Control arms, at what mileage did you have to replace yours? 3.0t

[all_kobiwon]

Indy showed me that I have one Bushing torn and says ball joints look questionable. $1,400 for parts and labor for replacing two lower control arms. Car is at 58k mileage, no noticeable issue when driving. Thanks.

$600 an arm? That sounds crazy

[BrianVan]

$1400?!?!? Yikes. you could probably replace all the controls arms (upper and lower) BOTH sides for that much. There are practically only 4 bolts to remove. (there's more, but its not complex) Price out parts and watch some YouTube videos. Unless you walked in there sayin, "I don't know cr@p about cars"....I'd do some more research before doing that work. Especially at 58k miles.

[ilackav8]

FWIW on my C6, I replaced all my uppers somewhere around 65k. To be fair, the car is older, so the bushings had more time to dry out with age.

But $1400 for lowers is insane. My uppers cost $290 each at wholesale pricing, and an hour of labor per piece.

So I wouldn't be too surprised if they did need to be done, but I'd find another garage.

[FastLane1000]

I just replaced mine myself upper and lower at 80,000 miles. I was hearing and feeling a little play in the ball joints over the last 20,000 miles but just got around to doing it. I just posted some pictures in this thread yesterday http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/798892-Front-upper-lower-control-arms
You can purchase a complete kit of upper and lower arms with all hardware from 034 Motorsports for about $600. Or from FCP Euro and get a lifetime warranty. You can also purchase just the lowers if that is where your issue are coming from. The lower kit is about $440. I believe the lowers are usually the first to go. I believe of the lowers the rear curved arms are the first to go.

[all_kobiwon]

Thanks for the pics, Very helpful, as I assumed the car would have to be on a lift to do the job myself. And yes, lower rears are the proposed issue.

[BrianVan]

Here is the entire set AND BOLTS (check model year) https://www.europaparts.com/034motorsport-control-arm-kit-034-401-1046.html for $625. You'd have to raise the car, even if doing one side at a time with a jack and stands. Get a buddy and some beers and rip it apart. If you're totally non-mechanical, call around for just labor costs and bring in the parts yourself. At least you'll know quality parts are going in instead of whatever AutoZone has in stock that shops usually have right next door.

[FastLane1000]

Here is the entire set AND BOLTS (check model year) https://www.europaparts.com/034motorsport-control-arm-kit-034-401-1046.html for $625. You'd have to raise the car, even if doing one side at a time with a jack and stands. Get a buddy and some beers and rip it apart. If you're totally non-mechanical, call around for just labor costs and bring in the parts yourself. At least you'll know quality parts are going in instead of whatever AutoZone has in stock that shops usually have right next door.

I personally won't ever buy from Europaparts again. If you read in the post I linked to there is a fitment discrepancy due to possible incorrect cut off dates for the M12 and M14 kits. My car took the M14 kit. I had originally purchased the M12 kit from Europa and when it didn't fit there was no apology or acceptance of error on the side of Europa parts. He wanted to charge a restocking fee and be an ass about the return. He eventually caved and refunded me in full. I purchased the M14 kit from FCP Euro. They were great. 034 was also great in helping with the issue.

[ryanwerling78]

+1 FCP Euro too many good stories to tell about them


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[kuattroo]

Indy showed me that I have one Bushing torn and says ball joints look questionable. $1,400 for parts and labor for replacing two lower control arms. Car is at 58k mileage, no noticeable issue when driving. Thanks.

$600 an arm? That sounds crazy

Hmmm interesting thread, I have a 2013 with 29,000 miles and my mechanic told me I may have to change mines. To be fair he didn't put the car on a lift to checked. He changed the thermostat and the water pump and while driving it he felt something in the front of the car. I felt it too but didn't pay much attention to it. ( Now I'm much more aware ....) It happens every time I turn the wheels to the the extreme right or left while driving off from a parking spot or something. It's like a popping feel I get, or more like i rolled over something. Is that the symptoms of a bad controls arms?

[FastLane1000]

Hmmm interesting thread, I have a 2013 with 29,000 miles and my mechanic told me I may have to change mines. To be fair he didn't put the car on a lift to checked. He changed the thermostat and the water pump and while driving it he felt something in the front of the car. I felt it too but didn't pay much attention to it. ( Now I'm much more aware ....) It happens every time I turn the wheels to the the extreme right or left while driving off from a parking spot or something. It's like a popping feel I get, or more like i rolled over something. Is that the symptoms of a bad controls arms?

I had a popping noise that was related to the strut bar needing to be retourqued. It is under the plastic cover behind the motor. I also felt play and had a noise that was coming from my ball joints before I replaced my control arms. I felt and heard this over small bumps and road irregularities at low speeds.