control arm problems?

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Apr 21, 2003 | 12:15 PM

blocko

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Joined: Mar 2003

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control arm problems?

Why do the control arms wear out so fast? Is there something about the design or the materials that is so different than on other models?

Apr 21, 2003 | 01:26 PM

bcacly

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Joined: Oct 2001

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inhernet design issue...

rubber bushings are bonded into the contorl arm and unable to rotate relative to it's hole. when the arm moves there is a shear force in the rubber bushing. rubber in shear will always fail eventually, the material just isn't that great in shear. audi isn't the only one doing this though so i don't know what makes audi particularly prone to it. maybe the torque on the bolt causes the entire bolt-bushing-arm system to bind from friction while other manufacturers have lower torque specs allowing some slip between bolt shaft and rubber bushing to relieve the shear force?