98 Jetta - New control arms touch sway bar?

rallywagon

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Location
Western NC
TDI
'98 Jetta, '00 Jetta
Need opinions...replaced my control arms over the weekend on my '98 Jetta. The sway bar to arm clearance was tight before, but now I am having some contact. I think maybe there is enough play in the large bolts of the arms to the sub frame that I can slightly move the arms and re-tighten the bolts to make the needed clearance for the sway bar? Anyone seen this before?

Thanks.
 

cuppie

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2016
Location
Detroit, MI
TDI
02 B5.5 Passat 1.8t
I had that happen on another car (my B2 Quantum) a couple of years ago - the tops of the arms weren't shaped correctly, and the sway bar hit them quite solidly.
Solution was to take an air hammer, and roll the top of the arm over for clearance (basically, reshape the arm as the original was.)

Can you post pics?
 

rallywagon

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Location
Western NC
TDI
'98 Jetta, '00 Jetta
Thanks for the response, Cuppie. I think my situation is similar....the rolled edge on the arms is just slightly taller. Hopefully, will get under the car to address it this evening. If I have time, I will snap some pics. Thanks again for the response....nice to know someone has seen this before.
 
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