Need Help Please - Upper Control Arms - Suspension work

CO2001S4 · 09-13-2005, 03:38 PM

I just bought a 2001 S4 and I knew the vehicle needed an alignment and tires but because the car was in Dallas and I was in Colorado I decided to have them ship the car and I would get tires and get it aligned here.

Well, I got the tires (FUZION ZRI's) and took the car over to get aligned. But, the guys who were aligning it called me and said the upper control arm bushings are wearing out. They told me that they could align it but if they did the likely hood is that because the bushings are wearing that the alignment would be out of wack. He showed me the bushings - they are slightly warn/torn and need to be replaced but what kind of advice can you give me.

I'm looking at replacing all the control arms OEM $120 each, where can I go to get something else. Or, would anyone recommend getting a complete different suspension. The shop told me that it would be a good time to replace the shocks.

Basically I'm out of money and I don't know if I should park the S4 and only use it when I go out on the weekends or occasionally. Or, use one of my credit cards and upgrade the whole suspension or replace these links. The cost to do the job is $1000-1200.

Oh - anyone know if this is covered on extended warranties? I could purchase one and claim it at a later date - but I don't want to pay $1800 and then they not replace them.

Thanks for all of your help - its really appreciated!!!

finallyturbos · 09-13-2005, 03:46 PM

RKA · 09-13-2005, 03:47 PM

this type of thing is generally treated as a wear and tear item.

He's right...if there is play in the wheels due to bad upper control arms, in all likelihood, it's pointless to align the car as it will be off.

The cheapest solution is to order up new control arms from www.purems.com, and do the work yourself.

If that isn't an option, shop around and find someone willing to do the job for less.

While it's true that this is a good time to replace the shocks...obviously your wallet says differently. There are write ups on suspension work in the archives and tech section. You could postpone that until a later date and do it yourself once you feel adequately prepared...at least that way you avoid paying for similar work twice (since you're doing it yourself the second time around).

What I would do...order by new front control arms and tie rod ends, bite the bullet and do the install myself. Cost should be around $600 give or take a hundred. I'd leave the shocks and springs until I had more money to play with. Add another $100 or so for the alignment, and you're all done.

CO2001S4 · 09-13-2005, 03:49 PM

I am not sure what to do, I am so depressed about this. It really sucks because I had the audi inspected before I bought it and they didn't notice any problems.

CO2001S4 · 09-13-2005, 03:53 PM

This sucks - I heard you had to take out the strut to do it, is it a tough job or pretty easy?

I could afford the shocks/control arms and tie rod ends if I didn't have a shop do it. But we are talking about a Jeep guy trying to work on an AUDI. How hard is it to do? Basically I'm a Dummy about audi's I don't know a damn thing and I'm scared to do it - but should I be?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

RKA · 09-13-2005, 03:58 PM

But with the information available here, it's not insurmountable. Things like rust have a way of making life hell when it comes to several bolts and parts in the suspension...and thats where it quickly turns into a PITA. So decide what's more valuable...your time or your money. Then decide if you're one to get easily frustrated, or you're the persistent type.

CO2001S4 · 09-13-2005, 03:58 PM

I found this on ebay - is this a good kit to buy?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUDI-...spagenameZWDVW

CO2001S4 · 09-13-2005, 04:06 PM

I am curious if I were to do it, approxiametely how much time will it take to do this myself?

I asked the dealership how much and they said $200 a side. I have another place to get a quote from on Friday. I need a good price but why should I buy this kit over buying oem links?

Thanks alot

Tomasz@Startup · 09-13-2005, 04:07 PM

Get the arms, and do it yourself. Not that bad.

krazylegz · 09-13-2005, 04:09 PM

and I was working alone on jackstands. I'm also not a mechanic, and generally need more time to do my work than people here say it will take.

09-13-2005, 03:38 PM	#1
CO2001S4 New Member Account #: 97208 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	Need Help Please - Upper Control Arms - Suspension work I just bought a 2001 S4 and I knew the vehicle needed an alignment and tires but because the car was in Dallas and I was in Colorado I decided to have them ship the car and I would get tires and get it aligned here. Well, I got the tires (FUZION ZRI's) and took the car over to get aligned. But, the guys who were aligning it called me and said the upper control arm bushings are wearing out. They told me that they could align it but if they did the likely hood is that because the bushings are wearing that the alignment would be out of wack. He showed me the bushings - they are slightly warn/torn and need to be replaced but what kind of advice can you give me. I'm looking at replacing all the control arms OEM $120 each, where can I go to get something else. Or, would anyone recommend getting a complete different suspension. The shop told me that it would be a good time to replace the shocks. Basically I'm out of money and I don't know if I should park the S4 and only use it when I go out on the weekends or occasionally. Or, use one of my credit cards and upgrade the whole suspension or replace these links. The cost to do the job is $1000-1200. Oh - anyone know if this is covered on extended warranties? I could purchase one and claim it at a later date - but I don't want to pay $1800 and then they not replace them. Thanks for all of your help - its really appreciated!!!

