1998-2000 passat lower control arm recall

"Biz" > wrote in message >...

> I guess that begs the question of "Why wouldnt you have the service
> records?" ANd the only answer that makes sense is you may not be the
> original owner.

A lot of people are a bit disorganized (or, as in the case of my
parents, old and forgetful), and while they might have the maintenance
done, they might not keep the receipts (or be able to find them in the
mess).

But if this were a NHTSA-mandated safety recall, it wouldn't matter
whether they drove the car through sandstorms and never changed the
oil. If it's a safety defect that shouldn't happen and requires
rework, and that could result in injury or death, you don't pay, no
matter what. The situation, here, is that manufacturers can avoid this
obligation (and, presumably, some liability) by voluntarily initiating
a "campaign".

Rose

"Rose Faex" > wrote in message
om...
> "Biz" > wrote in message
>...
>
> > I guess that begs the question of "Why wouldnt you have the service
> > records?" ANd the only answer that makes sense is you may not be the
> > original owner.
>
> A lot of people are a bit disorganized (or, as in the case of my
> parents, old and forgetful), and while they might have the maintenance
> done, they might not keep the receipts (or be able to find them in the
> mess).
>
> But if this were a NHTSA-mandated safety recall, it wouldn't matter
> whether they drove the car through sandstorms and never changed the
> oil. If it's a safety defect that shouldn't happen and requires
> rework, and that could result in injury or death, you don't pay, no
> matter what. The situation, here, is that manufacturers can avoid this
> obligation (and, presumably, some liability) by voluntarily initiating
> a "campaign".
>
> Rose

Unless you move around alot, your VW dealer should have all the maintenance
records provided you were consistent.

"Rose Faex" > wrote in message
om...
> "Biz" > wrote in message
>...
>
> > I guess that begs the question of "Why wouldnt you have the service
> > records?" ANd the only answer that makes sense is you may not be the
> > original owner.
>
> A lot of people are a bit disorganized (or, as in the case of my
> parents, old and forgetful), and while they might have the maintenance
> done, they might not keep the receipts (or be able to find them in the
> mess).
>
> But if this were a NHTSA-mandated safety recall, it wouldn't matter
> whether they drove the car through sandstorms and never changed the
> oil. If it's a safety defect that shouldn't happen and requires
> rework, and that could result in injury or death, you don't pay, no
> matter what. The situation, here, is that manufacturers can avoid this
> obligation (and, presumably, some liability) by voluntarily initiating
> a "campaign".
>
> Rose

Unless you move around alot, your VW dealer should have all the maintenance
records provided you were consistent.

Audi issued the same for some of their own cars and so far we have replaced
very few control arms. It may be different in other parts of the US
depending on climate.

"Frank" > wrote in message
om...
> We got a recall letter from VWoA about 1998-2000 Passats, wear on the
> front suspension lower control arms, check and possibly replace them.
> Says they can be worn even if rubber boots are not damaged, then if
> rubber boots are damaged, blah, blah,.... Anyone have any experience
> with that? Thanks.
>
> Frank

Audi issued the same for some of their own cars and so far we have replaced
very few control arms. It may be different in other parts of the US
depending on climate.

"Frank" > wrote in message
om...
> We got a recall letter from VWoA about 1998-2000 Passats, wear on the
> front suspension lower control arms, check and possibly replace them.
> Says they can be worn even if rubber boots are not damaged, then if
> rubber boots are damaged, blah, blah,.... Anyone have any experience
> with that? Thanks.
>
> Frank

"Biz" > wrote in message >...

> Unless you move around alot, your VW dealer should have all the maintenance
> records provided you were consistent.

Dealers sometimes go out of business and don't transfer maintenance
records.

Or, in the case of my parents, they had their car serviced at dealers
in different locations, and getting all the records will not be
trivial.

Rose

"Biz" > wrote in message >...

> Unless you move around alot, your VW dealer should have all the maintenance
> records provided you were consistent.

Dealers sometimes go out of business and don't transfer maintenance
records.

Or, in the case of my parents, they had their car serviced at dealers
in different locations, and getting all the records will not be
trivial.

