Evening all
I have an issue! I've been getting a knock when going over bumps/dropped kerbs etc on a 52 plate B5.5 Estate Sport. I traced this to vertical play in the right lower aft guide link ball joint. So i ordered the Lemforder (part number 616440405) one from Carpartsforless via eBay. This afternoon I have tried fitting it but have an issue. On the genuine VW one removed, there was a flange on the lower section of the ball joint that stopped it being pulled to far up into the bearing carrier attachment hole, and keeping the grease retainer/rubber boot in a size and shape you would expect to see. The new Lemforder one doesn't have this, and in tightening the attachment nut to remove all vertical play, the rubber boot is crushed between the ball joint and bearing carrier, and i guess will cut/wear rapidly when the steering is moved as the boot rubs between the two. Also the shaft/shank of the ball joint appears narrower than the one removed.
Looking on ECP/eBay/Car parts for less they all look like the new one I have.
Looking on ETKA/Vagcat, I can only see one part number for the right side, lower aft arm (8E0407694K), and no ref for a different one for a sport model.
I compared to the other side and also on my 98 B5 Saloon, and they appeared to have the flange as the boot isn't crushed. So is it just a case of maybe the one removed is an original an now 12 years old and an old mod/design state?
Anybody come across this before?
HELP HELP HELP - Aft Lower arm issue
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