What is Control Arm Problem?

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Jul 21, 2000 | 07:04 AM

deosola

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What is Control Arm Problem?

I've noticed several people over a long period of time would talk about Control Arm Problems.

What is it?

How can you tell if you have it?

Jul 21, 2000 | 07:29 AM

Audi2Ody

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It's really a control arm "bushing" problem....

it's refered to as the control arm problem because Audi does not source the bushings by themselves so the entire arm has to be replaced.

The symptom is a creaking or squeaking sound coming from the front left or right suspension. The sound starts out soft and gets increasingly loud and annoying and easier to reproduce. It can get to the point where you don't have to drive over a bump to induce it...you can just push down on the fender and hear the creak.

I think that Audi has been slow to address this design problem because it is not a safety issue; whereas they acted very quickly on the TT high-speed handling issue.

I've had both LCAs replaced on my car and am keeping my fingers crossed now that I'm out of warranty.

HTH,
Dave<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>

Jul 21, 2000 | 07:36 AM

Audi2Ody

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Also...just to clarify....

it's a creaking/squeaking sound.

I also had a rattling sound in the RF suspension once and it ended up being an UPPER control arm replacement, and the service advisor said he was glad I brought it in when I did because it wasn't safe. This problem is not considered a common problem reported on this forum.

So if it's creaking/squeaking it should be LCA and no big hurry to get it checked. But if it's a rattling sound over bumps then get it looked at sooner rather than later for UCA replacement.<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>

Jul 21, 2000 | 09:24 AM

ImprezaGuy

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What about a clunking sound?

'97 Audi A4 1.8T - Black on black
'00 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS - Blue on grey

Jul 21, 2000 | 09:27 AM

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I had creaking sounds in the rear which turned out to be leaky shocks.

Jul 21, 2000 | 10:53 AM

Audi2Ody

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I would put clunking and rattling in a similar category. Get it checked.

Jul 21, 2000 | 10:56 AM

Audi2Ody

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I don't think the rear suspension is a common trouble sport for the A4.

I guess a creaking in the front could certainly be a leaky shock as well. It's just that the LCA seems to be the most common problem on the A4.<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>