Control Arm Recommendations
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Maryland
Control Arm Recommendations
I found out today I have a broken ball joint in the driver side control arm. I also see that ECS has a special running on control arms(convenient). What do you all recommend when purchasing replacements? Should I stick with OEM or would after market ones such as the control arms ECS is selling be better?
Also would you recommend changing out the shocks while I have everything apart. My A4 just hit 91,000 miles and I'm not sure when or if the shocks were ever replaced. Thanks everyone for any insight!!!
Also would you recommend changing out the shocks while I have everything apart. My A4 just hit 91,000 miles and I'm not sure when or if the shocks were ever replaced. Thanks everyone for any insight!!!
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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I would recommend Meyle (the best bang for your buck), Febi is good too. The OEM pieces are very expensive, and in my opinion, not even close to being worth it. The condition of your shocks will be heavily dependent on where you live and how you drive. Replacing them really depends on the condition of the shocks, also, I am assuming that you're only doing the front control arms, so, to do the back shocks would be extra work, but it's up to you [and maybe you mechanic]. By the way, ECS is fantastic, I have been ordering from them for years. Hope this helps!
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
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I see that you spoke with the representative from ECS, I can't speak about the euro spec control arms as I have never used them, they may be good. I was not able to find any reviews on the net, maybe their new. But anyway, if you go with the euro spec, I'm sure everyone here would love to hear about the fit, quality, and in time, how they have held up
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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IMO, I stick with Lemforder, TRW or MOOG for control arms. Meyle is known to not last in the past, so they came up with the HD series. Not sure how well those HD kits are. There have been people who've changed out there suspension for an aftermarket kit, only to find out, the replacement parts last only about 2 years. You should be able to find TRW lower control arms for your car, which are OEM.
Last edited by ezveedub; Apr 11, 2012 at 06:53 PM.
Audiworld Junior Member
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Sorry, I should have specified, I have only ever used Meyle HD, they have held up very well, they also have a 4 year warranty. ezveedub, do you know of any retailers that sell Lemforder, TRW or MOOG kits, I did a quick search to get a idea about pricing, and was not able to find anyone retailing kits. Thanks.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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Sorry, I should have specified, I have only ever used Meyle HD, they have held up very well, they also have a 4 year warranty. ezveedub, do you know of any retailers that sell Lemforder, TRW or MOOG kits, I did a quick search to get a idea about pricing, and was not able to find anyone retailing kits. Thanks.
Anyway, here is the straight lower control arm for a B6 A4 from Lemforder and TRW. If I search more, I'm sure I'll find more sources.
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._2CB14693.aspx
http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._2B69CDA3.aspx
Here are a few other arms from TRW
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...1921+9197+1090
And a few from MOOG
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...11921+9197+799
Last edited by ezveedub; Apr 11, 2012 at 07:31 PM.
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Audiworld Junior Member
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So, for TRW (OEM) that's approximately $932 for upper and lower control arms, sway bar links, and outer tie-rod ends for both sides. Not including hardware, which is$85 for OEM (on ECS), bringing the grand total to$1017 (on the internet). While, Meyle HD, with all the same components is approximately $618. I wonder if the TRW last 1.6 times longer? I live in Pittsburgh, and the roads are terrible, I also had coil-overs on my last two audis (C5 A6s), so everything wore more quickly. But, interesting to know. The previous owner of the A4 I just bought was a dealer fanatic, and did anything and everything they told him, so I have basically brand new OEM control arms and links in the front, but this is good to know for the future... as I never considered OEM control arms before, but buying TRW online seems like a pretty good deal.
So, to simplify for anyone who cares:
OEM kit: $1017
(all OEM, even the hardware)
Meyle HD kit: $618
(the kit offered on ECS does not include sway bar links, but this price is the $549.59 for the kit, with $68.72 added for two sway bar links)
Kit: The 8 necessary control arms, 2 sway bar links, 2 outer tie-rod ends, and hardware
So, to simplify for anyone who cares:
OEM kit: $1017
(all OEM, even the hardware)
Meyle HD kit: $618
(the kit offered on ECS does not include sway bar links, but this price is the $549.59 for the kit, with $68.72 added for two sway bar links)
Kit: The 8 necessary control arms, 2 sway bar links, 2 outer tie-rod ends, and hardware
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Maryland
....INTERESTING UPDATE: I was chatting with the ECS rep and he didn't try to up-sell me on the more expensive Meyle kit. He stated that he'll probably go with the less expensive Eurospec kit(whoa!). But that's what keeps me going back to ECS..honesty.