Help! Audi A3 ball joint dust cover size

[Alfie3121]

Hi all!

I’ve got a 2011 Audi A3 sportback 1.6 TDI and just got the following advisories on the MOT:

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))
 

Trying to order some but have no idea what size I need to purchase.

Does anyone here know?

Thanks

[cliffcoggin]

Do you actually need to know the size? Most motor factors only ask what model and year the car is to select the right part.

[Alfie3121]

Hi Mate. I’ve spoken to 3 of them now and they’ve all asked for the size of the hole and if I need a small, medium or large cover

[cliffcoggin]

That's most unhelpful of them. They could at least have asked if you need x, y, or z millimetres so that you could measure the hole. Sorry I can't help any better.

[Magnet]

Hello Alfie,

Can we take it you are trying to replace just the dust cover rather than the complete link? If you are intent on buying from motor factors then I would anticipate that the price of a complete link from them may not be that much more than the cost of dust covers ( if available ) from the main dealer. I guess it’s worth asking yourself the question:- if the dust covers are than worn, would you really just want to replace the covers in preference to renewing the complete links?

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[cliffcoggin]

Good point Gareth. If the boots have perished then dirt will have got into the joint, even if it has not yet caused any perceptible wear.

[Alfie3121]

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

Hello Alfie,

Can we take it you are trying to replace just the dust cover rather than the complete link? If you are intent on buying from motor factors then I would anticipate that the price of a complete link from them may not be that much more than the cost of dust covers ( if available ) from the main dealer. I guess it’s worth asking yourself the question:- if the dust covers are than worn, would you really just want to replace the covers in preference to renewing the complete links?

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Cheers Gareth. I don’t know much about cars but read your post and ordered myself 2 new anti roll bar links instead. Cheers