Ponaitis Tadas

Hello, for my university project i need to write how to change AUDI A8 4.2 2008year lower front control arm. I need to analyze its most common defects like bushing problem, i also need photos of those defects. Does anyone have any information that could help me? I would be grateful.

MP4.2+6.0

The lower control arms rarely have issues. It is the front upper control arm with the common issues, typically at the inside bushing. It is common on at least any of the heavier Audis with the same general aluminum arm set up. The set up started with the A4's in the late 90's, then the D2 A8, then the C5 A6 starting with the 4.2 in 2000 (and somewhat later the other motors), then the D3 A8.

Ponaitis Tadas

So basically changing A8 front control arms is the same as A6 C5 and so on? Maybe you have photos of cracked or damaged audi bushings? Im unable to find them, either the photo is expired or it is not audi.

ECS Tuning-Audi

Google is your friend! If you do an image search I'm sure you'll find more than enough pics that show diagrams and worn control arm bushings.

Ball joints can fail but its rare.

Jason

MP4.2+6.0

Yes, the design is the same on later C5 A6's/S6's (starts in 2000 w/ 4.2s) and on later D2 A8's/S8's. Then the successor models too. Also found on A4's/S4's of any recent vintage as I mentioned. If you just search for the arms on eBay, you will see how they are listed for all kinds of Audis, plus a general sense of appearance when new. On the D3, the principal difference is the air shock unit instead of coil springs and a strut. The arms still the same general design.

If you search on Google and pick Images, you will get a lot of hits. Try something like "Audi" and ""front control arm." Even on AW, I checked and if you Advanced Seach on this D3 board with a search like "front" and "control arm" I got 125+ hits. I expect many more on other boards too. Then the ones w/ the paper clips on the search hits screen had images when I checked the first two, including one I recall where someone swapped to polyurethane bushings.