2004 A8L Sway/Stabilizer bar ?
05-26-2016, 02:33 AM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Hi Snapdragon.
I am in Sheffield driving an Audi A8 4.2 petrol. Would there be a time when we could connect please either by telephone or email. I would really like to connect with someone localish to find out more about the wonderful Audi A8s and to have another opinion on A8 matters. You seem to really know your stuff and would hugely appreciate being able to connect with you. Don't worry this isn't about hasseling anyone, just car chat sometimes.
I am in Sheffield driving an Audi A8 4.2 petrol. Would there be a time when we could connect please either by telephone or email. I would really like to connect with someone localish to find out more about the wonderful Audi A8s and to have another opinion on A8 matters. You seem to really know your stuff and would hugely appreciate being able to connect with you. Don't worry this isn't about hasseling anyone, just car chat sometimes.
05-26-2016, 02:42 AM
#12
AudiWorld Newcomer
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
05-26-2016, 03:08 AM
#14
AudiWorld Super User
05-26-2016, 04:32 AM
#15
AudiWorld Super User
05-26-2016, 05:48 AM
#16
05-26-2016, 08:41 AM
#17
AudiWorld Super User
05-26-2016, 11:58 AM
#18
AudiWorld Super User
08-04-2017, 10:59 AM
#19
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Moronville, Tennessee (Middle TN)
Posts: 2,223
Received 83 Likes
on
69 Posts
(I've been buying from FCP since they were FCP Groton, like 1999... I have a great rapport with them but I am just disgusted with the Karlyn parts).
The attempt at a review which I left on FCP's site:
The control arms and their bushings in this Karlyn kit fit many cars, from VWs (light weight) up to Audi A8L and even the porker VW Phaeton (trucklike weight). I bought the Karlyn kit (after making sure the rubber was Made In U.S.A. - in New York) and carefully, perfectly installed it (I have the Bentley disc shop manual, I am very active on Audiworld, I have Genuine Ross-Tech VCDS (which is a comprehensive, powerful software interface for VWAG products); the reason it's necessary for this repair is due to the necessity to verify proper function of, and to set, the A8L's factory air suspension height - very important). I measured carefully (installation heights of UCAs) and torqued/marked/double-checked torque the bolts (DRY per the manual, BTW). Also relevant is I'd done the same repair on my '98 Passat (using better quality parts) about 100k miles ago; no trouble yet. The Passat has a 1.8T with Garret Chip (stock=8#PSI boost, GIAC = 22PSI; best $500 I ever spent) _and_a_5-speed (much harder on the bushings) - _and-I_autocross_it_, as well as drive it hard. (A8L was Wife's car, Passat is Mine). Back to the Karlyn kit. Complete ****e. I bet we only put 1000 miles on the car before the rubber gave way. I realize this is a weak point on the heavy A8Ls but...
I have the VCDS with the dates and mileages (which are read from each of the hundreds of modules in the car) by the software; no way to falsify) from when the car went up on jackstands until the repair was completed; and then when the suspension crapped out (although the failure is diagnosed by rattles and visual inspection and so cannot be verified by VCDS, but at least one can see the dates & mileage).
So now my car is virtually undriveable and probably even unsafe, after applying the FCP Gaurantee and the generous 10% apology it looks like I'll have to spend another $500 for Lemforder, and then I will have to spent $2000 if I can find an indy who lets customers bring their own parts - unlikely - or just bend over and spend >$6000 at the dealer (an hour from my house; no loaner, I asked/begged) to remedy this mess. My present situation precludes me from working on a car which I need desperately. You have been warned
-Tom
Last edited by aTOMic; 08-04-2017 at 11:02 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
the Quiet sTTorm...
TT (Mk1) Discussion
0
10-23-2006 07:41 PM
Nepok
TT (Mk1) Discussion
4
09-19-2005 09:59 PM
emmett03
Audi Original "S" Cars
3
02-25-2005 02:40 PM
mobsTTa
TT (Mk1) Discussion
0
11-13-2004 05:11 AM
cpayne
Audi Original "S" Cars
3
02-27-2003 07:30 AM
