I've read enough messages about lower control arm problems to believe that I am not alone in experiencing this recurring malady. It appears that the only way to get Audi to pay attention is to make it a documented safety issue, so I invite everybody to call the NHTSA and register your complaint. Their Consumer Complaint number is: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (or 1-888-327-42368). You will be asked to describe the problem and they will mail out a form for you to fill out and return.

Enough whining! It's time to do something to let Audi know that we are not going to be paying for their design defects after the warranty runs out.

What is the safety issue with the lower control arms? Have I been asleep and missed something?
Thanks.<ul><li><a href="http://www.magicnet.net/~turbo/TTA">http://www.magicnet.net/~turbo/TTA</a</li></ul>

It is an annoying noise problem though. I think there should definitely be a fix for it. And, AoA should arrange to have enough parts to fix it...not the backorder issue that apparently has been a significant problem (according to several of my friends) in the past.

I know of no known situations whereby the control arm bushing has posed a serious threat to the operation of the front suspension. Is there any? All I know of is a mild to moderate clunking noise on occasion. Anybody have more serious symptoms on this issue?

I am curious to find out. BTW, my car has 48K miles, and doesn't exhibit this problem.

What is the normal criteria for a recall on the affected cars? Does anybody know for sure...any
anonymous insider info?

Steve S.
97 2.8QM

Is there a charge to get this fixed. (expired warranty)

In my estimation, Audi/VW uses this front end design on the A4, A6, A8, S4, and Passat. That's on the order of probably near 1 million cars a year. I'm wondering how prevalent this problem can be if Audi/VW hasn't made a design change by now. Would a company really put out millions of defective designs knowing that they'll either have to pick up warrantee costs or put up with owners' complaints?

(Don't get me wrong... this clearly has been a problem for many folks. I'm wondering if it's a 1% thing, 10%, 50%????).

Tom
1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

I wonder.
Typically (at least on this board)
the owner is sooo annoyed with the sound, that
he/she gets it replaced.

If the problem was allowed to fester, could it
become a safety issue?

(poor analogy, but when your brakes squeal, you
take the car in, you do not wait for no brakes-usually :-)

0.02

1996 a4 2.8 qm
BTW Both fronts replaced

anyone have the backs go???

I had experienced the squeeking that goes along with what I thought was a bushing issue...you described it as a clunking....I also have a clunking but I thought this might be due to my neuspeed springs rubbing...what exactly is the sound in question?
thanks
alex

The cars aren't defective. Audi designed the front suspension to reduce torque-steer and handle well. It does this. The problem that everyone is complaining about is that the bushings in the control arms do not last much beyond 20,000 miles or so. This mileage varies with driving style, but the point is, Audi's suspension improves the characteristics mentioned above, at the sacrifice of shorter bushing life.

If a fix is in the works, chances are new Audi buyers will lose in the handling department. Please realize that you can't have both better handling *AND* long lasting bushings with the current design. If you could, Audi would have done that. So, which would you rather have, better handling or longer lasting suspension bushings?

It's the same type of debate you run into with tires. Many people love the grip and handling characteristics of Z-rated tires, but they hate the short tread life as compared to other tires.

If you want a car where these parts don't wear out and the handling is mediocre, then you've just described a Honda. Enjoy.

My replacement control arm was replaced again after six weeks of suburban baby-hauling use, i.e. not racing, no Jamex springs, no off-roading. I do not think that many of you are going to be happy paying to have a very loud and annoying rattle fixed by your dealer, who will probably charge $$$$ after your warranty runs out.

I didn't mean to claim that the cars are defective...

Actually I'm questioning whether this is truely widespread or not. If 50% of the Audis out there need need bushings ever 10,000 miles - yes I think there's a defect that Audi needs to stand by (redesign, new materials, 10 year warrantee like VW?). If this is relatively rare, well then it's not necessarily inherent to every car and Audi may not have to do anything different.

Anyway... I don't agree that this is a black and white issue. There are more choices for Audi than to keep things the way they are or have a mediocre handling car.

Tom
1.8TQMS Silver/Ecru

Most of us have been able to get these replaced under warranty - so far. My last one came in just under the wire. But I dare say that if a suspension bushing or ball joint is allowed to go too far, then it WILL be a safety issue. Have you ever seen a car with a broken ball joint? The wheel tears off, taking the brake line along with it under the car. How fast and how straight do you think that your car will stop at that point?

Control arm bushings are not listed as a replacement item. They are not listed in the 40,000 Mile/60,000 Km Service Interval either.

If as you say, they are designed to wear out as a trade off for good handling, then they should be listed as a consumable item.

In fact, if you look at the maintenance schedule and add up the cost of all the consumable items for the life of the car, the total is less than a single replacement of the control arms.

My guess is that some A4 owners resent hidden maintenance items in the order of $1,500 a pop.



For reference, check VW/Passat maintenance schedule:
http://www.detn8.org/powmotorsports/tech/SC-99MaintSched.pdf