09-13-2005, 03:46 PM	#2
finallyturbos Audiworld Junior Member Account #: 42908 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 82	You can get a kit with all of the control arms for like $600.. search the forums.

09-13-2005, 03:47 PM	#3
RKA Member Account #: 2062 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 67,038	Warranty is most likely not an option... this type of thing is generally treated as a wear and tear item. He's right...if there is play in the wheels due to bad upper control arms, in all likelihood, it's pointless to align the car as it will be off. The cheapest solution is to order up new control arms from www.purems.com, and do the work yourself. If that isn't an option, shop around and find someone willing to do the job for less. While it's true that this is a good time to replace the shocks...obviously your wallet says differently. There are write ups on suspension work in the archives and tech section. You could postpone that until a later date and do it yourself once you feel adequately prepared...at least that way you avoid paying for similar work twice (since you're doing it yourself the second time around). What I would do...order by new front control arms and tie rod ends, bite the bullet and do the install myself. Cost should be around $600 give or take a hundred. I'd leave the shocks and springs until I had more money to play with. Add another $100 or so for the alignment, and you're all done. __________________ 2005.5 A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro 6MT APR 91/93/100 \| APR Exhaust \| 19" BBS RS-GT's \| Carbonio \| Hotchkis \| Partridge-in-a-pear-tree Others: 2006 TL on the block 2001 S4 sold 2000 A4 sold * September 11th, 2001 - Never Forget *

09-13-2005, 03:49 PM	#4
CO2001S4 New Member Account #: 97208 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	I can get the 4 links (120 each from audi directly) I am not sure what to do, I am so depressed about this. It really sucks because I had the audi inspected before I bought it and they didn't notice any problems.

09-13-2005, 03:53 PM	#5
CO2001S4 New Member Account #: 97208 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	How hard is it to do? This sucks - I heard you had to take out the strut to do it, is it a tough job or pretty easy? I could afford the shocks/control arms and tie rod ends if I didn't have a shop do it. But we are talking about a Jeep guy trying to work on an AUDI. How hard is it to do? Basically I'm a Dummy about audi's I don't know a damn thing and I'm scared to do it - but should I be? Thank you so much for your help!!!

09-13-2005, 03:58 PM	#6
RKA Member Account #: 2062 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 67,038	It's a PITA in my opinion... But with the information available here, it's not insurmountable. Things like rust have a way of making life hell when it comes to several bolts and parts in the suspension...and thats where it quickly turns into a PITA. So decide what's more valuable...your time or your money. Then decide if you're one to get easily frustrated, or you're the persistent type. __________________ 2005.5 A4 Avant 2.0T Quattro 6MT APR 91/93/100 \| APR Exhaust \| 19" BBS RS-GT's \| Carbonio \| Hotchkis \| Partridge-in-a-pear-tree Others: 2006 TL on the block 2001 S4 sold 2000 A4 sold * September 11th, 2001 - Never Forget *

09-13-2005, 03:58 PM	#7
CO2001S4 New Member Account #: 97208 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	Is this a good kit? -> found on ebay - $500.00 plus shipping I found this on ebay - is this a good kit to buy? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUDI-...spagenameZWDVW

09-13-2005, 04:06 PM	#8
CO2001S4 New Member Account #: 97208 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17	How many hours per side? What shocks to get? Bilteins? I am curious if I were to do it, approxiametely how much time will it take to do this myself? I asked the dealership how much and they said $200 a side. I have another place to get a quote from on Friday. I need a good price but why should I buy this kit over buying oem links? Thanks alot

09-13-2005, 04:07 PM	#9
Tomasz@Startup Senior Member Account #: 683 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 7,147	Who inspected it? Don't you get a warranty then? Get the arms, and do it yourself. Not that bad.

09-13-2005, 04:09 PM	#10
krazylegz Junior Member Account #: 86059 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,195	Just uppers would be maybe 3 hours per side? I did all of the arms in 13, but I took a few breaks... and I was working alone on jackstands. I'm also not a mechanic, and generally need more time to do my work than people here say it will take. __________________ ~Krazylegz~ '00 S4 6spd Bilstein PSS9 Piggie SS 18x8.5 RS4 reps

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