Control Arm failure
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Control Arm failure
What Model Years are affected by the Control Arm problem? I have a 98.5 A4 1.8TQ. I don't hear any noise, but have 6000 miles left on warranty and don't want to hear something at 51000 miles...
Thanks!
Thanks!
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AFAIK, all model years are affected. I had both replaced on my '97.
<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=161"</a><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/a4registrydl.jpg" BORDER=0></a>
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Re: How can I tell?
creaking when you hit bumps. You should be able to bounce your car when its off and parked and hear them rather than turn the wheel to hear bad tie rods. Trust me tho, you will hear them when it happens, its not like its real subtle or anything. I was embarrased to drive my car when one of them went bad. 
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From: US PA
Various symptoms.....
First there are 12 control arms on a quattro, 4 each side front and 2 each side rear. They cost approximately $400-500 to replace EACH including labor.
They will creak, clunk, squeal when turning...or just loose when pryed or twisted. I would say all A4 control arms are in varous stages of wear and if you removed all of them and twisted the ball joints you wouldn't be happy with what you find! This was just a very poor design that will go to haunt us owners who go to trade it in or sell privately....dealers/buyers will start saying that I may have to replace $5,000 worth or control arms so I can't offer you too much!
They will creak, clunk, squeal when turning...or just loose when pryed or twisted. I would say all A4 control arms are in varous stages of wear and if you removed all of them and twisted the ball joints you wouldn't be happy with what you find! This was just a very poor design that will go to haunt us owners who go to trade it in or sell privately....dealers/buyers will start saying that I may have to replace $5,000 worth or control arms so I can't offer you too much!
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