034 front control arms are shot, how good is that FCPGroton kit?

[DRA4]

So after running the 034 ones for one year, they are done. Anybody running the FCP ones?

[Matador]

Are you running these on a daily driver or as a track car? Also, is it exactly a year, under or over? According to their website they have a 1 year warranty on them.

[McGovs2.7TB5]

I've got nearly 10k on mine, the kit is pretty solid as far as I can tell.

[S4James]

been running a set on a B5 passat, not exactly the same thing, but pretty close. 8 months or so, and everything is still tight. But honestly, ive been running the same OEM control arms on my S4 for the better part of 5 years, NEVER changed them and put about 50,000+ miles on the car.

[Seerlah]

I have a B5 A4 (yeah, I know I know), and have 034 lowers I placed on last year. And I have uppers yet to be placed on. But this thread is rather disheartening, to think that the 034 units would wear so fast. I was really looking into not having to replace mine for a while, and this thread has me rather concerned.

What failed on them? Inner bushing or outer ball joint? Did you install them correctly?

[Scotty@Advanced]

Wow 1 year that sucks. they only issues I've run into the 034 control arms are when the bushing bolts were tightened with the car in the air. they wear out quick when that happens.

[Seerlah]

^That would apply to any brand CA. You need to have load on the suspension or tighten them with the angle degree listed in the Bentley manual (can't recall how much). I am lowered on coilovers, so I placed full load on the suspenion, then dropped it a but more before torquing down to compensate for the extra travel when the car is raised (wheels off ground).

[Yesmar]

i run the febi bilstine control arms, im lowered and the car gets some auto cross abuse a couple times a yea. i have no complaints with them

[DRA4]

Well a bit over 1 year by 2 months. All the upper ones are shot, car is daily drive in NYC streets dropped on ST coilovers.

[Max@034]

What do you mean they are done? What part is done? How did you confirm this?

Did you try contacting us before posting on the forums? We offer a warranty on just about everything, and just because something may be slightly "out of warranty" doesn't mean we are just going to tell you to go fly a kite.

I make myself quite available on these forums and via email for sales, support, questions, concerns, etc and always encourage people to talk to me before assuming anything...

Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future if you aren't 100% happy with our products.

[DRA4]

What do you mean they are done? What part is done? How did you confirm this?

Did you try contacting us before posting on the forums? We offer a warranty on just about everything, and just because something may be slightly "out of warranty" doesn't mean we are just going to tell you to go fly a kite.

I make myself quite available on these forums and via email for sales, support, questions, concerns, etc and always encourage people to talk to me before assuming anything...

Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future if you aren't 100% happy with our products.

Thank you Max, i am in no way trying to bash the company just stating what happen. Will pm you in a few.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I would say 90% of CA failures are due ti improper installation.

I would also say most CA mfg's are 100% identical and come from the same place ;)

[quattro_silver]

I've actually ran the 034 arms (except for the stern uppers) and have had no issues on my dd for over 3 years. Are your bushings worn out?

The biggest thing with these arms is how they are installed. The bolts needs to be torqued with load on them, and not simply with the car jacked up or on a lift. This is a huge part of the installation to ensure the bushings are installed correctly. Otherwise you tighten the bolts, lower the car and then the bushings are not set right and ready to wear out prematurely.

[DRA4]

Thanks guys, installation was done right. NYC roads are the worst so there. Yes bushings are shot. Thank you to Max at 034 for standing behind their great products, they will replace the upper control ones for gratis!

[quattro_silver]

good to hear 034 came through, it's no wonder people talk highly of them!

[ThePeoplesChamp]

Great to hear Max stepped up. Just as a reference the FCP are pretty good. Mine are going strong on a year and a half now

[Scotty@Advanced]

034 FTW!

[Yuckie]

I have FCP Groton arms, full kit purchased in January of last year. Installed in February of last year and they're clunking like a bitch. Worse than my OE arms were when I bought the kit to replace them. I'm almost positive that the shop I had do the installation did it wrong (everything else they did had problems). Not looking forward to shelling out the cash for more CA's but they'll either be Febi/Bilstein (per recommendation by my S's ONLY destination to work in San Diego, PureMS) or 034 (per my ongoing amazement at the level of care given to customers, *raises beer to Max*). Once I recoup from the $2500 I just dropped on maintenance items, you'll most likely be hearing from me Max re: Front CA's.

