Due for control arms: OEM vs VAICO vs Lemforder

[ShadowA4]

Hello all,

As the title suggests I am in need of a full set of front control arms (Upper/Lowers on both sides). My vehicle falls under that category with the high speed vibration, however, I've just grown used to it over the years. The car is now approaching 80k miles, and it's due to for a control arm refresh. I've looked over some of the available options, but I only found the following COMPLETE kits for the front:

OEM, either from ECS or Stealership.https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_A4...Arm/ES2712645/

Lemforder https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...rder-b8cakitoe

VAICO https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_A4...Arm/ES2795510/

I am aware of other options such as Meyle and 034, but neither of these companies sell a COMPLETE kit. The reviews and threads on multiple forums are very mixed, so I'm looking for some fresh input from direct experience. Price differences are considerable across these kits, so I'm looking for a good balance between cost and reliability. Thanks.

[bluetori]

Why don't you just replace the bushes I had a vibration issue and that went away after that.

[ShadowA4]

Why don't you just replace the bushes I had a vibration issue and that went away after that.

I was under the impression that around 50k the control arms began to rattle, noise, clunk anyway, so I was planning on a complete overhaul. I know you can buy the bushings seperately, but with a car almost at 80k wouldnt it be best to change it all out?

[bluetori]

No the control arms are not failing it's the bushings that fail, and a I replaced all of my bushes for a quite a bit less, but if you want to spend that much go ahead. Oh and I got to around 100k before replacing mine.

[o1turbo30v]

OE arms are either TRW or Lemforder. Stay away from Vaico, it's Chinese crap. If your doing the work yourself and have a shop press you can replace just the inner bushings, but if not, your paying labor to have them pressed in, it's certainly way easier to replace the whole arm, I'd go with the Lemforder Kit if you can't find a TRW one.

[ShadowA4]

Oh and I got to around 100k before replacing mine.

Damn, literally a case of YMMV. Thanks

[Dub_prime]

Meyle makes a HD bushing for the lowers too.

[ShadowA4]

OE arms are either TRW or Lemforder. Stay away from Vaico, it's Chinese crap.

I was leaning towards Lemforder already, not nearly as affordable as Vaico, but the quality issue keep coming up when comparing them.

If your doing the work yourself and have a shop press you can replace just the inner bushings, but if not, your paying labor to have them pressed in, it's certainly way easier to replace the whole arm.

I'm having a shop install them. I get what you're saying about install cost being similar for bushings vs. arms, and of course I'd rather pay for just bushings. However, I don't want to have to replace the arms later on if I can do it already.

[ShadowA4]

Meyle makes a HD bushing for the lowers too.

What's your take on replacing bushings vs. arms altogether?

[lx4life]

Is there a DIY I am thinking of doing this soon.

[van462]

I replaced 4 upper control arm bushings. I had started writing a DIY but once into stopped. I ended up having to make my own bushing press by grinding down a socket to the appropriate size. None of the control arm kits and adapters that Oreilly carried fit properly. Once I had to make tooling I felt it wasn't really a DIY that most would want to tackle. Shopping around I had run across the 4 upper arms for some good deals; and they are very easy to install. You can jack the car up a few inches and even do the with the wheel still installed. I would try the upper arms first and see it that fixes your vibration issue. The uppers don't even drive an alignment check afterward.

[Dub_prime]

What's your take on replacing bushings vs. arms altogether?

Same as the others, if you can DIY it you can get a better bushing, but there is actually more labor involved. Plus sourcing the races and fittings if you don't have them for the press.

[Dub_prime]

Is there a DIY I am thinking of doing this soon.

No real need for a DIY except for the torque specs, if you are doing the arms pull out the old arm and replace with new arm. Same for the bushing except for the extra step of removing/reinstalling the bushing.

[bluetori]

Yeah you just have to remove the pinch bolt that holds the control arms to the spindle assembly.

[Fox Fader]

I don't have any high speed vibs, but I think my ride is on it's way to needing to be re-bushed.

[Audi 4 Life]

https://www.europaparts.com/ultimate...b8-q5-sq5.html

Europa has a better price on a quality kit

[yakev724]

https://www.europaparts.com/ultimate...b8-q5-sq5.html

Europa has a better price on a quality kit

That's a nice kit. If I still have my Q around 100-120k miles (mostly highway commuting miles), I'll probably do something along this line.

[TDIaholic]

The kit in the Europaparts kit is not for the B8, BTW. The listing seems correct though. I'd stay away from anything other than TRW / Lemforder. You don't want to re-do this after 20k miles just because you cheaped out on parts.