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  1. #1
    Established Member Two Rings CG3D's Avatar
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    Feb 28 2011
    AZ Member #
    71638
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    Kenosha, WI

    034 Density Control arms on lowered S5...opinions?

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    Hi all - my set of recently replaced lower control arms seem to have shredded their own bushings very quickly (still investigating cause) and the uppers look like they are needing done.

    Looking at a decent replacement that will actually last. The 034 Density kit seems to get good reviews for cost and install ease on here, but I'm curious on the ride quality opinions from those who have them. The bushings seem to promote less 'slop' than oem style replacements, but I'm curious how this translates to road 'feel'.

    I'm lowered on H&R Sport coils and run 20" rims so my ride is on the firm side. I like the current feel, but I'm hesitant to add any more harshness to it. Is that anything to concern myself with or will it simply be a more 'direct' suspension feel?
    2009 Audi S5 | Meteor Gray | Magma Red | H&R Sport | BBS CH-R 20x10.5 | AWE Track | Drive Select | Side Assist

    Past: E55 AMG, 1970 Nova


    IG: @CG_3D

  2. #2
    Established Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Jul 23 2016
    AZ Member #
    377020
    My Garage
    2006 Lincoln Navigator
    Location
    Tacoma, WA

    Quote Originally Posted by CG3D View Post
    Hi all - my set of recently replaced lower control arms seem to have shredded their own bushings very quickly (still investigating cause) and the uppers look like they are needing done.

    Looking at a decent replacement that will actually last. The 034 Density kit seems to get good reviews for cost and install ease on here, but I'm curious on the ride quality opinions from those who have them. The bushings seem to promote less 'slop' than oem style replacements, but I'm curious how this translates to road 'feel'.

    I'm lowered on H&R Sport coils and run 20" rims so my ride is on the firm side. I like the current feel, but I'm hesitant to add any more harshness to it. Is that anything to concern myself with or will it simply be a more 'direct' suspension feel?
    I just installed my 034 arms in April. I hope I don't have issues soon. I did have issues with 034 engine mounts recently, but may have been the fault of shop who installed them.

  3. #3
    Veteran Member Four Rings JamesRS5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 27 2014
    AZ Member #
    149899
    Location
    Dubai

    Those bushes shouldn’t fail so quickly and the majority of failures are through a bad install. The suspension should be at its neutral position (loaded to how it would be on the road) before you tighten down the bolts to the CORRECT TORQUE.

    A lot of these shops just buzz them off and on again with air tools with the suspension dangling in the air, the owner is then puzzled why his bushes only last another 5k Miles.

  4. #4
    Established Member Two Rings CG3D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 28 2011
    AZ Member #
    71638
    Location
    Kenosha, WI

    Quote Originally Posted by Benzo1133 View Post
    I just installed my 034 arms in April. I hope I don't have issues soon. I did have issues with 034 engine mounts recently, but may have been the fault of shop who installed them.
    How do you like them? Significant difference in ride 'firmness' or is it just more 'direct' and less sloppy?
    2009 Audi S5 | Meteor Gray | Magma Red | H&R Sport | BBS CH-R 20x10.5 | AWE Track | Drive Select | Side Assist

    Past: E55 AMG, 1970 Nova


    IG: @CG_3D

  5. #5
    Veteran Member Four Rings shonseb's Avatar
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    Aug 04 2010
    AZ Member #
    62259
    My Garage
    '16 Audi A4 P+ competition plus, '15 Audi A3, '05 Camry
    Location
    Queenz/Westchester

    %
    You hit the nail on the head James. Not many people know about "clocking", "timing" or "indexing" your bushings when it comes to lowering your ride height.
    Quote Originally Posted by JamesRS5 View Post
    Those bushes shouldn’t fail so quickly and the majority of failures are through a bad install. The suspension should be at its neutral position (loaded to how it would be on the road) before you tighten down the bolts to the CORRECT TORQUE.

    A lot of these shops just buzz them off and on again with air tools with the suspension dangling in the air, the owner is then puzzled why his bushes only last another 5k Miles.
    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Established Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Jul 23 2016
    AZ Member #
    377020
    My Garage
    2006 Lincoln Navigator
    Location
    Tacoma, WA

    Quote Originally Posted by CG3D View Post
    How do you like them? Significant difference in ride 'firmness' or is it just more 'direct' and less sloppy?
    Maybe a lil firmer, but also installed rollovers too. Being lower may play a large role in that.

  7. #7
    Established Member Two Rings CG3D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 28 2011
    AZ Member #
    71638
    Location
    Kenosha, WI

    Quote Originally Posted by Benzo1133 View Post
    Maybe a lil firmer, but also installed rollovers too. Being lower may play a large role in that.
    Good to know, thanks!!!

    Anyone running adjustable uppers??? With 'correct' front camber, would I be running the risk of rubbing with my 20x10.5 (275/35)?
    Appreciate any insight...
    2009 Audi S5 | Meteor Gray | Magma Red | H&R Sport | BBS CH-R 20x10.5 | AWE Track | Drive Select | Side Assist

    Past: E55 AMG, 1970 Nova


    IG: @CG_3D

  8. #8
    Established Member Two Rings
    Join Date
    Jul 23 2016
    AZ Member #
    377020
    My Garage
    2006 Lincoln Navigator
    Location
    Tacoma, WA

    Quote Originally Posted by CG3D View Post
    Good to know, thanks!!!

    Anyone running adjustable uppers??? With 'correct' front camber, would I be running the risk of rubbing with my 20x10.5 (275/35)?
    Appreciate any insight...
    I have those as well running 20x11.5, with minimal rub. No rub when turning surprisingly.

  9. #9
    Veteran Member Three Rings Sazexa's Avatar
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    Jul 15 2017
    AZ Member #
    402904
    Location
    Colorado

    I have the 034 density line control arms. I dropped my ride about 2.75" on ST coil overs and went with the 034 strut mounts as well. It's definitely a noticeably firmer ride, and handles great. The steering feedback is much more direct but not uncomfortable. The only "downside" to the 034 control arms I'd say were I feel the pull of road divets (like being pulled into where the tires typically ride in traffic) more, but, it's only because you feel the road a bit more. Was a little concerning at first but after that I got way used to it and don't mind it.

  10. #10
    Established Member Two Rings CG3D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 28 2011
    AZ Member #
    71638
    Location
    Kenosha, WI

    Quote Originally Posted by Sazexa View Post
    I have the 034 density line control arms. I dropped my ride about 2.75" on ST coil overs and went with the 034 strut mounts as well. It's definitely a noticeably firmer ride, and handles great. The steering feedback is much more direct but not uncomfortable. The only "downside" to the 034 control arms I'd say were I feel the pull of road divets (like being pulled into where the tires typically ride in traffic) more, but, it's only because you feel the road a bit more. Was a little concerning at first but after that I got way used to it and don't mind it.
    Good to know, thanks! With the current OEM arms, H&R Sport spring combo and 275 fronts , I'm somewhat used to a little tramlining so a more direct steering feel sounds like a positive.
    2009 Audi S5 | Meteor Gray | Magma Red | H&R Sport | BBS CH-R 20x10.5 | AWE Track | Drive Select | Side Assist

    Past: E55 AMG, 1970 Nova


    IG: @CG_3D

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