Originally Posted by
pw-sherman
I have the SPC Arms and H&R Coils on my A5. I get that clicking/popping noise when going into my driveway, but not during normal driving. I drive my car a lot so I have had to replace the bushings twice (75k and 130k) and other than the previously mentioned driveway noise, the SPC arms/bushings are the same as the oem ones. Noticed you're in Utah, PM me if you'd like to meet up and we can take the car out so you can experience it first hand.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, I will certainly let you know!
Originally Posted by
shyamvenky
Greetings fellow enthusiasts :)
When my 08 3.2 A5 went for service last month, I was also told that the upper control arm bushings were worn.
The dealership quoted ~$850 for the job - I'll prolly not go with them for the job.
In a lot of threads I read on the forum, the control arms were also replaced when the bushings were worn.
Is that the norm? Or can just the bushings be replaced?
My local shop quoted me $650 for he job. Most of the aftermarket solutions are rebuildable, but I think it is best just to replace the entire arm if it is stock.
Originally Posted by
JoshDub
Technically the bushings can be replaced, but the balljoints in the control arms wear out as well. You may as well swap out the entire arm.
034 makes a density line non adjustable set for $180. They also make an adjustable set for I believe around $400. A TRW (OEM) set is about $200, SPC and LYKT both make adjustable sets.
$850 is a lot. I just did mine this weekend (TRW, would have gone with 034 but they ~just~ released them) in my driveway in 2 hours. You will need an alignment afterwards.
Yeah, I was checking that out too....034 just came out with a Density Line variant...might be another option....
Originally Posted by
Vanimal
What is a sign your bushings are torn by driving or just really worn, without obviously jacking the car up and looking? I am at 85K with everything stock aside from H&R OE springs. I plan to either replace the stock shocks with Bilstein sport shocks this spring, or perhaps go to coil overs. Car rides pretty damn good still with everything being not refreshed to my knowledge.
There can be a lot of symptoms, depends on the exact cause of failure (worn/torn, which one, ect.
My car feels a little squirrelly when hitting certain bumps or driving on a road with even minor ruts; the wheel pulls to a side when it shouldn't. When I hit a bump with say the right front wheel, the car will pull and track to the right a couple inches...this typically won't happen if all the bushings were good. It will also 'walk' a little bit when driving on roads that have ruts in the asphalt. There is a road like this on my way home from work, and lets just say on that road I have to keep my hands on the wheel to keep the car going in a straight line.
Then recently, it started to act funny when in reverse. If I back straight up, it's fine. But if I back up and turn the wheel all the way to the left, I will get a "pop" from the right front of the car, and to an extent it almost feels like the car is dragging the right front wheel. Same thing but on the left if I back up and turn the other direction.
But although I knew something up front wasn't right, I didn't know what was wrong until I had looked into it.
Originally Posted by
Sinrule
Definitely looking for input on this as well, my '09 A5 is at 115k miles and my mechanic informed me that all control arms on the front were worn and needed to be replaced.
I was thinking about going with the 034 upper and lower complete set for $495 since it seemed like such a strong value to me. Anyone have input on the 034 non-adjustable control arms? I'm not really planning on lowering my car or doing a lot of suspension work. Also, is there's a DIY for the upper and lower control arms? I have access to a lift and tools, but on a tight budget so I'd rather not pay labor for it.
Much obliged.
Yeah, I'm really considering that Density Line kit as well. I'm wondering if 034 will mix that with the adjustable uppers, as I would want the ability to adjust when I do wheels/tires/springs (coilovers?). I kinda feel since my uppers are so bad just to have the lowers done while I am in there anyway. There can't be much wear left of the lowers and the balljoints if 3 out of 4 of my uppers are torn....
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