Steering wheel vibration, wobble = lower control arms ? Has anyone had this problem?
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Well, I think that I'll revive this thread for anyone's benefit that is having wobble, shimmy, or vibration problems.
Since I last posted, I have had to replace all 8 control arms again. So much for the $300 kits, they only lasted for 35k miles. I did replace them with the same off brand type because I got a screaming deal on purchasing them from multiple vendors, and I enjoy working on this car now that I have the experience necessary to be a certified Audi tech.
Even with new control arms, I still had the vibration intermittantly. The severity of the vibration was increasing, too. So I finally broke down and replaced the driver's side axle with a new unit. About 85% of the vibration went away. So now I will be doing the passenger side one in the near future. The axles did have 132k miles on them, and I did have the outer boot on the driver's one blow up and didn't fix it for a week so that may have been a contributing factor. With the axle out of the vehicle I could do a full autopsy, and the outer joint flopped around like a fish out of water and the inner joint had several degrees of radial play. I think the combination of both joints being worn out made for the increase in vibrations.
Bottom line is that wobble or vibration problems are caused by any of the rotational parts of the car, and things like control arms and tie rod ends being bad only amplifies the symptoms. Just my opinion.
Since I last posted, I have had to replace all 8 control arms again. So much for the $300 kits, they only lasted for 35k miles. I did replace them with the same off brand type because I got a screaming deal on purchasing them from multiple vendors, and I enjoy working on this car now that I have the experience necessary to be a certified Audi tech.
Even with new control arms, I still had the vibration intermittantly. The severity of the vibration was increasing, too. So I finally broke down and replaced the driver's side axle with a new unit. About 85% of the vibration went away. So now I will be doing the passenger side one in the near future. The axles did have 132k miles on them, and I did have the outer boot on the driver's one blow up and didn't fix it for a week so that may have been a contributing factor. With the axle out of the vehicle I could do a full autopsy, and the outer joint flopped around like a fish out of water and the inner joint had several degrees of radial play. I think the combination of both joints being worn out made for the increase in vibrations.
Bottom line is that wobble or vibration problems are caused by any of the rotational parts of the car, and things like control arms and tie rod ends being bad only amplifies the symptoms. Just my opinion.
Last edited by threeputtpar; Apr 4, 2012 at 03:44 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 23
From: Chicago,IL
A4 control arms on an A6
Hello, I am brand new to this forum and just saw this old thread. This is also my first Audi, and I am just learning so please bare with me. I have an 04' A6 Avant 3.0 Quattro (85k). I was having the same issues with the steering wheel vibrations. I replaced all 8 control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar end links (Meyle Kit), and front struts and the vibration is still there. Although I needed to replace those components anyways, I'm starting to believe the cause of the vibration is rotational as well (worn/uneven tires from driving on busted control arm bushings and leaking struts?).
Now maybe you guys can shed some light on this. I realized that the Meyle HD control arm kit I purchased (8E0498520) from FCP Euro was not quite right. I called them twice and their technicians assured me this was the correct kit. However, my mechanic said that all control arms were identical except for the lower rears, which had slightly smaller bushings. They ended up installing them anyways with spacers to make up for the discrepancy. Unfortunately, they did not tell me this until I came to pick up the car. Now, the kicker is, I called ECS Tuning and they said that kit was for the A4, not the A6 and that I should have purchased the Meyle HD 4B3498510CMY kit.
Should I replace the kit, or leave it the way it is? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. If I have to redo it, I will do it myself this time.
Now maybe you guys can shed some light on this. I realized that the Meyle HD control arm kit I purchased (8E0498520) from FCP Euro was not quite right. I called them twice and their technicians assured me this was the correct kit. However, my mechanic said that all control arms were identical except for the lower rears, which had slightly smaller bushings. They ended up installing them anyways with spacers to make up for the discrepancy. Unfortunately, they did not tell me this until I came to pick up the car. Now, the kicker is, I called ECS Tuning and they said that kit was for the A4, not the A6 and that I should have purchased the Meyle HD 4B3498510CMY kit.
Should I replace the kit, or leave it the way it is? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. If I have to redo it, I will do it myself this time.
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