After my last oil change/check up, my shop (Euro specialist with good reputation and consistently 1/2 price of dealer) says that the bushings on my control arms are cracked, and that replacing would cost $1,400 (parts and labor). Really? For cracked bushings? Correct me if I'm wrong, but a bushing is just a piece of rubber/plastic, right? They tell me it is a common problem on A4's that are as old as mine ('06 3.2 Quattro w/ 44k miles). Has anyone else had this problem, and is this something that can be fixed by a mechanically inclined person with a decent set of tools?

 

yes its a very common problem and it does cost a lot to do because you have to completly remove the strut assembly and press out the old bushings and press the new ones in

 

How urgent is this to get fixed, and will I just have to replace them again in 4 years?

 

well it depends on how torn they are if your araent hearing noise from them when turning or going over bumps then they are not that bad yet and they usually go out about every 50 to 60 miles on the car