8L S3 N/S/R Trailing Arm Bent approx 30mm

[safety69]

I've been an owner of an 8L S3 for over 3 months and just discovered from a four wheel alignment that the n/s/r trailing arm is bent by approximately 30mm. I have not been in any collision and suspect that the car was mis-sold to me in this condition from an Audi dealership.

The rear wheel track of the car is offset more towards the n/s, suspecting a collision from the o/s/r causing this offset, yet the n/s/r trailing arm is bent, which is a little confusing. What sort of impact would the car have to be involved in to cause a distortion of approx 30mm in terms of mph?

Any info and help much appreciated.

[PetrolDave]

The rear wheel track of the car is offset more towards the n/s, suspecting a collision from the o/s/r causing this offset, yet the n/s/r trailing arm is bent, which is a little confusing.

Sounds like the collision from the o/s/r forced the n/s/r wheel to hit the kerb and bend the trailing arm that way.

[safety69]

Thanks for the reply. I suspected this could be the case. I would really like to know how difficult it is to bend a trailing arm and especially on S3 where I suspect this is uprated?

[Tame Technician]

There is no way your trailing arm is bent by 30mm, thats a country mile in suspension geometry, you would visibly see the wheel sitting funny.

I am assuming you cant visibly see the wheel sitting funny of course.

The slightest knock or a decent pot hole can knock your wheel alignment out, the trouble is when its the rear, there is significantly less adjustment available. When its the front your have proper adjustment, by threaded track rods, and its easy to get the things spot on.

On Your S3 the rear toe is adjusted by loosening a plate (which is the mounting point for the rear trailing arm) and putting tension on the rear suspension, with a special tool, forcing the plate to move then you tighten the plate up again in the new position. I would say the slots for the bolts on the plate have about 10mm of movement. On some cars you cant quite get the things in spec and have to make the slots a bit longer. This is because of the slightly poor design of the golf/TT/A3 suspension, its just how it is.

Is it handling funny or the steering wheel out of align when going straight??, It not, I really would try not to worry to much about it.

unfortunately, I cant see you will get Audi to pay for a new arm, because they wont be to do a warranty claim on it, as it sounds like impact damage, they also wont be able to prove you didnt kerb it. But I would think they would do the alignment for free at the very least, and probably just elongate the slots abit if required.

Let me know how it goes.

[safety69]

Thanks for the info.

Yeah your absolutely right, the arm is not bent, but the n/s/r adjustment was out by a long shot. The wheels are now correctly aligned, using the special tool, but my concern is why in 3 months covering 3000 miles that the inner edges of the front tyres have worn down from 5mm to 0mm, with the remainder of the front tyres having 3mm.

I would assume that enthusiastic driving avoiding pot holes of course would throw the alignment out and start causing excessive tyre wear. If this is the case, whats the point in having an S3, that would be a great disappointment. I have never had an impact "kerb" incident, the only kerb marks i have are from scuffing the wheels right on the kerbs where parking on busy roads. The steering seems fine now, and steering wheel appears to remain in line.

Edited November 12, 2008 by safety69

[PetrolDave]

in 3 months covering 3000 miles that the inner edges of the front tyres have worn down from 5mm to 0mm, with the remainder of the front tyres having 3mm.

Sounds like you need to get a full laser alignment and tracking check done.

Don't go to a dealer go to a proper tyre specialist - I always got to Micheldever Tyres near Basingstoke, find someone like that near you.

[safety69]

Does this all mean that fun driving has now come to an end in an 8L S3 ??

Hard cornering will just throw the alignment out again.

[Nelson_R32]

If this is the case, whats the point in having an S3, that would be a great disappointment. I have never had an impact "kerb" incident, the only kerb marks i have are from scuffing the wheels right on the kerbs where parking on busy roads. The steering seems fine now, and steering wheel appears to remain in line.

Cars require maintenance is the long and short of it really; they are only made by man at the end of the day. That's like saying 'How can I enjoy my S3 if the tyres wear out every 15000 miles?'. Any kerbing can could affect the suspension geometry, especially cars with low sidewalls.

Any kind of driving over a long period of time (especially the UK's awful roads) will throw tracking out. More so if you regurlarly track your car. Most people I know who care about there cars get there tracking done either every tyre change or every 40000 miles. And mine will have it's tracking checked at it's first tyre change.