S8ilver

Any opinions (good or bad) or recommendations on a good control arm kit? I'm thinking about doing these relatively soon.

Blauparts: Ocap (Oh crap?) - $545.95 for kit with "improved tie rod ends." I've heard mixed reviews about this brand, but I have no experience. Blau states that Ocap is OE supplier to VW/Audi.

Blauparts: Meyle -$imalar price but currently out of stock. German made. I've heard they make good quality parts.

Genuineaudiparts: OEM - I priced on GAP for $1,737.35 + SH including all arms, tie rod ends, sway bar links and hardware kit. OUCH!

audinutt

OCAP is NOT a vw/audi supplier. skip them
Meyle is junk skip them too

order lemforder or TRW arms, try partsgeek.com or rmeuropean.com

S8ilver

It appears PG does not carry a full set of arms for either brand you mention. I'll do some more research.

For arms/sway bar links/TRE's on rmeuropean.com total comes to $1089.41. I think I saw the full hardware kit on GAP for $100.

Thanks for the help.

2001 S8

I also need driver's side upper control arms, and I'm going to try Beck & Arnley. They seem to have good reviews. I've used other products from them with good results.

I've found Lemforder parts are about/if not more expensive than Audi OEM parts.

http://www.beckarnley.com

Good luck.

silverd2

When it comes to control arms for any VW/Audi, Audinutt is right on the money...ONLY Lemforder or TRW are a good choice.

OCAP=junk.

Beck & Arnley are OK for many parts (I've used em), but wouldn't risk their control arms...nothing I've used by them has the to take the heavy stress that control arms do....I personally would risk it.

As much as I like to save $$ on many parts, I would not use anything but Lem's or TRW's for control arms.

Not sure, but I thought OEM control arms are Lemforder(?)...I know my inner tie rod ends are Lem's from the factory, and perfect at 130K miles.

S8ilver

The Lemfoerder arms on rmeuropean.com are listed with Audi part numbers, so I'd assume that's a safe bet. They also state "original equipment."

A few of the Lem arms on partsgeek.com (that they actually carry...they don't have them all) are $10-20 cheaper/arm. So, it appears to be around $1k to replace all 8 arms, sway bar links, and TREs with OEM parts. As a comparison, based on Audi list prices (aka ECS prices), the total comes to nearly $2.3k.

S8ilver

How cool are these?!

http://store.034motorsport.com/034mo...udi-a8-s8.html

Probably way too hardcore for street driving, but as a dedicated track car these would be sweet, after a 6spd conversion and some adjustable coilovers of course. Maybe some day...

pocketchange

Is there a source for the bushing? I've got a nice old arbor that works like a top.

Thanks,
pc

Ps. What about Bilstein?

JoePGT5S

I was just about to ask the same question. It would seem the best approach is to use the Audi parts and just replace bushings. I wonder if there is some number/code just on the rubber part that could hint at the bushing source.

silverd2

ETKA, same #'s for all yrs FL and PFL D2's:

Fr Upper front...4D0 407 516 C

Fr Upper rear....4D0 407 515 C

Fr Lower front...4D0 407 182 G

Fr Lower rear....4D0 407 183 AC

Lower strut mount...4D0 407 181 H

Any place that stocks OEM parts should carry them...Like GAP, ECS, etc..

A lotta work and taking the chance that the ball joint will last as long as a 2nd bushing. On most past VW's, the upper arm ball joints were the 1st to go on me, especially if there's the least little breach in the boot. I'd want a fresh new arm while I'm in there, if it was me.