2014 RS5 Bushing replacement cost

[wheelerdealer88]

Cross posted on RS5 FB platform.

Had some strange tire wear and decided to bring the car to Audi in DFW for its 55k mile inspection and an alignment as something seems off.

Long story short, the dealership came back telling me I need to replace all my bushings and that it’s a $2500+ job.
I’ve done this on my old 993 P-Car and it wasn’t even nearly this cost at an independent.

I don’t know the RS5 suspension that well (yet!) but the cost here seems absurd.

Anyone have any insight as to the costs I should be budgeting for here?


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[Ape Factory]

Hey answered you over on the Facebook forum but are they saying that every single bushing in your entire suspension system is bad or just one corner?

[wheelerdealer88]

Hey answered you over on the Facebook forum but are they saying that every single bushing in your entire suspension system is bad or just one corner?

Hey Ape Factory
Yes, saw your reply on FB; thank you!
In total, 10 bushings, which I believe is every bushing on the front end upper and lower control arms...here’s the list of parts they gave me : $925 + Tax






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[Ape Factory]

Audi uses stretch bolts which are a one-time torque to spec bolt. They need to be replaced each time the nut is removed. There's obviously additional cost in that.

The upper control arm inner bushings are a known issue and they do tend to go bad. With that said, I have 60K on my bushings and not one of them is torn. If I were you, I'd have the car inspected at another dealer or independent shop. It's rare to have the upper and lower bushings all torn like that unless they were all torqued improperly (not at ride height position) from the factory. Did they bring you in and at least show you the lower bushings? It's a bit hard to see the upper bushings but the lowers are right there in plain view with the wheel off.

I know the full nut/bolt package from ECS Tuning runs about $120 per corner. That's Audi OEM nuts/bolts.

[hahnmgh63]

That's got to be the first time I've ever seen a dealer have a quote for bushing replacement. I've only seen dealers replace whole arms. With that said that price is more than my dealer quoted for all of the arms replaced, not just the bushings. Although I'd never let the dealer do it. Definitely get a second opinion.

[wheelerdealer88]

Thanks guys.
@ApeFactory : when they came back with the second quote of “do 4 for $1000”, my guess is that it was the upper ones..he said these are completely cracked and would align with your comments. I knew “something” was off as I have blown the 2 front tires in the last 3 weeks.

I’ll pick up the car tomorrow and phone around a few independents for quotes.

Any advice on what else I should get done while someone is under the car that might be a challenge for a DIY’er (I don’t have a lot of the specialized tools needed)

Already bought the JHM exhaust which I’ll do myself after I get the car up and running!!


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[JamesRS5]

Has the car had any suspension work carried out in the past, it seems unusual for all the bushings to fail but it's very possible if the front springs have been replaced and the control arm bolts torqued with the car still on the lift.

Anyway, there's an offer on a 034 full kit including mounting hardware from ECS:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-034motor...-401-1045~034/

Factor in approximately 2 hours labor plus an alignment on top of the parts.

[hahnmgh63]

I know 034 is having a sale right now but that ECS kit above is the best price going. I might have to buy a set as I stole my new Meyle HD set I had for the RS5 to put on my S5 so now I need another set of arms.

[wheelerdealer88]

Had a local independent replace all the hardware for $1700 all-in...
Car drives like new....and I saved money for more mods... :-)


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