Control Arm Longevity

[Bordom]

I've read much about our control arms and their tendency to fail after relatively low miles. I've read that after 50k miles you should replace them. After 75k miles, your bushings/ball joints are pretty much worn. And at 100k miles your ball joints should be dead.

Now I have about 155k on my OEM standard suspension 96. The ball joints and bushings all look relatively well kept for an 18 yr old car. Minor cracks but nothing major. The only thing I've had to replace is a straight control arm that had a ripped boot due to careless mechanics.

Anyone else have control arms that survived to this mileage?

[thunderlips]

Its hit or miss with control arms. In the northeast are roads are so bad they fail more often. I have always said they should have a grease fitting for the ball joints. As for the bushings replacement arms should be tightened at the ride height. So often the suspension is hanging down on a lift then tightened. When the car is back on the ground it puts added stress on the bushings causing them to prematurly fail

[Bordom]

thunderlips: I completely understand the aspect of tightening things down at ride height. My car has lived in Southern Ontario it's entire life. It retains all the original control arms from the factory (minus the one I replaced). For an 18 yr old car that lives in shitty weather, and worse shitty roads, I'm surprised these common failing components have survived this long.

Anyone else report long lasting factory control arms?

[RoadRage]

I think mine started squeaking around 98k. Most of the replacements I put in are still going strong at 145k. I recently had to replace 3 of the replacements.

These things seem hit or miss with longevity in mind.

[benni302]

I purchased my 2000 A4 Quattro w 177k, currently 184k, on the clock as the 2nd owner and to my knowledge the control arms on the car are the factory ones. I was just recently under the car when i installed the coilovers and they visually appear to be fine with no abnormal wear/tear and there are no squeaks or other noises coming from them.

[RallyeBourne]

My car is a '99 with 151k miles. Mine need to be replaced like nobody's business. But, they are still the OEM units. Previous owner 'claims' they must have failed after I got the car, because he never felt any shaking. -_- Bullshit, you're not going to lose all, like, 12 arms all at once.

On that note, my buddy builds rear adjustable control arms for the Scion TC, and has access to good bushings for dirt cheap. What's the general consensus on replacing just the bushings? Honestly, I haven't even looked at if this could be done, just thought I'd ask since we were on the subject. :)

[shepa401]

I have a 2001 and I replaced my uppers when i installed my ST's around 190k miles and just this past weekend i replaced my lowers around 205k miles.

[woolveren]

The stock control arms in my car were okay till 200k, but soon they became very bad by around 210k where the front end shakes like a roller coaster upon sudden brakings.

I've then replaced the full set with Febi kit(all made in Germany) and no issues so far after 40k miles on them..I think Febi makes the stock control arms.

[Bordom]

Wow, this is great information from all of you! It seems they don't fail as often as people would make them out to.

The stock control arms in my car were okay till 200k, but soon they became very bad by around 210k where the front end shakes like a roller coaster upon sudden brakings.

I've then replaced the full set with Febi kit(all made in Germany) and no issues so far after 40k miles on them..I think Febi makes the stock control arms.

I've read around that Lemforder are the OEM control arms. Anyone confirm or deny this info?

[malanca]

Lemförder indeed makes OEM control arms, but I've also seen TRW control arms as stock. Febi does not make anything
and is just a trading company; they put their brand on 3rd party parts.

Forget the idea that anything of these control arms kits are made in Germany, it is all produced in China.

Here some pictures of Lemförder, you can see the OEM partnumbers on it and the deleted Audi stamp due to trademark rights:

[Gberg888]

My A4 has 202k on it and I need to replace the arms very soon.

The biggest thing that needs to be done when install has already been said, but its very important to tighten everything at Ride Height. I just picked up a set of adjustable uppers and HD lowers so those will be going in this summer.

[woolveren]

Febi does not make anything and is just a trading company; they put their brand on 3rd party parts.

Forget the idea that anything of these control arms kits are made in Germany, it is all produced in China.

Okay, so those pictures tells that Lemforder is the OE manufacturer of control arms. I never knew that.

Also, I just went and looked at the control arms in my car. The febi control arms had actually Germany imprinted on metal, I was thinking it said Made in Germany but it is not. So not sure whether this really mean that these control arms are manufactured in Germany. No other country name can be seen on the control arms.
Does anybody know what this means?