I've been rebuilding the front end of the daily hack Audi 80 TDI for the last few weeks - wings, bumper, bonnet all repaired or replaced, and freshly repainted.
It's also had the subframe and wishbones off, both repainted, and wishbones poly bushed, ball joints, etc…. and that's what got me thinking.
The bottom ball joints on the Audi are offset, and longer than the Mk1 Golf / Scirocco ones. They're a 19mm pin rather than 17, but I was thinking they could be a fairly easy way of getting more castor and camber angle. The holes sort of line up, but the wishbone would need a bit of modding to hold it properly - extending round the sides of the new ball joint, and maybe a little strengthening. The ball joint hole in the bottom of the hub could be bored out to 19mm without a problem, I think.
Here are a couple of pics to explain. It's using the wrong wishbone, but if it was on the other side it would work - I just grabbed the first one that came to hand. You'll see the offset I think and get the idea.
Wishbone with Mk1 golf wishbone, and audi ball joint next to it. Offset is about 20mm
The holes are close enough that they could be made to line up I think.
So I wondered if anyone else has looked at different ball joints on the Mk1 wishbones? Did you find any that gave the right fit and extra castor, and fitted as well or better? I think they might be a little taller as well, so there could be an additional benefit in a slight extension to the ball joint.
Still need to do some more measuring up. I didn't have much time on Sunday as I had to go on a biz trip.
Thoughts? Cheap and cheerful way of improving the handling, tried it and it didn't work, or an accident waiting to happen?