Control Arm Replacement for A4, B6 with S4 B6 V8 Bushing upgrade.

[Kevin C]

My 2003, A4 with sport suspension is due for new control arms. The upper bushings are a looking a bit sorry and in warm weather the arms are a bit creaky; as best as I can tell, the car still has its original control arms. One thing I never liked with any of the kits is you can't get the S4 type upper arms with the stiffer bushings. I decided to make my own set of sport control arms by purchasing the sport bushing separately, and replacing the standard ones with ones from an S4.

I went with a FEBI kit from ECS, in general I have had good results.... So I stuck with what has worked in the past.

Also, it appears that even though my 2003 has sport suspension, it has the standard bushings (I always wondered if they used the S4 bushing in the A4's with sport suspension, unless mine were replaced, the answer is no). This should be an upgrade for handling. I realize there are other options that are stiffer, I went this route because I still want some compliance. Also, I was very happy to see a Febi Germany stamp on all the uppers. I will report back on the lowers...


https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_S4...ngs/ES2635828/

When I go to press the bushing, I don't risk want to messing up my nice new uppers, so I machined up a set of bushing press tools to make the exchange a bit smoother.









Stock A4 Bushing Center:


B6 S4 V8 Bushing:


Close up of the new upper arms:





Hopefully, I will be able to get the new parts installed next weekend.

[MacFady]

Doesn't the FCP Groton kit come with S4 uppers?

Option 3:
13 Piece Control Arm Kit Contains:
4 Lower Control Arms
4 Upper S4 Upgrade Control Arms
2 Complete Tie Rod Assemblies (Updated Full Metal Version)
2 Updated Sway Bar Links
Hardware Kit
Audizine Group Buy Cost $239.95 (Shipped Free to US Lower 48)

[MikTip]

Nice!

Except I have to use SPC Adjustable control arms...

I wonder if their bushings can be swapped for the S4 bushings? Hmmmmm..

[Kevin C]

Doesn't the FCP Groton kit come with S4 uppers?

Option 3:
13 Piece Control Arm Kit Contains:
4 Lower Control Arms
4 Upper S4 Upgrade Control Arms
2 Complete Tie Rod Assemblies (Updated Full Metal Version)
2 Updated Sway Bar Links
Hardware Kit
Audizine Group Buy Cost $239.95 (Shipped Free to US Lower 48)

Now I find out :)

Seriously, I looked at there kits and I'm not sure if they have a full control arm kit with the S4 bushings or not.

This is what i found for the option 3 kit:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...o-b6option3kit

The option 3 kit I found looks like it has standard A4 upper bushings. If you have a link it would be great for others looking to do the same thing I'm doing.

I did see S4 upper kits, let me know if you can figure out what full kit has the S4 upper arms, its good info for those that have not bought a kit yet.

[Kevin C]

Doesn't the FCP Groton kit come with S4 uppers?

Option 3:
13 Piece Control Arm Kit Contains:
4 Lower Control Arms
4 Upper S4 Upgrade Control Arms
2 Complete Tie Rod Assemblies (Updated Full Metal Version)
2 Updated Sway Bar Links
Hardware Kit
Audizine Group Buy Cost $239.95 (Shipped Free to US Lower 48)

I found a FCP post where you got your description. The description you listed is for the B5 kits, B6 kits don't appear to have the S4 upper bushings as an option, Perhaps FCP can clarify?


http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...its-Available)

[MacFady]

Now I find out :)

Group buy has been honored for like 5 yrs on this. Not sure what the current status is. Here's the link for this site.

[Kevin C]

Looks good, I just can't find the corresponding kit on FCP site...

[MacFady]

Don't think it is on their site, kits were put together specifically for Audizine group buy I believe. Either way, Dave at FCP could help you out Im' sure, at least with more info on the bushings specifically.
FCP Euro
European Auto Part Specialists
(877) 634-0063 ext. 221
[email protected]

[Kevin C]

Don't think it is on their site, kits were put together specifically for Audizine group buy I believe. Either way, Dave at FCP could help you out Im' sure, at least with more info on the bushings specifically.
FCP Euro
European Auto Part Specialists
(877) 634-0063 ext. 221
[email protected]

Short story, seems to be if your looking to use the S4 bushings you should either get a kit and swap them out, swap them out in your existing arms out or make sure to ask before you buy. Parts listed for S4's may or may not have real S4 bushings with the thicker outer shell and larger ID.

