Looking for some help with which way to go on replacing all front control arms on my 2001 A4 Quattro. First of is it unusual for all to fail around the same time? Second looking at cost of parts are all over the place. From Audi around 1400 bucks to as low as 160 at some ebay sites and everywhere in between. I just would like parts that will last awhile and that will not cost an arm and a leg. Thanks for any direction on this problem, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

 

There are eight control arms and they all wear equally, so it's not unusual to need all of them replaced around the same time. I bought a full set off of ebay and they work just as well as my stock arms did. Just make sure they're quality arms (check the product descriptions for build quality).

G/L

 

you should buy the entire kit from Blauparts, FCP, etc. This job is technically 'easy,' because it is just replacing parts, but there are some possibly tough, physical, roadblocks along the way. Find the DIY online and go for it. you might need help from a second pair of hands when you need to loosen and pry down the front frame (A frame?) to get one bolt in. And you indeed know about getting the pinch bolts free and how you need to burn down the house with MAP gas to get them to release. wrenching those 19 and 18 mm nuts and bolts is a sombitch, physically. unless you have access to a lift. Half of us on this site have done it.

I believe there are maybe 8 per side plus sway bar links. been there, done that.

 

There are two uppers and two lowers on each side (a total of 8) and there is one sway bar link per side (for a total of two). If you did your own, you should know that (not trying to be disrespectful, but that's not something that's easily forgotten).

Sure, people do them themselves, but there is nothing "easy " about it. I had mine done by my Audi tech, because of how important their role is in almost every aspect of steering and suspension - and I do almost all of my own work myself. I just know that some jobs need to be done by a professional, in a professional shop. You don't want to have to worry about whether or not you did everything right when it comes to something so important that your life may depend on it.

I know there are people who will disagree with me, because they think they can do everything in their front yard, etc., but when it comes to something this important, don't do it yourself if you've never done it before.

You don't have to jump on the "Brand name bandwagon" for parts either. The name means nothing. It's the quality that matters.

That's just my 2 cents

 

good point about the control arm count. I would add the outer tie rods to those numbers (hopefully not the inners, too). It just felt like 8 a side after doing it by myself. I still think this is one of the 'easiest' and cost effective jobs that all owners will need to do. Digging and Dying under a car is never easy. Would you suggest that a DIY timing belt, or brake pads, are better left to a highly paid professional? Do you rotate your own tires and remember to torque the lugs down? bleed your brakes? change light bulbs? I'm not sure where to draw the line for those less incline to do maint, when everything I just mentioned, if failure occurs, could kill you. Nothing wrong with dropping it at the shop and watching football while the $$ burn. Just not for me. This forum is largely for DIY people.