. I then put it down to my rear load cover. My car's an Avant, it's the type that retracts. I have got around to removing it yet, to see. However, my car went in for it's 3rd service last Friday and they've reported that my rear anti-roll bar is corroded and needs replacing, at a cost of over £300. I put my car up on some ramps and had a quick look. Other than some dirt, surface rust, etc, I can see anything that would warrant a complete replacement. I'd appreciate your comments. I've uploaded the pictures here. I'll probably take it for a second opinion, but I'm worried that if I mention all the above to an independant, they'll just agree and do the work, even if it's unnecessary. __________________ 2005 Audi A4 Avant S-Line, 2.0 TDI Last edited by Sponge; 08-02-2010 at 02:42 PM.

08-02-2010, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
cruiser647 BBC Correspondant Join Date: May 2004 Location: Anywhere but work.... Posts: 17,004	The pictures won't load for me. However, that is not enough mileage to warrant the roll bar going. An decent indy will find it on his own accord. Just tell them it squeaks at the back and to call you before they do anything. __________________ "There will be no whitewash in the White House." Richard M Nixon. Speaking of liars, look at this website!:- http://www.labour.org.uk/home

08-02-2010, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
jwo Saab 9-3 Aero Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucks/Beds Posts: 758	i had one done on mine after about 85k. the bracket with rubber grommit had gone (iirc) - certainly wasn't £300 though (my car is a B6 not B7 though) __________________ A4 Avant Tdi Sport 2003 Atlas Grey

08-02-2010, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mook the Puke Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: All over the place Posts: 20,614	Hang on before you go forking out that much money. I've still got the original rear ARB I removed from my B6 S4, so you should only need some new bushes. Drop me a PM if you're interested. __________________

08-02-2010, 05:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mook the Puke Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: All over the place Posts: 20,614	Bog off Scotty, I got there first __________________

08-02-2010, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
benjie Volkswagen Golf GTi Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Swindon area Posts: 691	A brand new RS4 (thicker, transforms the car!) ARB costs like £60 from a dealer. Where the hell did they get £300 from? __________________ Remapped B6 A4 130TDI quattro Sport \| Self fitted cruise \| Interior re-trimmed in black \| Black/Silver RS4 reps \| A3 8P Gearstick \| Coming soon - 3.5" TT V6 twin exhaust tips, aero wipers & iPod/iPhone link.

09-02-2010, 08:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
benjie Volkswagen Golf GTi Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Swindon area Posts: 691	There's no way on earth it could take that long. A friend (VW Tech) took about 1 1/2 hrs to fit my RS4 arb, rear brake pads, front nearside track rod end, brake fluid change, gearbox oil change and 20k service. He did this in VW with all the tools available to him, so unless Audi workshops only have a T20 and an adjustable spanner, they're lying. Personally, and I like to hassle people, I'd go in with those photos and ask for clarification of the problem and when he's explained show him your pictures as I suspect the explanation will not match the visual evidence. Then ask for a breakdown of costs as the parts don't come to £100. Realistically though, I'd go to an independent VW/Audi specialist for a second opinion & get the work done there if needed. Just my opinion though! __________________ Remapped B6 A4 130TDI quattro Sport \| Self fitted cruise \| Interior re-trimmed in black \| Black/Silver RS4 reps \| A3 8P Gearstick \| Coming soon - 3.5" TT V6 twin exhaust tips, aero wipers & iPod/iPhone link.