Audi A8 4.2 2012: need a new front suspension

[mondrage]

Hello there,

Just purchased an A8 4.2 2012.
The front suspension makes clunking noises when going over rough surfaces or cobble stones.
What'd be the best option?
I found a front suspension kit on EuropaParts. Is that equivalent to buying directly from Audi?
It's $1,483 vs $2,790.

Thanks for the help!

[BASARAB]

just need new bushings

[richard-tx]

Specifically, upper control arm bushings.

[mondrage]

that's what I thought... but the previous owner was going to replace the whole shebang... so, I'll try just replacing the upper control arm.
How do you replace just the bushings? I thought they are sold only as the complete upper control arm.

I bought the EuropaParts Ultimate Front Suspension Kit.

Should I replace everything, or just try the upper control arm?

Anybody has had the same issue (rhetorical question)?

[MP4.2+6.0]

Start w/ upper control arms, or as mentioned bushings only. Dealer or OES, which is probably Lemforder like D3. Or, buy aftermarket and don't be surprised to br doing it again in 20K miles or as little as a year. Also make sure you know how to install them (beyond pressing bushings in), or you will also be doing it again in a year. In particular, need to be tightened on the bushing end with car on ground, or otherwise in same position. Also look at sway bar end links, which are showing up a fair amount as a D4 issue. Those are very easy to install, and no press needed like if you do the upper arm work as bushings only instead of complete arms.

By the way, specifically do NOT replace functionally good OE arms, especially lower, with aftermarket new. A trade down, and setting up greater likelihood of issues, not reducing it.

[mondrage]

By the way, specifically do NOT replace functionally good OE arms, especially lower, with aftermarket new. A trade down, and setting up greater likelihood of issues, not reducing it.

Okay, this is the kit I bought: https://www.europaparts.com/ultimate...-a4-s8-d4.html

So, you are saying not to install all of the parts, specially the lower control arms?

Thanks for the assist. New to Audi.

[mondrage]

Replaced it.
The lower control arms were shot. Specially the big arm. The top were fine but changed them anyway.



Both larger lower control arm were shot.


The smaller lower control arms that hold the level sensor were cracked. Not as bad as the larger ones.


These were just very loose.

Upon changing the suspension, the car detected changes in the steering and on the suspension geometry.
Calling for a recalibration on the steering and "mechanical failure or geometry change" on the suspension. INCREDIBLE!
when playing with VCDS I unwittingly pressed the calibration on the steering angle, causing even more problems (see here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...e-Sensor-Reset).
All solved.
I believed the camber of the right wheel was affected. Almost half a degree outside of spec.
The car's steering was true, but it seem that the steering was fighting with itself. Moving a bit. Steering felt very heavy off center.
After a few days, the cars seems to be settling better.

I did make sure to torque the control arms at the spec distance (41 cm from lip of wheel well to center of wheel).

So far, so good.
I'll wait a few more days, before attempting to correct the camber.
It cannot actually be changed. The sub-frame must be shifted to bring the camber only to within spec values.

I got my car back.
Hopefully these control arms will last more than 20,000 km (12K mi)!!!

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[richard-tx]

If you tightened the bolts with the car jacked up, the bushings will fail in short order. The car has to be at the correct height then the bolts tightened. Always get an alignment whenever parts are replaced.

[mondrage]

I did read that in the manual. Lowered the car to the spec height before tightening the screws. Should be good


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[mondrage]

I mean, so far so good.


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