[Kevin C]

I got the control arm kit home and had a chance to look at the whole kit... The nice news is, all the arms have "Germany" on them, as in made in Germany.


I was also able to try out my new press. And yes, I am going to pick up an outlet cover at for the compressor HD on Saturday.



The press tooling worked perfectly. BTW, the bushing shell are aluminum and deform quite a bit when they get pressed in, a shop press is the way to go for these. The large arbor press at work could get the old ones out, but not put the new ones in.



Four arms converted.



I should be able to get to the swap this weekend.

[Kevin C]

The test drive was very good, no more wandering on rutted lanes and the creaking is gone. Obviously, a lot of the improvement was fixing the ripped uppers, so it's hard to say how much the S4 bushings help.

Overall, the handling is tighter, with less understeer. This is the best the car has felt since I bought it.

EDIT... While my uppers were ripped, they had not failed completely, they did have a nice set of tear marks but the inner metal was still attached. What I noticed when driving fast on a few off ramps that the steering response feels better, I had a better sense of the front tires biting and less understeer.

That pretty much is the last of the things that need to be fixed (Ignoring the error codes the heating / cooling system like to throw). It's time for a few fun mods.

[walky_talky20]

Wow. That's great information.

Something else you might find interesting (or already know about) is that the B7 (and supposedly later S4's) have different bushings in the front lower control arm (rear position, curved arm).

B6 arm: 8E0407693AG


B7 arm: 8E0407693AL


GermanAutoParts.com confirms that these will interchange, and they call out the difference as stated below:

***Updated arm from later generation S4 models, has single-piece rubber bushing at inner end. Direct replacement, eliminates problems associated with the original version's multi-piece hydraulic bushing***

[Kevin C]

Wow. That's great information.

Something else you might find interesting (or already know about) is that the B7 (and supposedly later S4's) have different bushings in the front lower control arm (rear position, curved arm).



GermanAutoParts.com confirms that these will interchange, and they call out the difference as stated below:

***Updated arm from later generation S4 models, has single-piece rubber bushing at inner end. Direct replacement, eliminates problems associated with the original version's multi-piece hydraulic bushing***

On the lowers, I intentionally stuck with the original hydraulic bushing. Part of that goes back to me reading stories about GM trying to figure out why some VAG cars always had a better ride them GM cars in the same class and finally discovering if was the dampened bushings. Still, very good info. Also, Meyle puts in a single piece bushing on the rear lower on their B6 kits.

[diagnosticator]

Audi S-Line kits:

http://www.zf.com/global/media/medie...k_05322_EN.pdf

[5ktq]

I got a motor mount from Febi a while back.

Mount says febi Germany.

Box says febi Germany - made in China. So don't be so sure.

I've seen meyle do that too. ( Though for suspension, cooling hoses, etc, it's usually meyle Germany - made in Turkey)

I have definitely got German made parts from both of them in the past, but they seem to have just added Germany to their names, which is kinda sneaky.

[Gberg888]

B5 and B6 use the same upper arms.

[Kevin C]

I got a motor mount from Febi a while back.

Mount says febi Germany.

Box says febi Germany - made in China. So don't be so sure.

I've seen meyle do that too. ( Though for suspension, cooling hoses, etc, it's usually meyle Germany - made in Turkey)

I have definitely got German made parts from both of them in the past, but they seem to have just added Germany to their names, which is kinda sneaky.

I also read that they have Germany as part of their name, however my control arm boxes said made in Germany... So yea, I was pretty sure.

[Kevin C]

B5 and B6 use the same upper arms.

Good point... And that would allow you to use the FCP B5, S4 kit. Unfortunately, based on the pictures that kit has the standard bushings.

[Ephry73]

Sub'bed as i intend on doing something similar to this in the Spring and upgrade the suspension on the car. Even though it only has 144K, you can feel the age in our NY roads.

E