JWG

1. Powerflex Urethane Front Control Arm Bushings: After 135,000 miles, my control arm bushings went to hell (one upper even completely broke, the other three uppers and the two shock bushings became aconcentric, and the lower rears showed wear). I did not want to buy new control arms, because my ball joints remained in very good condition. However, Audi does not sell bushings alone, you need to purchase the entire control arm and that will cost you well over $1000 for the set. Thus, I found a British Company that makes aftermarket bushings. They use graphite-impregenated urethane for the uppers and shock bushings, self-lubricating urethane for the rear lowers, and do not make any bushings for the front lowers as they have a much stronger three metal layer design as opposed to the two layer (metal bolt sleeve-rubber-metal casing) design of the other bushings. Performance benefits: front suspension feels incredibly firm during turning and braking (the wheels really stick to the road without any instability or suspension bounce); very good road feel. Practical benefits: a fraction of the price of replacing entire control arms and will not degrade over time like natural rubber. Drawback: Not silent like rubber; it has a mild "plastic" squeak while cold but the squeaks largely go away after the car warms up. For more info: www.powerflex.co.uk

2. Neuspeed Rear Sway Bar: Great, great mod!!! Tedious do-it-yourself, due to finger space for bolts to install subframe support bracket. However, Neuspeed cleverly took advantage of Audi's accomodation for an optional off-road quattro version commonly sold in the alps (where paved/concrete roads do not survive the winter well and gravel roads remain the norm) which uses a similar subframe support bracket. Thus, no drilling needed, as Audi cast the holes for the subframe support bracket into every A4's rear subframe. The bar itself measures 19mm versus the 13mm stock bar. Neuspeed no longer makes the 22mm bar, because it found that the 19mm bar with the subframe support bracket does the same job without placing unnecessary torsional force on the subframe. Performance benefits: 270 degree freeway transitions feel like mild turns--very little body roll. You can put the power down much earlier during long turns without feeling the least bit insecure. Practical benefits: No more understeer! The car feels completely neutral. Swaybars do not affect ride comfort on straight aways. Drawback: None. For a good price, check out www.greedspeed.com.

3. Neuspeed Lower Front Tie Bar: Very easy do-it-yourself mod--just properly support the subframe to prevent the back side from dropping while you replace the bolts. Make sure your tool kit has the 18mm socket as many tool kits skip this size. Performance Benefits: Not noticeable during normal driving, but improved feeling of rigidity during spirited driving. Practical benefits: Neuspeed engineered the bar to provide better ground clearance (at least 10mm in my estimate). Drawback: None. For a good price, check out www.greedspeed.com.

silveravnt

Damn it, the front lower are the problematic ones IIRC.

skabaru

how bad was install? you are basically pulling the entire front suspension correct?

[tri]liament

what setting do you have the rear sway on?

JWG

You can also set it on medium (one upper, one lower) or hard (both uppers). However, using the upper setting brings both the sway bar closer to the half shaft and puts more torsional stress through the links which may also contact the half shaft. To avoid putting any more stress than necessary, try the sway bar on soft first as it's very easy to set it upward later.

sancho

Wrong! Upper control arms bushing sold for $30 each in Downtown Fine Cars.