Dorman 538-823 Suspension Ball Joint - Front Left Lower

Dorman 538-823 Front Left Lower Ball Joint

Dorman 538-823 is a threaded suspension ball joint built as a direct replacement for the original equipment on select Volkswagen and Audi applications. It is precision-engineered and tested for reliable fitment on the front left lower suspension position.

• Threaded, bolt-in suspension ball joint for front left lower placement
• Steel construction with a grey finish
• Dust boot included; polychloroprene boot material
• Premium suspension grade type
• Mounting hardware included
• 12 mm wrench size and tapered stud design
• Non-greaseable design with no grease fitting
• Designed for select Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta, Golf, and Audi A3 applications

Fitment and Application Details

Fits 1998-2011 Volkswagen Beetle, front left lower; fits 1999-2010 Volkswagen Jetta, front left lower; fits 1999-2007 Volkswagen Golf, front left lower; fits 1998-2002 Audi A3, front left lower; and fits 2003-2005 Audi A3, front left lower with VIN starting with 4. It also fits 2007-2010 Volkswagen Golf City, front left lower, 2007-2009 Volkswagen Jetta City, front left lower, 2010-2011 Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio, front left lower, and 2011-2015 Volkswagen Clasico, front left lower.

This part cross-references MOOG Chassis Products K90355 for the same application.

What This Ball Joint Helps Address

• Front suspension looseness at the lower control arm connection
• Clunking or knocking from worn steering and suspension joints
• Uneven tire wear caused by excess front-end play
• Imprecise steering response on Volkswagen Beetle, Jetta, Golf, and Audi A3 models
• Restoration of proper front left lower suspension geometry after wear

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify the vehicle’s year, model, and front left lower position before ordering. Confirm the tapered stud and threaded mounting style match the original part, and inspect the surrounding control arm and hardware for wear before installation. Because this is a bolt-in style replacement, proper torque and alignment checks after installation are important for correct suspension operation.

Quality Assurance

Dorman manufactures this ball joint as a precision-engineered replacement and subjects it to rigorous testing to support dependable OE-style service on the listed vehicles. Part number 538-823 is built to meet the needs of specific Volkswagen and Audi front suspension applications.