control arm questions/suggestions
10-15-2005, 10:12 PM
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control arm questions/suggestions
so my front left bottom control arm is goin out. im told its best to go with OEM control arms otherwise you get a lotta noise or something. if this is the case, neone kno off the top of their head how much they are? or is it actually ok to go aftermarket for control arms? and are they hard to install? i was quoted 150 for labor. or is it worth the time(assuming i have the tools) to just do it myself with the help of an experienced friend as long as i dont mind it taking a long time and getting frustrated??
10-15-2005, 11:01 PM
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well, i'm replacing mine with a complete Febi Bilstein CTRL arm set, u need to have a tool to.,.....
do the lower ctrl arms, the OEM arms tend to go out on ppl. audi manfactured those really poorly for some reason.
10-16-2005, 03:55 AM
#3
150 in labor sounds cheap.. CA are a pain in the arm to do because of all the
unbolting of things. also does 150 include an alignment afterwards? replace the control arms as well while you are in there.
10-16-2005, 05:51 AM
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yes it is worth it to do it yourself.. i did mine and have helped a couple friends do theirs too..
we always ordered a kit with all 8 arms 4 each side of the front wheels.. and just replaced them all but they also have over 110k miles on theirs..also replaced the tie rod ends..but it is a pain..
10-16-2005, 05:53 AM
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it must have been early when you responded sincfe you say to replace the control arms as well..
thats what hes asking about replacing.. so its hard to do it as well.. now if you mean to replace the other arms while in there.. thats not what i understood..
now if you mean to replace the other arms while in there.. thats not what i understood..
10-16-2005, 06:23 AM
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I just had 3 changed, this is how it was broken down from the dealer:
2.4 hours labor = $153.60
3 Control arms
-Right front upper front = $109.75
-Right front upper rear = $109.75
-Left front upper front = $109.75
2 screws = $3.20
2 nuts = $1.04
Tax = $16.67
TOTAL = $499.31
Aftermarket warranty paid $399.31, I paid $100.
3 Control arms
-Right front upper front = $109.75
-Right front upper rear = $109.75
-Left front upper front = $109.75
2 screws = $3.20
2 nuts = $1.04
Tax = $16.67
TOTAL = $499.31
Aftermarket warranty paid $399.31, I paid $100.
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10-16-2005, 11:15 AM
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installed aftermarket arm in my car w no problems. You need a tool though.
To remove the ball joint. VW/Audi has a special tool that pops out the ball joint that is virtually impossible to do otherwise. I actually found a very similar tool @ NAPA that only cost $20. It looks like a big allagator clip with a bolt on top that pushes the blaa joint out as you tighten the bolt.
Kris Hansen's webpg has instructions on replacing control arms. I also bought a repair book from PepBoys that was very helpful too.
All in all, it was a pain in the *** to do the 1st time around but the 2nd side went smoother since I knew what to expect.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kris-hansen.com/Audi/upper_control_arms.htm">http://www.kris-hansen.com/Audi/upper_control_arms.htm</a</li></ul>
Kris Hansen's webpg has instructions on replacing control arms. I also bought a repair book from PepBoys that was very helpful too.
All in all, it was a pain in the *** to do the 1st time around but the 2nd side went smoother since I knew what to expect.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kris-hansen.com/Audi/upper_control_arms.htm">http://www.kris-hansen.com/Audi/upper_control_arms.htm</a</li></ul>
10-16-2005, 11:58 AM
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yea my '97 has over a 150k miles on it so its time to replace them. i may just do the front
left/lower one just to get the hang of it and then replace them as needed. so i need a certain tool to pop out the ball joint and from there out its just normal tools? you guys suggest any certain place to get control arms?
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