Guys, looking for feedback as to the mileage at which anyone has had the arms replaced. Mu 02 4.2 has about 142,000. I get a slight shimmy around 50 mph. I have had a 5 series BMW previously and they were very fussy as far as either worn bushings or ball joints.

FCP seems to have a good price on the whole kit.

Also coming up seems to be the plastic oil cooler cooling pipes. Will look at today when I get it up in the air

thanks Ed

 

The A6 is a little over-engineered when it comes to the control arms (6 per side!) and the weight of this beast doesn't help keeping the bushings in good shape. Now add the extra weight of the 4.2 engine on top of the already heavy A6 and you can imagine that those arms and struts don't last as long as with other cars.
I replaced mine at 110k as a precaution and it was a night & day difference.
I can only imagine that an 11 year old A6 4.2 with 142k miles (if never replaced) is overdue for new struts/control arms.

 

Thanks Sheldon

build date is Oct 01 so really 12 years old. They are original and starting to show cracks. Did you do the work yourself? It does not look terribly difficult and I have done several BMW's, so I have some experience.

Do I read you hve Bilstein arms and Koni struts? I plan to do the arms, then follow with struts. The coolant leak, if it is the oil cooler pipes, will take priority over the struts. The arm kit looks to be about $500.00 or so from FCP

Ed

 

You are correct, did the work myself and bought the Febi Billstein control arms and the Koni FSD struts.
It was not super complicated just a huge PITA because after such a long time bolts refuse to get lose even with hammering force and scorching heat