iamrizzy

Ok guys, so I just replaced all the front end control arms upper and lower, along with new tie rods. My issue is that when driven there is an awful lot of sway in the front end, going over bumps, manholes, train tracks, etc the whole front end is out of control. I had an alignment done after the control arms were installed. Should i replace the sway bar that connects to the lower arms or what? Lately I just drive the car up and down the street, nowhere far. BTW this is the model: 2000 A6 2.8 Quattro.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Did it sway before you did this?

clancy

Shocks struts?

johnkk

Have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth while you look under the car and check the suspension and steering linkage. First on the ground and then on jackstands. See if anything moves. One long shot, is a loose steering rack. I doubt that sway bar bushings or links could be that bad, but not impossible. The sway bar itself should last for 200 years.

clancy

good call. Had this issue before. I think it was similar symptoms.

Huskerbob

Did you torque all fasteners at ride height?

iamrizzy

@sloopjohn: no it didn't sway at all before the new control arms.
@johnkk: I'll do that asap. Somebody had told me that it was a good idea to replace the sway bar when replacing the control arms, but it appeared to be in excellent condition.

johnkk

Friend probably meant the sway bar bushings and links, which often come with the full control arm kit. Bars last forever.