tfpav

Hi -

Would like some feedback regarding -

I have a 2001 A8L with 85k miles. The steering is very light and I get a fairly violent shake from the left front at 60mph+.

Mechanic says I need to replace the front upper control arms and tie rods, also thinks it'd be worth it replace the rear upper control arms too. Being quoted +/-$2,000.

Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks...

silverd2

Not sure what you mean by "light steering"...play? ...But, unless you have personally seen damage to your suspension arms, I'd rotate the tires or switch the front left with the spare, before I made ANY decisions.
I have 103K miles on an '01 A8, with all perfect original arms...doesn't mean yours are, but you did not describe a typical symptom of suspension arm failure...you described a tire problem.

silverd2

P.S. Even if front control arms are bad (very questionable and easy to check), the rears have nothing to do with that...different design altogether.

The front uppers are easy to check...start car, have someone turn steering back and forth, check (look/feel) for play/popping in 3 ball joints near top of tire (2 are control arms, 3rd closest to rear is tie rod end)...also watch/feel for any play/popping of rear bushings of control arms, next to top of spring.

Price is not even the question at this point...The question is if the mechanic is lying. You very likely just have a bad tire...maybe just a balance weight missing or broken belt in the tire.

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Vibration @ high speed may not cause by control arms. Check on engine/transmission mount or even transaxles, steering rod? I bought all parts on ebay for less than $400.00 (full set). Yes, they may charge a lot for labor. Buy the parts yourself (if needed) and let them install then you will know how much they really charge.
Silverd2 is correct, find the real problems first. Mine were bad @110k miles but never shake the car at high speed.

All control arms replacement are here

http://www.ltooz.com/ltooz341/blog/cars

Cheers and good luck,

Louis