Rattly plastic bit under rear dampers on A3

[steve-V8s]

Just taken a look at a couple of second hand A3 sportbacks, both had a rattle from the rear over bumps. Looking underneath there appears to be a plastic bit mounted below the damper each side. Couldn't figure what it was for other than perhaps to aid or direct airflow, on both examples they were loose and when wiggled made the rattling sound. Anybody suggest what they are for and should they be loose ? The higher mileage example rattled a lot more than one with 40k on it.

Also noticed that the 1.4tfsi engine seemed a bit ragged at tick over even when warm, is that normal ?

[helix402]

The rattling part will be the rear damper bump stop, protection tube and bump stop aluminium plate.

[helix402]

The rattling part will be the rear damper bump stop, protection tube and bump stop aluminium plate.

[steve-V8s]

helix402 said:

The rattling part will be the rear damper bump stop, protection tube and bump stop aluminium plate.

I will look at bump stops more closely on the next one. However the plastic bit I refer to is a flimsy flat(ish) bit of black plastic located under the rear dampers. They were fixed to the body with what could have been originally rubber bushes of some sort. From memory they are about 15cm wide and 30cm long and fitted both sides.

[steve-V8s]

The part can be seen here :-

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/1109dp_2011...

below the spring and suspension arm.

[AGK]

Aero dynamics, y0.

Probably wouldn't matter if you removed them.

[AGK]

They're listed as stone guards on ETKA FYI.