Control Arm Recommendations

[D-n-Tyke]

Family friend took her A4 in for an oil change and the shop told her she needs new upper control arms "NOW!" because the bushings are "shot". After looking at them they are just barely starting to crack, but she wants them changed now because the shop scared her. So I have been looking for a set of the 4 upper control arms (pieced together or a kit). I ran across a 034Motorspotts set at ECS (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-034motor...-401-1072~034/). I have never used 034Motorsports, Is this brand any good? Any have history with these control arms?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Car:
2017 A4 2.0T FWD Premium

[Spike00513]

Family friend took her A4 in for an oil change and the shop told her she needs new upper control arms "NOW!" because the bushings are "shot". After looking at them they are just barely starting to crack, but she wants them changed now because the shop scared her. So I have been looking for a set of the 4 upper control arms (pieced together or a kit). I ran across a 034Motorspotts set at ECS (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-034motor...-401-1072~034/). I have never used 034Motorsports, Is this brand any good? Any have history with these control arms?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Car:
2017 A4 2.0T FWD Premium

Well. You can inspect them with your eyes. Pry on them with a pry bar.

The bushings are replaceable.
There is truth. There is not truth. It's up to you to figure out what truth is.
Certain parts have typical life expectancy

I think 034 is generally decent. Never used their arms. I don't think I had a need to regarding adjust ability because my vehicle wasn't lowered.
At the time, I probably got the FCP kit for $300 or less and put them in.
However unfortunately, it used regular bushings and not stiffer durometer S4 bushings which might have been nice.

There's a lot of different kits out there.

When it wears is gonna depend on what the car is, how it's used, and quality of the local roads. It's usually anywhere between 50k-100k, more towards the latter end of that spectrum. Worn by 90k is not underheard of.
There's a difference between a slight crack starting, and completely torn.
If it was completely torn, you'd feel it and hear it.
If you're not sure their condition, go look at them.

Take your time, figure out what you want to do.
It's not really an "oh shit today thing".
Unlike if you had a rod knock, well then that would mean the motor is screwed today and tomorrow.

The more features a control arm has, such as adjustability, the more expensive it is.
And, performance is a factor based on who drives it.
Bushings isolate NVH. A grandma probably would drive on OEM. An enthusiast who likes to feel their car might go a different route for higher cost.

[JBAeroEngineer]

I used the 034 arms on the B8 platform. No issues.

[ehb704]

034 is a very reputable company.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[A4 Centaur]

Used 034 on my B8