Hi all,

I am a returning Audi B5 2001 A4 1.8T owner who recently bought this model. I had one just like this back in 2001-2003.

Anyways I have a few issues (obviously cars age over time), but one that is bothering me the most.
I tried to use the search engine however I am not sure what exactly my problem could be so if any of you guys could help
I would appreciate it. Here goes:

When I am going 50-60mph I am noticing sensitivity in the steering (oversteer?) and the car will tend to drift in various directions at times.
I can't tell if its grooves in the freeway or something else. I read that it's probably a bad/damaged controller arm or joint? I looked at both
front arms and they seem ok, but I think one might be slightly bent? I can't tell I have never examined them and am not too car-tech-savvy.
I am willing to learn though. If you guys want I can post pics.

Thanks for any tips.

Yapo

 

post up pics of the control arms to compare

 

Check tire wear and you also may need your tires balanced or even an alignment

 

sounds like it could be one of two things

euther your front upper control arms or your tie rod ends

my advice would be to replace them both ahd then have your car re-alligned....

you can do everything yourself besides the alignment....sounds like a 3 hour job...

check out this site audidiy.com, you should be able to find some helpful stuff on there

gl!

 

+1

That exaclty what i was thinking when i read the problem..

 

Thanks for the tips. I hastily took some pictures, yeah I know the quality sucks I forgot to use the flower thingy (for high res) but before I go back and retake let me know I am taking pictures of the right thing.

RIGHT ARM / SIDE

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9521/rightarm2mk8.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1542/rightarm1sx9.jpg

LEFT ARM / SIDE

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7503/leftarm2ij6.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6540/leftarm1ul6.jpg

Regarding tire wear. I had an oil change done (at an Audi dealership) like 5 days ago and they made some notes:
- Tires: Condition Good 5/32 all around
Pressure LF 36, RF 36, LR 36, RR 36 SP 40
Brake pads F 5 MM, R 3 MM
Oil leaks: During inspection found both rear diff. side seals leaking (I asked them about that and they said I am good to fix them within 6 months, but cost is $240 each)

 

$500 to replace $10 worth of parts. Welcome to Audi.

 

My rear diff. seals were leaking last week

for $199.60 cash I got my

on theRear diff they replaced both outer flange seals
and I got the fluid changed

the two flange seals cost me $19.90
the GL5 80/90wt was $53.70
and the labor ran me $126

this was at a certified audi shop, where labor runs 89$ an hour

dont even think about payin $500, I had this done last week, and all the #'s are coming right off of my receipt

gl on your repairs!

 

Thanks yeah $500 is pretty steep especially for a vehicle I just bought.
The Audi dealership's hourly labor is $100, i'll look elsewhere for that repair.

 

So I got home tonight and decided to jack up my car (with the car jack supplied in the trunk)
to take a closer look at the control arms. They appear to be twisted. Is that how they're supposed to be?

P.S. Only took 1 pic of the left arm because I was doing it in a tight space of my garage, but it looked more twisted than the right side.

Left Arm
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/7...eftarm1lf0.jpg

Right Arm
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3...ghtarm1ns3.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6...ghtarm2jo2.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/2...ghtarm3ev4.jpg