turner56

the original parts are forged steel, why not just press in new bushings?

m1964

I do not think a mechanic can press in the bushings as well as in a factory; lower arms have ball joints that cannot be replced.
Our Q did most if its mileage in New York (not in Manhattan), the roads where we drive are far from perfect...
I was told by a knowledgable mechaninc a few years ago that by 100K miles all Audis will require suspension to be rebuilt.
Apparently, he was right.
We have not decided what to do- fix it or replace.
I wanted to test drive Golf Alltrack but no dealer has one...

turner56

You can rent the tools for free from just about any auto parts store and do it yourself. You can replace your lower ball joint as well. I think I could teach a 10 year old to push out a bushing using a threaded press...

MP4.2+6.0

Same as prior answer in general, and I disagree. That is, it sounds like you are going down the road of replacing everything. That tends to be tied to kits, which are often of dubious manufacturing source/quality.

Having owned many an Audi well past 100K, it is not true that the lower arms in particular need to be routinely replaced. Upper ones and sway bar links on any of the newer (last 15-20 years) designs, yes commonly. Lower ones, no.

Before doing any lower ones at 100K, you really want a specific confirming inspection they are bad. The good ones add up for cost, and they are more difficult to replace than the upper ones. Sway bar links are easy.

m1964

Hi MP4.2+6.0,
Thanks for replying to my post.

I was told that the bushings were bad on the rearward arms, and the forward arms were "OK".
I bought all the parts, but I do not want to replace "everything" unless it is necessary. I am going to take the Q to an Audi Specialist in the morning, I will ask them to check if it is necessary to replace the lower arms.
If not, I will return the parts it did not need.
However, since they would be replacing other components, I thought it would be good to have everything "just in case..."
Regarding pressing the bushings in, I was told that it would be about the same price since pressing the bushings in requires extra time.

I did not buy the "kit", I bought all the components separately. Mostly TRW, made in Czechia, two links by Lemforder (OEM?) and forward arms by Meyle - there were no other options for Q5 produced before Nov. 2009.
I will update this post after the repair.

PS
the roads are really bad where we drive, especially after NYC has been replacing sewers and patching the roads very badly. We drive on a giant "washboards" often, enough to kill any suspension.

m1964

I had a look at the old arms and links this morning- all bushings were torn. Not completely, but alsmost there on lower arms. Ball joints lose.
I am not sure if it is bad roads, salt in the winter/ heat in the summer...
Ahh I know!! It must be my wife's driving style, that's it!
Now, once again, the suspension is quiet as a mouse.

Thanks to everyone who replied to me.