A4 Control arm replacement

[Walder3]

The upper control arms on my 2004 Audi Avant with about 150K are beginning to go. I hear a groaning sound when turning at slow speeds. I am looking for advice on whether to just replace the 4 upper control arms and the sway bar ends with OEM parts as these are showing signs of wear currently. Or should I perhaps replace the upper + lower control arms and sway bar ends with a Meyle kit.

Is it better to go OEM or are the Meyle parts equally good? If I just replace the upper, are the lower likely to start failing soon given the age/mileage? The Meyle arms are apparently all metal unlike the OEM and so I am not sure if the car will feel any different with them and also if the Meyle ones are as reliable as the OEM ones which have lasted all this time.

The cost to replace just the upper with OEM is about 20% less than doing all of them with the Meyle kit. Would appreciate any advise/recommendations on which way to go.

Thanks.

[Deerhurst]

I'd just do the entire thing. Why only do half the job? I assume the rest of your suspension has the same miles on it.

I use a Delphi kit from rock auto. Under $200 for all 8 arms, tie rod ends and sway bar links. No more noises, clunks, rattles or groans.

2003 A4 Avant 3.0 6MT Quattro

[Turbo510]

Agree with Deerhurst; do the entire set of arms/links. And while you are that far into it, check the wheel bearings for noise when you spin the hubs. They won't get any more accessible than this. I changed all four a couple of years ago, and the resulting quietness is surprising. Naturally, check the CV boots and disk condition. I used a Valeo kit, about six years later I have some dust boot failure, and the sway bar links were defective, otherwise OK. Uro sells a B6 kit for $250 I see.

[EuroxS4]

Those pinch bolts never want to come free. They are always seized in the knuckle make sure you have a spare on hand if needed.

[Deerhurst]

Those pinch bolts never want to come free. They are always seized in the knuckle make sure you have a spare on hand if needed.

I've never had this issue. Mine fall out as soon as the pinch bolts come loose. 167k miles on the car. It sees rain, slush, snow, mud. Not sure why some stick and others don't.

2003 A4 Avant 3.0 6MT Quattro

[Kevin C]

OP is in WA state, most likely he wont have a problem with the pinch bolts since it probably has not seen road salt. Meyle kit should be solid, I went with Lemforder ( second time around). The Febi kit I bought got noisy / creaky on really hot days.

[Walder3]

Sounds good. I'll go ahead and replace them all. Thanks everyone.

[BumblebVR6]

I'd recommend the Density Line 034 kit. Stronger bushings and better response. If you're lowered, their upper adjustable arms are also a good option to prevent inner tire wear due to negative camber:

https://store.034motorsport.com/cont...a4-s4-rs4.html

[fabric8]

I replaced all front control arms and end links on my A4 with Delphi parts from FCP Euro and they're working well.

My dad decided to give a set from an eBay seller a try. The arrived yesterday and they look identical in quality to the Delphi. I'm planning to install them on his car this weekend. For $128, it was worth trying.

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[Turbo510]

That picture looks familiar. Years ago I ordered a set from "CXRacing", which arrived in a no-name box without instructions. But the parts looked as nice as OE, everything fit, the new bolts were thoroughly Zinc plated. I installed that set on our B5 Passat, later another on my B5 A4, and never had a problem. I'm only half-kidding when I say that all of these sets are made in one big factory, and just go into different vendor cartons, including Audi Factory Parts.

[EuroxS4]

The only issue ive run into with the cheaper kit is that the taper on the lower control arm ball joints did not match the factory arms. Just make sure it all matches.

[fabric8]

The only issue ive run into with the cheaper kit is that the taper on the lower control arm ball joints did not match the factory arms. Just make sure it all matches.

Thanks for calling this out. I'll pay close attention to this.

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[Kevin C]

Thanks for calling this out. I'll pay close attention to this.

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It happens if you get early arms designed for the cast iron uprights used in the previous generation platform. Also, if you look closely at the kits you will notice that the parting lines and shapes vary a lot brand to brand. That tells me that they are not all coming from the same factory.

[EuroxS4]

It happens if you get early arms designed for the cast iron uprights used in the previous generation platform. Also, if you look closely at the kits you will notice that the parting lines and shapes vary a lot brand to brand. That tells me that they are not all coming from the same factory.

Correct B5 a4 and late b5 s4's had cast iron uprights but early b5 s4 1999-2000 had alloy uprights similar if not the same as the b6 a4 ones. I think this would only apply if they sent you a b5 kit instead of a b6. They are very similar with minor differences one being the taper of the ball joint.

[Turbo510]

One thing to watch out for is the size of the 18mm hex nuts, which secure the lower arm ball joints. Be sure that they are made with a large flange at the base, or have a suitably large washer. The Aluminum uprights have a steel insert where the ball joint stud attaches; that slipped on my car due to the supplied nut not covering the steel insert.

[jj94tt]

The lower strut bushing on the front lower control arm is usually the first to go... I bet yours are shot. +1 on a doing all 8. Also, +1 for Lemforder (you can see where the 4 rings were ground off the castings so they could be private labeled).

[86turbodsl]

If you are keeping the car for a while, FCP Euro kits are lifetime. I'm getting ready to do my car a second time at 300k, its nice the parts are already paid for.

[yanni6556]

I got the a kit from Rock auto can't remember the name but they were pretty cheap. They are a pain to do though if the sleeve doesn't want to stay down. Be prepared for some headaches

[fabric8]

I finally got around to installing the set my dad got from ebay on his car yesterday. All the bushings and ball joints looked to be of equal quality to the Delphi ones I got from FCP euro. Of course, time will tell.

But considering he drives his A4 less than 5k per year, and the car never sees snow or harsh conditions, I expect the bushings to last quite a while. 4 upper control arms, 4 lower control arms, 2 sway bar end links, 2 outer tie rod ends and all new hardware (nuts and bolts) for $128 is a steal. YMMV.

Oh by the way, I followed advice and re-used the original lower ball joint nuts with built in washers.



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