Control Arm Quality

[mprivi]

It seems my lower control arm bushing is cracked. My mechanic said to just get a whole kit and replace all at the same time as they are original 2002 95k mile control arms. I have been trolling all the control arm threads and I was going to go with the FCP option 3 kit but seems that the quality isn't there. The FCP warranty seems great, but i'm sure there is fine print everywhere. The OEM ones cost as much as the value of my car. I was wondering if anyone can point me in a direction of an affordable yet quality control arm kit.

I am also looking to get a set of coilovers, since my suspicion is original, while the control arms are being changed. Either Soloworks, Streetedge or ST... What set of coilovers and control arms would work with in a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance.

[SJorge3442]

It seems my lower control arm bushing is cracked. My mechanic said to just get a whole kit and replace all at the same time as they are original 2002 95k mile control arms. I have been trolling all the control arm threads and I was going to go with the FCP option 3 kit but seems that the quality isn't there. The FCP warranty seems great, but i'm sure there is fine print everywhere. The OEM ones cost as much as the value of my car. I was wondering if anyone can point me in a direction of an affordable yet quality control arm kit.

I am also looking to get a set of coilovers, since my suspicion is original, while the control arms are being changed. Either Soloworks, Streetedge or ST... What set of coilovers and control arms would work with in a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance.

FCP warranty is actually as good as it sounds. Have an issue, call them up, the send a whole new kit, you send back the old stuff. FCP is an awesome company and really stands behind everything they sell.

[mprivi]

FCP warranty is actually as good as it sounds. Have an issue, call them up, the send a whole new kit, you send back the old stuff. FCP is an awesome company and really stands behind everything they sell.

Are you running the FCP? What has been the lifespan of yours? I'm also 3.0L

[SJorge3442]

Are you running the FCP? What has been the lifespan of yours? I'm also 3.0L

Yeah I have the FPC kit. I have about 8k miles on them and so far so good.

[coffeysm]

I've bought things from FCP for a long time even when I was working on the old Volvo and they're pretty good. I also have the FCP control arms on my Audi A4 3.0 Quattro that I swapped out a little over a year ago. The only thing I didn't like were the Karlyn replacement end links.

[diagnosticator]

Checkout MOOG for excellent quality chassis parts at a good price.

http://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part.html

[Luxus Panzer]

Checkout MOOG for excellent quality chassis parts at a good price.

http://www.moogparts.com/find-my-part.html

No experience with Moog on a B6, however, I ran a few suspension parts on my B4 that were Moog and they were totoal junk with quick failure.

[Europotvin]

I will be installing my FCP control arm kit this weekend, I will post up once installed !

[SJorge3442]

I will be installing my FCP control arm kit this weekend, I will post up once installed !

Lets hope your pinch bolt isnt frozen! If its not, this job isnt bad at all. Can probably get done in about 4 hours on the ground, if the pinch bolt doesnt put up a fight.

[Europotvin]

Lets hope your pinch bolt isnt frozen! If its not, this job isnt bad at all. Can probably get done in about 4 hours on the ground, if the pinch bolt doesnt put up a fight.

I know one side will be ok since my knuckle was changed last year, but Im hoping for the best on the other side. I will be armed with cans of PBBlaster, Mapgas and lots of patience lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SJorge3442]

I know one side will be ok since my knuckle was changed last year, but Im hoping for the best on the other side. I will be armed with cans of PBBlaster, Mapgas and lots of patience lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Throw a impact gun on that list and you should be fine. I soaked mine in blaster once a week for a few weeks leading up to the job. Then I heated the knuckle and just hit the bolt with my impact and it came right out. It put up a little fit, but this is definitely one of those bolts that needs an impact on it. You need to be able to spin it fast.

[diztek]

i wouldnt cheap out on cont arms. i bought a brand new set of febi's and they lasted a year. replaced with TRW's and they were much better.

[Kevin C]

Throw a impact gun on that list and you should be fine. I soaked mine in blaster once a week for a few weeks leading up to the job. Then I heated the knuckle and just hit the bolt with my impact and it came right out. It put up a little fit, but this is definitely one of those bolts that needs an impact on it. You need to be able to spin it fast.

Hard to say on a limited sample... I never put any penetrating oil on mine and took it out with a wrench; it also came right out. A set i have from the salvage yard were attempted using an impact and stuck. I got them with the arms still in them since they couldn't get the bolt out. Others have had shops snap them off with a gun.

Also, I have used Febi in the past. After 40,000 miles I had one arm fail at the ball joint. Somehow, water got past the seal. The rest of the arms were perfect. My current Febi's seem decent, but I don't have many miles (2500)on them. They were made in Germany and looked to be decent parts.

[old guy]

I had the boots fail on my FCP lowers after a little under 100k miles. The boots on the free replacement arms look like a different sturdier material. Pinch bolt tips: Clicky click®

[mprivi]

So it's kind of hit or miss with what brand to get? I have been reading reviews on most brands and some people have good and bad luck with the fcp as well as the febi and melye hd kits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SJorge3442]

So it's kind of hit or miss with what brand to get? I have been reading reviews on most brands and some people have good and bad luck with the fcp as well as the febi and melye hd kits.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Improper installation is usually the biggest problem for control arms. So many people forget to torque at ride height. This causes the bushings to wear out so fast. The fact that Old Guy got just about 100k on a set of FCP arms should tell you something.