Rose

I just received the Audi letter dated Nov 2004, it covers 96-00 A4 and
A8 cars and the 2000 S4.

This should have been a mandatory recall considering what could happen
at highway speeds should this part fail. These cars are getting
affordable by kids that won't have a clue about this type maintenance,
until a wheel falls off!

I've had the arms replaced on my 97 A4Q twice before 90,000 miles. The
original went about 60K and the Audi replacements lasted about half as
long. My local shop tells me that 30-50K is typical and they have
replaced many.

The last time I used the replacement arms made by MOOG with a lifetime
warranty. Just google for it and you will find dozens of them.

BTW, its' all the control arms that wear. I've had top and bottom front
arms replaced. Plus the rear arms replaced too. And I don't drive hard,
typically 50 to 100 mile trips on mostly interstate highway. The car is
8 years old now and just turned 104,000 miles.

I love the car, it is the best thing I've ever driven in these Michigan
winters -- but seems to have excessive maintenence/repairs required.
Between the control arms, the expensive brakes, tire wear/noise, rubber
door trim that rusts off, EGR, etc...

I have had it with Audi -- never again.




Woodchuck wrote:
> Audi issued the same for some of their own cars and so far we have
replaced
> very few control arms. It may be different in other parts of the US
> depending on climate.
>
>

I just received the Audi letter dated Nov 2004, it covers 96-00 A4 and
A8 cars and the 2000 S4.

This should have been a mandatory recall considering what could happen
at highway speeds should this part fail. These cars are getting
affordable by kids that won't have a clue about this type maintenance,
until a wheel falls off!

I've had the arms replaced on my 97 A4Q twice before 90,000 miles. The
original went about 60K and the Audi replacements lasted about half as
long. My local shop tells me that 30-50K is typical and they have
replaced many.

The last time I used the replacement arms made by MOOG with a lifetime
warranty. Just google for it and you will find dozens of them.

BTW, its' all the control arms that wear. I've had top and bottom front
arms replaced. Plus the rear arms replaced too. And I don't drive hard,
typically 50 to 100 mile trips on mostly interstate highway. The car is
8 years old now and just turned 104,000 miles.

I love the car, it is the best thing I've ever driven in these Michigan
winters -- but seems to have excessive maintenence/repairs required.
Between the control arms, the expensive brakes, tire wear/noise, rubber
door trim that rusts off, EGR, etc...

I have had it with Audi -- never again.




Woodchuck wrote:
> Audi issued the same for some of their own cars and so far we have
replaced
> very few control arms. It may be different in other parts of the US
> depending on climate.
>
>

Yes, Audi's do require a ton of cash to keep going. I had a 1990 20v Quattro
for about 6 years. Great car but I got tired of things breaking. That's why
I now own a 99 GLX Passat.

"bluedawg" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I just received the Audi letter dated Nov 2004, it covers 96-00 A4 and
> A8 cars and the 2000 S4.
>
> This should have been a mandatory recall considering what could happen
> at highway speeds should this part fail. These cars are getting
> affordable by kids that won't have a clue about this type maintenance,
> until a wheel falls off!
>
> I've had the arms replaced on my 97 A4Q twice before 90,000 miles. The
> original went about 60K and the Audi replacements lasted about half as
> long. My local shop tells me that 30-50K is typical and they have
> replaced many.
>
> The last time I used the replacement arms made by MOOG with a lifetime
> warranty. Just google for it and you will find dozens of them.
>
> BTW, its' all the control arms that wear. I've had top and bottom front
> arms replaced. Plus the rear arms replaced too. And I don't drive hard,
> typically 50 to 100 mile trips on mostly interstate highway. The car is
> 8 years old now and just turned 104,000 miles.
>
> I love the car, it is the best thing I've ever driven in these Michigan
> winters -- but seems to have excessive maintenence/repairs required.
> Between the control arms, the expensive brakes, tire wear/noise, rubber
> door trim that rusts off, EGR, etc...
>
> I have had it with Audi -- never again.
>
>
>
>
> Woodchuck wrote:
>> Audi issued the same for some of their own cars and so far we have
> replaced
>> very few control arms. It may be different in other parts of the US
>> depending on climate.
>>
>>
>