[Seerlah]

Bushings fail because no load on suspension when torqued. The shop did not do this when they installed them, I am almost sure of that. The bushing basically is twisted too much once load is placed on the suspension, causing them to rip. If it was the outer ball joint, I would say simply dumb luck with that particular arm if mileage or off roading type terrain (yes, city rugged streets do fall into this category) was not the factor.

Do yourself a favor and install them yourself. You will also not just gain learning experience, but know that if there is an issue then it was either your fault or manufacturer defect (assuming you install parts properly, which I believe the shop didn't). This is why I do things myself on my car. Nobody to blame but myself if a f*ck up occurs. I do have a personal mechanic, though. It would just be unwise not to have one.

[mkemk3]

Would having the car on ramps put the proper amount of load on the car before tightening ? I'm in the middle of this job and want to do it right.

[Timtheguru]

Would having the car on ramps put the proper amount of load on the car before tightening ? I'm in the middle of this job and want to do it right.

Jack up both sides at the same time with hydrolic jacks on the bottom of the steering knuckle.

[Jsmooth65]

FWIW, I just ordered 4 Beck/Arnley upper control arm bushings for about 11 bucks each from Advance Auto. If you have a press, they're super easy to replace.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I've seen a lot of control arm threads lately ( most complaining they only last a year or so). Everyone claims to have had them installed correctly or so they say. Control arms need to be installed at RIDE height meaning how your car sits on level ground.

Obviously the angle of the control arm is going to very between different ride heights. My suggestion is that you (or the installer) make a mental note, take a picture, or some way document the wheel gap. This way you'll have a reference when it comes to loading the suspension properly. Throw the tire back on and use a jack or other tool to compress the suspension back to how it would sit at ride height. Remove the wheel, then while the suspension is still loaded, tighten up the control arm bolts.

Doing it any other way will risk pre-mature wear of the bushings.

Good luck!

Jason

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I've seen a lot of control arm threads lately ( most complaining they only last a year or so). Everyone claims to have had them installed correctly or so they say. Control arms need to be installed at RIDE height meaning how your car sits on level ground.

Obviously the angle of the control arm is going to very between different ride heights. My suggestion is that you (or the installer) make a mental note, take a picture, or some way document the wheel gap. This way you'll have a reference when it comes to loading the suspension properly. Throw the tire back on and use a jack or other tool to compress the suspension back to how it would sit at ride height. Remove the wheel, then while the suspension is still loaded, tighten up the control arm bolts.

Doing it any other way will risk pre-mature wear of the bushings.

Good luck!

Jason

[chinaren]

FWIW, I just ordered 4 Beck/Arnley upper control arm bushings for about 11 bucks each from Advance Auto. If you have a press, they're super easy to replace.

Any pictures or DIY? Part # of the bushings would be nice, thanks

[Jsmooth65]

Part number is 101-5815. Just stick that in the search on AdvanceAuto.com

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...CGRP60005____#

[Jsmooth65]

They are running a 15% off code (Thru 2-4-12) right now (see the banner at the top), which brings the price down to about 11 bucks.

[julex]

There is 20% coupon out there too but I would not touch aything FCP sells even if given to me for free. Their stuff is such junk and ebay is probably a better source for these parts.

[DRA4]

There is 20% coupon out there too but I would not touch aything FCP sells even if given to me for free. Their stuff is such junk and ebay is probably a better source for these parts.

034 FTW

[Jsmooth65]

As a follow up to my post earlier, the Beck/Arnley bushings (store part number 101-5815) at Advance Auto is actually a german Meyle bushing part number 100 407 0024/HD. Just got them in the mail today. At 12 bucks a piece, I think its a pretty good deal compared to a whole new arm. Especially if you have adjustable control arms like me.

[Timtheguru]

I did the control arms on my sister's s4 this last weekend... I hate that job. Luckily all the bolts came out with ease. I like my method of getting out the rear lower CA bolt that attaches to the subframe, use a cutoff wheel and insert from the other way. :)

[jibberjive]

I would also say most CA mfg's are 100% identical and come from the same place ;)

Just thinking here (and I haven't even gone so far as to compare pictures of the two side-by-side), but 034 likes Chinese stuff, FCP likes Chinese stuff...anyone know if they might be the exact same arms?