So I was driving the other day and this happened. Luckily I was close to my house
Tie rod of ball joint? Thanks.

 

Happened to me too... Looks like its either the front or rear lower control arm. The front end up on jacks, then you would have to drop the subframe to remove the arm(actually, the bold that holds the arm in place).

 

You need to replace the whole control arm. The ball joints on these cars are part of the control arm. The angle of the pic makes it look like it is the rear lower control arm. I think the ball joint from the front one comes through the top. You may find that it would be prudent to replace all of the control arms if one of them has gotten that bad. You can find a kit from FCP Grotron that has all of the parts you need.

@vgo, Do you really have to drop the engine subframe to access that bolt? When I was under mine this last weekend, it looked as though there was an access hole in the bottom of the subframe to do that bolt/nut.

Some good info in this DIY:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/diy...l-arms-173211/

 

Thanks! Can you'll see the pic good enough? It is the ball joint though right? So, if I wanted to go buy one, would I just asked for a lower control arm because the ball joint is apart of the control arm?
thanks

 

If it's that bad I would replace all the control arms, kits aren't expensive and there's a really good chance the rest of your arms are on their way to doing that too. You don't need to drop the subframe, but I did have to lower the back of it to get the bolts out because they're really long. Mind you it could've been because someone put them in backwards because the other way seems like they'll come out no problem.

 

Lower control arm ball joint. You could probably use a replacement of all your control arms and tie rod ends if this happened... Kits can be purchased from FCP Groton for less than $250, and many people around here (including myself) would call this control arm replacement a DIY procedure.
Volkswagen Passat (1998-2002) S4 Upgrade Control Arm Suspension Repair Kit

 

Thats correct. The ball joint is toasted and will require you to buy a whole new front lower rear control arm.

@bhusted In step 35, he mentions about this control arm and dropping the subframe in order to remove the bolt.

 

Like what MetalMan and the Madcow(lol) said, it might be cheaper to replace all control arms. When mine broke off like that, I only bought the one replacement because my control arms were done not too long ago, prior to that one breaking. So it was just a bad install from the shop.