[mprivi]

Improper installation is usually the biggest problem for control arms. So many people forget to torque at ride height. This causes the bushings to wear out so fast. The fact that Old Guy got just about 100k on a set of FCP arms should tell you something.

Ok I hope my mechanic knows to torque at ride height... Also will prob do coilovers at the same time will this make it more difficult?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SJorge3442]

Ok I hope my mechanic knows to torque at ride height... Also will prob do coilovers at the same time will this make it more difficult?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nope. The coil overs shouldnt add any additional level of difficulty.

[chris@fifteen52]

I did the FCP kit and ST coils at the same time and no issues after 60k miles.

[cschuster]

Same as ^^^. got 18k or so on them now. still looking great.

[mprivi]

I did the FCP kit and ST coils at the same time and no issues after 60k miles.

That's the setup I was looking at. Any input on Solowerks S1 or Streetedge coils? Just looking for stock sport setup at about 25/25.5 Fender to ground don't want to rub


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chris@fifteen52]

I love my STs I have them set very high

[diagnosticator]

No experience with Moog on a B6, however, I ran a few suspension parts on my B4 that were Moog and they were totoal junk with quick failure.

I don't know if the B4 parts are necessarily comparable to the B6 parts. I have used MOOG parts on other cars, assume the Audi replacement parts would be similar.

What specific suspension parts have you had bad experience with?

[mprivi]

I love my STs I have them set very high

there's a local guy with a used set 2k miles on them for 600$ is that a good price used or more like 500$? I know new they are 750-850



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'll likely need to do control arms in the next year or so and the kit I plan to install is the Vaico kit below.

Click HERE to order or for more information


Proper control arm installation is key for long bushing life. Believe it or not improper installs really can cut the life span of the bushings down substantially.



Jason

[chris@fifteen52]

there's a local guy with a used set 2k miles on them for 600$ is that a good price used or more like 500$? I know new they are 750-850



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With a used set you never really know the mileage, no warranty and make sure they are the Avant specific kit. For not much more you can get a new set with a 5 year warranty.

[mprivi]

With a used set you never really know the mileage, no warranty and make sure they are the Avant specific kit. For not much more you can get a new set with a 5 year warranty.

The 5 year warranty i guess is worth the extra cash. I don't have an Avant is there a reason I would need that set? I have a 2002 3.0L Sedan Quattro

[Luxus Panzer]

I don't know if the B4 parts are necessarily comparable to the B6 parts. I have used MOOG parts on other cars, assume the Audi replacement parts would be similar.

What specific suspension parts have you had bad experience with?

B4 tie rod ends and Sway bar links. Both were total crap. I had one sway bar link sheer off at the weld with under 500KM on it.

[chris@fifteen52]

The 5 year warranty i guess is worth the extra cash. I don't have an Avant is there a reason I would need that set? I have a 2002 3.0L Sedan Quattro

No I thought you had an avant. I think you PM'ed me the other day about the STs.

[mprivi]

No I thought you had an avant. I think you PM'ed me the other day about the STs.

Yes I did for a price on the ST's... My other option would be skip the coilovers as I really don't need adjustment, Im just looking for a nice 25-25.5" ride height, and go with bilstien and H&R spring setup.

[chris@fifteen52]

The Bilstein/H&R combo probably costs the same or more, no adjustability, not sure if they have a warranty and the Shocks are not made and designed for the springs. I set my height and haven't touched it since.

[shokwav09]

is the majority concern the bushings? cause im in the middle of replacing all of my arms with performance urethane bushings. the only setback ive crossed happens to be the front lower rear curved control arm ball joint. it looks factory pressed in and there dont seem to be replacements for it. if i have to buy new arms just for new ball joints to use aftermarket bushings i will, but its kind of a jip from audi if thats the case. either way, if the ball joints still good the lowest cost method is urethanes pressed in.

[Gunnarrrrr]

is the majority concern the bushings? cause im in the middle of replacing all of my arms with performance urethane bushings. the only setback ive crossed happens to be the front lower rear curved control arm ball joint. it looks factory pressed in and there dont seem to be replacements for it. if i have to buy new arms just for new ball joints to use aftermarket bushings i will, but its kind of a jip from audi if thats the case. either way, if the ball joints still good the lowest cost method is urethanes pressed in.

TRW is the OEM for these. JTC350 & JTC348, summit has the best price I could find, $150 for the pair. in the middle of an entire suspension replacement myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[shokwav09]

those part numbers didn't match my rs5 arms. It's all good. I've been eyeballing some prices anyway. the fun part is when I buy a hydraulic press and put them in myself. make sure you dont pull your inner sleeve in the spindle when you get the ball joints out. You'll have to buy a whole new/used spindle if you do. use a ball joint separator!! id seriously upgrade to superpros and manual labor or 034 track density either way. huge difference in handling and bushing longevity.

[Gunnarrrrr]

those part numbers didn't match my rs5 arms. It's all good. I've been eyeballing some prices anyway. the fun part is when I buy a hydraulic press and put them in myself. make sure you dont pull your inner sleeve in the spindle when you get the ball joints out. You'll have to buy a whole new/used spindle if you do. use a ball joint separator!! id seriously upgrade to superpros and manual labor or 034 track density either way. huge difference in handling and bushing longevity.

sir this is the b6 a4 forum


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[shokwav09]

dang. lol.