Does anyone know when the lower control arms were recalled?

I've taken my A4 in to the same dealer for two years. I took it in last week with a little suspension noise and all of a sudden they tell me to cough up $3000 to replace my suspension. They didn't mention a thing about a recall, I had to research it on my own. I called BS on it and called Audi USA, who in turn called the dealer. The dealer said it was $3000 for "other suspension parts" + the recall. I'm feeling like they never even looked at my car in the past two years and now their going for the jackpot.

ANY help, advice, or comments would be much appreciated.

 

Wow, something doesn't sound quite right. What year is your car? What all did they say needed replaced specifically? If the suspension really does need changed, I would seek an independant mechanic.

 

Heya Jestnomen!

1999 A4, 70K miles, and it is regularly maintained. I don't beat this car up, but I drive it like an Audi.

I was told it was $2900 for tie rods and all the control arms. I had them replaced the tie rods @ approx $400. All it says on my receipt is "Recommend replacing all control arms $2350.00". Audi USA says the recall is open on my car and the lower control arms should be replaced for free.

I'm having an independent look at it tomorrow for a second opinion. I scheduled the lower control arms to be replaced at a different dealer...who I will also ask about the suspension issues. Hopefully the other dealer gives me a straight answer.

I've written a letter to the dealer and Audi USA about the situation. The tone of the letter may change if I find out that I've been taking it there for the past two years and they never bothered to mention the recall.

 

Well the lower control arm recall is something that has happened only in the last 6 months or so. 2900 is just a TAD too high for control arm and tie rod replacement. You can buy a Meyle Upgraded Control Arm & Heavy Duty Tie Rod End Kit W/Hardware kit from ecstuning.com for 599.95!

 

Cool! Thanks Jestnomen.

One more question. Would you say $2350 is for all the control arms including the recall? It sounds to me like they're charging me for everything.

 

i'm not sure. I had my mechanic change both upper control arms and tie rods for 500 bucks. Don't know if that helps you or not.

 

Acutally that does help a lot! I took it in to a custom import shop this morning and they quoted me $500 + 75 for the alignment. It seems the dealer was really going to bend me over.

Thanks again for the help.

 

At about 95k miles on my '99.5 A6Q, squeaks and groans indicated that one or two of my control arm bushings were shots. So I bought a whole kit of Meyle arms and tie rod ends, and had my mechanic install them. All squeaks and groans were gone, and the whole front end felt tighter, like new.

But now, at 105k miles, I have some of the same noises coming back. My mechanic checked and said that one of the arm/bushings seemed to have failed already, so I got a replacement (under warranty) and had him install it. But now several seem to be noisy.

Is anyone aware of problems with the Meyle parts?