A Foore

The control arms going bad is basically the bushings itself, correct? If so, then why do we have to replace the whole arm? Can't we just replace the bushings on the existing arms? Wouldn't that be a lot cheaper?

simply J

and although there are powerflex makes aftermarket bushings, they don't make them fr the lower control arms (which are the ones that most often go bad) however, I recall seeing lower control arm bushings on ebay a while back, so they apparently are out there.

CK:1.8T+Rabbitâ„¢

The ball joint bushing goes bad. Like J said, not replacable.

JAFO

you can replace them with polyurithain ones made by powerflex. i'll be doing this next month.<ul><li><a href="http://www.forgemotorsport.com/vehicles.asp?cat=audia4&amp;catalog=audia4FLEX">ht tp://www.forgemotorsport.com/vehicles.asp?cat=audia4&amp;catalog=audia4FLEX</a</li></ul>

brrman

instead of pressing the bushing out and installing a new one - since the arm has to come off the car anyway...

So the cost of the control arm + labor to replace arm is cheaper than the cost of bushing + labor for removing arm, replacing bushing, putting arm back in place.

They try to get cheaper labor time to cut their costs in warranty claims.

Ritz

If you look at the arm, the bushing is molded onto the metal arm, making it a permanent fixture. There is an aftermarket company (the name escapes me at the moment) that claims to make control arms for the A4 with replaceable bushings. Those would be great if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

Personally, I just did the ol' grease gun + needle treatment to the ball joints and tie rod ends. Though I doubt that will accomplish much on the control arms since it's almost always the inner bushing that fails, not the flexible joint at the end.

Cheers,