Hey guys,

So I brought my car (2000 A4 1.8TQM) to the dealer for what I thought was the lower control arm recall. It was making a clunking/rubbing sound when I went over bumps and accelerated hard in 1st and 2nd gear.

Well, I just got a quote from the dealer... apparently the lower control arms are fine. They want to replace my upper curved control arms for $830 CAD - pretty sure thats without labor. I can buy those from ECS or PureMS for $94.95 USD each x2. So at the most $250 CAD, which is a pretty huge difference.

They also want to replace my front breaks and rotors for $565 CAD. I was thinking of just buying a set of cross-drilled and slotted Zimmermans for $130ish USD and a set of Mitex pads for $55USD from a place in town.

Ok... here is the big one. They want to replace "All four upper stabilizer links" for $1450 CAD. Are they referring to Sway bar links?

Are they referring to this: http://www.purems.com/products/descr...70&CA=564&PA=7

Any help or comments on these prices and or advice with respect to the replacement of these parts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Holy McSh!t. You'd have a rather hefty invoice on your hands! Those prices have to be with labour... that is insane.

I'd just buy the whole control arm kit 10 pieces or whatever made by Meyle and give 'er. Or find a private mechanic to install them. It isn't that big of a deal... will need an alignment afterwards though.

 

no thats the piece that links your front swaybar to your lower control arm.
this must be what they are talking about, maybee?????? this is the upper control arm kit from ecstuning. besides this i have no idea what they would be talking about

i would say do it your self but if you have no experience i wouldnt reccomend it.

 

Yeah I have no idea what they mean by: "All four upper stabilizer links". I think I will call them back and ask for more detail, maybe even some part numbers, who knows if they will give that to me.

One of the guys in my office has 2 audis and a vette stingray. He replaced the whole front suspension on the vette this spring and said he'd give me a hand with this. As a bonus, he has all the tools. I'll give it a shot.

 

which dealer did you bring it too ? I am at Owasco in Whitby and i carry the 8 link kit plus the C links for $700.00 Canadian as for labour it is 2.5 hours each side at 94.95 an hour that adds up pretty quickly so I would guess that they are quoting you with labour as for the brakes let me know what you are looking for and I can ushally beat that price my email is neil.brands@owasco.com

 

i replaced all my front control arms and links by myself. it's actually pretty straight forward if you're comfortable tearing things apart and can remember the order they all go back together. all the required parts cost me about $400 US. i got a great deal thru a buddy who owns a repair garage, but you can buy a kit from ECS for about $525 US (i think).

btw ... i have some brand spanking new tie rod ends (bilstein) that came in the kit i bought, but i had already replaced. anyone need 'em?