Got a 99a4 - built in Dec 98 ... was told at the dealer that I needed new control arms ... and that if I had maintenance records it would be done free ... maintenance record for control arms? Does anyne know if this is a covered problem or not? Also, would it help if I dealer shopped and maybe found one that would do the work for free?

 

Lower control arms are covered by Audi, but ONLY if you've done all services by the dealer. Maybe someone has had luck in just getting a dealer to cover it regardless of service, but I had no such luck. They will also make a partial payment if you had it done prior to Audi admitting it was bad parts. Strange part is, what they pay is a LOT less then prices quoted for replacement. There has been talk of attempting a class action lawsuit, but I've seen no real movement in that direction. I use the factory manuals when I can, factory parts and follow all procedures to include proper torque values and use good tools, but it's not good enough, as THEY didn't get paid. Some warranties will allow coverage if you show the work was done, and it was competant.

It doesn't make sense, as it is a part that there is no "maintenance" schedule for, no zerk fittings, etc, unless maybe they are claiming that failure to maintain alignment or strut replacement causes accelerated wear? It's a load of garbage, as they usually go while still considered low mileage.

I actually had my uppers go bad before the lowers, and I just did it all myself, uppers, lowers and tie rods. It was a matter of knowing the lowers would eventually go bad, and as long as I was in there, I did it all. I think I was lucky, as I was in the mid 50K range when they went bad. And for the first time on the Audi, I didn't use factory parts, screw 'em. I used the Meyle parts.

 

yea, i tried to have mine done for free and had no such luck. so i just replaced them my self, bought the kit off of ecstuning . this is probably the most common thing to go on our cars.

 

I had mine done for free at the dealer and i definately didnt have all services done there

 

the dealer will only cover up to 99.5 right..?? so B5s 00 and 01 are sol??

-T-

 

i called audi usa and gave them my vin number, i was sol...

 

How do you know if the control arms are bad? Does it make a clunking noise when braking hard, mine does. 2001 a4 79K miles.

 

I think thats it or the tie rod ends...

I have a 00 with 72000 and mine clunks hard when I hit any sort of bump ..more so on the right side than left

=T=

 

Yeah my right one is bad. But since its the winter, with all the slush and crap in the wheel well, it hasn't made a clunk in about 2 months. I was SOL when I got my quote. They told me it was my uppers and not my lowers, but they did say if it was the lowers they would have replaced them for free - I have a 00.

Honestly, do it yourself. Its not worth the price they quote you. When I figured mine out, the parts came to like $200.

 

i have a 99 2.8Q and i had gotten the car checked for the recall on the control arms.. but now both are bad i think on the passenger side, so does that mean i go back and ask them to look at it again or something? or is it something im gonna have to get fixed on my own?