2004 A8 D3 Powerflex Bushings
 

My understanding is that the D3 A8 uses the same bushings as the B5 A4 for the front control arms (upper and lower front and rear). Would that mean that the polyurethane bushings made by powerflex for the B5 A4 could be used on the D3 A8? I replaced the front control arm bushings on my previous car (2002 S60) with powerflex and loved them! The new car (2004 A8L) is in need of new control arm bushings and I would like to replace them with poly bushings. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

what did you notice to be different ?
 

I've never heard about them.

Interesting...

Where did you hear that they are the same bushing?

That would be great if that is the case and mine are well getting crunchy.

I've checked other websites, a few said they are for the a4/a6/a8 and passat. If they are the same size I don't see why they wouldn't work. I don't have any experience whatsoever on this though. Would be nice to find a more durable replacement though.

A4 and A8 have same upper arm bushings. Part number: 8D0 407 515 C.

Potential problem with polyurethane bushings is that usually they are not fused with inner and outer metal parts so they slide instead flexing rubber. That can create a huge noise. Usually they come with special grease to prevent that, but I am not sure how long it would work.

Could be trial and error...
 

The origin of the basic aluminum suspension set up in the front of the D3 (putting aside the air spring) is part way through the D2 run when it was switched from steel to aluminum. In turn the design was borrowed from the A4 line 3 or 4 generations ago. I know of it since it also migrated to the A6 during the C5 run, first with the 4.2 in 2000.

From doing my C5 4.2, I think the arms and such are often model specific. It could be the bushings are more generic. Of course right there is likely exactly a/the weak spot of the design--Audi should not be using stuff from a set up back in an old A4 3,500 pound era (even that, a porker for its then size) and particularly with much lighter and smaller wheels and unsprung weights (think 15's and 16's and like 205's give or take ) and fitting the same size bushings on a car up well into the mid 4000 pound range with combined wheel and tire weights up to 50% heavier and similarly with meaningful larger disks and associated weights. Same issue I saw on the C5 where they really grew the mass and unsprung weights a lot over the years and with the various models but seemed to overlook the inevitable effect on the suspension bits.

Poly bushing can be noisy if you don't keep them greased up, but if this is a direct fit, this could be a great way to get a more durable replacement for all of us.

Could be a blessing in disguise that Audi never re-engineered some of this stuff.

I'll be the guinea pig on this one.

I ordered a set yesterday, and they should be here tomorrow.

With any luck i'll be getting them installed this weekend...

I'll post back with my findings

You promised.

Sorry for the late late late reply been out with some medical issues.

Please see my reply to Marks thread here https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...4&postcount=32