My 2002 A6 avant makes groaning (mostly) and squeeking noises at low speeds - whil pulling in and out of parking lots, etc. My repair guy says we need to replace all of the control arms, and says there are good after-market parts available - and lots of labor, probaby totalling over $2000. Any ideas?

 

go with Febi-Bilstein. DO NOT USE the Italian brand sold by Blauparts.com. Ask me how I know.

 

I would like to know? Why not OCAP? They are a quality manufacturer.

Anyway, a good set of control arms costs around 500$. 1500$ seems a little steep for the labor on this one. If your ok with a wrench you can do it yourself, its not a terrible repair, but rust can make it frustrating.

 

I got quoted by an audi dealer $1,805 for installing a full front suspension kit just yesterday (that's parts+labor). Haha, 7/8 of my control arms need to be replaced. I laughed.

If your repair guy is telling you $2k+, then you probably need to find someone else. Cost for a kit is around $500 if you look hard enough, and labor shouldn't be much more than $500. I mean i got my entire engine replaced and the labor was not much more than $1,500 :-/

(furthermore, the dealership quoted me $370 for an outer CV boot, brake pads/rotors for $527 and $295 for brake hoses (!!!!))

 

The above replies have been very helpful - thank you

 

@nm3210Some I replaced my CV joint on the drivers side for 70 bucks. and 1 hour later i was back on the road. Really easy too! Any one who can turn a ratchet can do it. lol

@ the OP
As far as the control arms go I would buy and do it myself. It is not that hard. A matter of fact you can probably find a DIY pretty easy. Why do they have to be replaced, Bushings?