Dorman 538-813 Suspension Ball Joint - Front Left Lower

Dorman 538-813 Suspension Ball Joint

Dorman 538-813 is a bolt-on suspension ball joint engineered as a direct replacement for the original equipment on specific Audi and Volkswagen front left lower applications. It is built from steel with a black finish and includes a dust boot and mounting hardware for a service-ready repair.

Key Features

• Steel construction for suspension service durability
• Bolt-on, bolt-in mounting style with 3 mounting holes
• Front left lower position for select Audi A3, Q3, S3, RS3, and Volkswagen GTI, Golf, Tiguan, and related models
• Dust boot included with polychloroprene material
• Performance-grade suspension design
• Mounting hardware included
• Part number 538-813 for easy lookup

Detailed Description

This Dorman suspension ball joint is precision-engineered and tested for reliable OE-style replacement on specific vehicles. Part number 538-813 is designed for front left lower suspension service on applications including 2014-2020 Audi A3 with aluminum knuckles, 2015-2024 Volkswagen GTI, 2018-2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, and 2019-2024 Volkswagen Jetta with aluminum knuckles. It also covers additional Audi and Volkswagen platforms such as A3 Quattro, Q2, Q3, RS3, S3, Golf, Golf SportWagen, Golf Alltrack, Arteon, Taos, CC, Passat, and Passat CC.

This part cross-references MOOG Chassis Products K500016 and Mevotech Supreme MK500016 for the same application.

Common Repair Applications

• Front suspension looseness or play at the lower ball joint
• Clunking or knocking from the front left lower suspension
• Uneven tire wear related to worn steering and suspension joints
• Restoring steering response after ball joint wear
• Repairing damaged or corroded OE-style suspension hardware

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify the vehicle’s front left lower suspension configuration before ordering, especially on models noted with aluminum knuckles or electric controlled suspension. This bolt-on design uses a tapered stud and 12 mm wrench size, with a 3-hole mounting pattern and 66.5 mm distance between mounting holes. Confirm fitment by year, make, model, and suspension layout before installation.

Quality Assurance

Dorman manufactures this ball joint as a tested replacement component for specific OE applications. The steel body, included dust boot, and application-specific mounting design support consistent service on Audi and Volkswagen front suspension repairs.