Hi all,

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Proud owner of a 2003 A4 3.0 Quattro. 99000 miles. Try to keep it in good shape. (Slow leak in the power steering system that I'm hoping I won't have to fix for a while, since it would be $$$$)

But my mechanic told me I need to replace the front upper bushings (?). Cost to be about $600.

Sound right? I don't feel anything wrong. Sorry if I'm not using the right terminology!

Sned

 

If the control arm is still original, then that sounds about right. You can check the control arm by yourself. Also, pay attention when you are go over speed bump especially in very low speed. If you hear some noise when go over it, then yup... something is wrong and most likely may be the control arm.

 

Hi Sned,

My wife's 2003 Avant with 81k miles recently needed a new power steering rack because of a leak, so I'm sure you're going to need this, too. If you have a good independent mechanic, ask him if he can get a used one from a parts dealer. Much cheaper this way.

Did the mechanic say that he would replace both upper control arms, or just the bushings? $600 sounds kind of pricey to me. I just replaced all of my control arms and tie rod end assemblies on my B5 for about $600 total in parts, including a 4-wheel alignment when I was done.

You can get by without changing the control arm bushings for awhile. They will eventually make more noise, especially when it's hot & humid. But you could probably get by until next Spring without replacing them, unless they start to make a lot of noise.

Ask him about the tie rod ends. Those are the important ones, and if those are ok, you're good-to-go. If the tie rod ends need replacing, don't wait. You don't want to be behind the wheel going 70mph when a tie rod end breaks!

 

OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning
you can buy a whole new front end setup for around $450... this includes all the bushings with the control arms and tie rods. i havent done this to an audi but assuming it shouldnt be to bad just aslong as you have some jackstands and some wrenches. you would just need to take it somewhere after your done to make sure the alignment is good. if you buy the kit have a local mechanic do it not the stealership.

 

Official: FCP Groton Control Arm Kit

 

Hi--just found this thread after taking my car to dealer to investigate grinding noises by left front wheel on 02 A4 3.0. They diagnosed that problem as torn CV boot giving way to worn lower control arm/ball assembly that needed replacement $450. But they said the upper control arm bushings are shot and they needed replacement at $700. I know I'm paying premium for a dealer to work on this. Just providing it to let others know I'm probably getting hosed.

 

Got the final invoice and it's over $1,300. Labor matched the parts costs--which comparing to internet prices really paid a huge premium at the dealer (no surprise.) $172.50 for lower (wishbone) control arm and $270 labor to replace. The upper links on both left and right sides on the front were $135 each (with tiny rubber mount costing $38 each) and replacement of those parts on the car was $460 in labor. Guess I learned my lesson--and could've shopped around for better rates had I known that I could've gone a little longer on the broken control arms. It just sounded so bad, didn't want the wheel to fall off on a bump. Buyer beware--always go to independent shop if you can't repair yourself! Even if they're slammed, there's a reason they're so busy! Just make an appointment and wait.

 

Ouch, those kinds of astronomical repair bills at the stealer are what finally inspired me to become a DIY'er. On my old B5 A4, I remember paying the stealer about $400 to replace one control arm. So, considering that we have 8 front control arms, that's $3200 to have them replace all of them one at a time.

After I became a DIY'er, I replaced all of them at one time, AND both tie-rod assemblies, AND both sway bar links, for $600 total.

Sure, I had to buy some tools along the way, but I'm using those same tools for all the other repairs and maintenance I'm doing on both of my B6's now.

Bottom line, taking my Audis to the dealer for repair was a money losing endeavor.