Which strut top mounting?

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:15 am

Hello all,
I have an Audi 80 2.0E Sport 1995my (8C,B4) with Audi sport suspension, ABK engine.
My problem is to do with the correct part no. for the suspension strut support mounting. I have been experiencing ‘a knocking’ with the steering and an audi engineer discovered movement in the top strut mounting. These were replaced from original in 2004 by myself using ‘green’ parts supplied by GSF, do not remember their parts no. or the audi equivalent.
The audi garage say I need part no. 8A0 412 323D as does the internet vag cat
A search of the ‘sachs-boge’ web site show two items for this car
Sachs ‘green’ equivalent 8A0 412 355A and
Lemforder ‘black’ equivalent 8A0 412 323D, the same as that advised by Audi.

The problem is that I noted that the original part replaced in 2004 was a Boge
no. 8A0 412 355B totally different from that being advised now.

Does this mean I fitted the wrong part, green in colour, (and given the wrong part by GSF) back in 2004?
Could anyone please confirm part no. required.
Many thanks.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:52 am

8A0 412 323D is the correct part number.
It will be green.

You can buy them cheaper than a dealers through www.vagparts.com (supplier of OEM parts direct from Audi in germany)

Go to their site > enter the online shop > select Audi > 80/90/Coupe/Cab > suspension and brake parts.
They are £12.67 each + vat and P&P.

The blue you see below them are from the URquattro, they fit the same but are made from a slightly harder rubber. They last no longer than the green in terms of serviceable life as it's usually the bearing that goes.

HTH's
Jas..
Cool

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:58 am

Oh, and there are others out there.
Avoid solid alloy top mounts, the idea was good but they last as long as the OEM mounts. At £150 a pair thats no good. I've tried these, and whilst they were great to start with, they soon were knocking a clunking away like the OEM's eventually do.
Also available are Pro mounts from the USA. These use the OEM rubber body, but have the OEM bearing replaced with a spherical bearing.
I can't personally recomment these, as I've simply not tried them.....yet.
They are reletively new, so I'll only try them when people come back in 2 years time and say they are still working fine.
They too are about £150 a pair. As I've been bitten in the arse with the alloy mounts, I ain't no way going to fall in the same trap twice.
Time will tell.

Jas..
Cool

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

8A0 412 355 X has been discontinued. I removed a couple of them from my first S2 a few years ago.

From the dealer, the green top mounts 8a0 412 323 D are about £10 each

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:11 pm

You'll have to give me the number of your local dealers Mike, mine wanted £22 each last december Confused

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

Better come to the Stirling Audi event then Jas Very Happy

Sounds like you are being ripped off. I do get a discount but it's usually about 10%.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:42 pm

Last time I prices at Camerons in Perth they were about £12!

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:14 pm

What's the reason for it being discontinued? I just picked up two of them this weekend for £15 at the GSF stand at GTI International.

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

I think you'll find 8A0 412 355 X is discontinued.

8A0 412 323 D replaced it.

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:24 pm

I was just curious about what the difference is; didn't want to go fit it if there is a valid reason why it's been suceeded

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:30 pm

Thanks everbody for your replies.

I will definitely get them from the dealers as the GSF replacements have only lasted 3 years/9000 miles.

My local dealers are charging £10.00 plus VAT each, seems a good price.

Many thanks,
Martin