Sawdusty Dan

From FCP Euro -
Links - $88
CAs - $312 (set of 4, with H/W)

From Audi Parts department in Omaha -
SB bushings - < $30 (?)
Misc. H/W - $25-ish

So, call it $455 or so for all of what's shown. All of it is either Lemforder or other OEM stock from Audi Parts department. Not a great amount, especially when you consider the "dealership premium" for those CAs and links, plus the $$$ for labor!!
Still going to have Audi Omaha do an alignment, after the installation. I like going there - good people, good technicians and always willing to take the time to chat and answer all my semi-intelligent questions.

Sawdusty Dan

Swapped out the front sway bar links and bushings today. Did it in my garage at home, using a pair of Harbor Freight ramps and "raising" the car in MMI. Could have used another 1/2" to 3/4" of height, as I lightly scraped the ramp with the lower driver's side valance. Ramps with an 8-inch rise would be sufficient, as these are 9". Was "teleworking" back-n-forth between the garage and house, as I never did set up my laptop to work out there, so it took most of the day. Spent a fair amount of time just cleaning out leaves and debris from behind and under the grille and between the radiators! Remove the forward black plastic panel, as well. If you do this job (or anything requiring removal of the front/bottom cover) do yourself and your car a favor and CLEAN THAT CRAP OUT!

It all went very, very easily and I had nary a problem with any part of it. With the car sitting on its wheels, the links came out with zero effort - two bolts, one nut, bada-bing-bada-boom. Bushings were equally simple, with just two nuts each, pry the bar out a bit, swap the stuff, easy-peasy.

I was playing some sweet OLD blues (Ma Rainey, Robert Johnson, Billie Holiday, John Lee Hooker, Lucille Bogan, etc.) all day through my phone on my garage stereo and didn't stop it to take any pictures. Sorry. However comma this is about the simplest suspension parts swap you can do and, once you see it, you'll see pics aren't necessary.

Tools: 1/2" socket, 5/8" socket, 5/8" combo wrench, 5/8" ratcheting wrench, 3/8" ratchet and breaker bar, T-30 Torx driver or bit, T-15 Torx driver or bit, #3 Phillips and/or 5/16" stubby common screwdriver. You could use a torque wrench, as well, but I just used my German Torque Spec Wrench (Gutentite!)

I hope to do the rears tomorrow. I also still have the upper control arms I need to swap out, as well. Probably do a separate post for THAT job!

Eyvind Mondragon

Let me know how the rear goes.
It was very difficult for me.
the new bushings were larger than the sway bar and the holders.

OberklasseA8

I did the whole front end with the FCP kit. One benefit is it makes the whole front end tighten up, similar to when the car was brand new I believe.

Sawdusty Dan

Eyvind,

I just posted pics and a narrative of my rear sway bar link and bushing replacement. Not horrible, but not a lot of fun. Still, it's a job anyone, I believe, could do.

Cheers!

Sawdusty Dan

Starting the replacement of my upper control arms today. New thread, with pics, coming soon to an Audi A8 Forum near you!