Killjoy69

Hi all, I'm new to the board so excuse me if this is a dumb question.

I just bought a 2000 s4, my first one. I've always loved them and decided to treat myself to a fun car. As a good new owner I took it in for an oil change and to see if there are any serious problems.

I then hear from the tech that the outer tie rod end boots are torn, and both driver upper control arms boots were torn and the upper rearmost control arm. Then he tells me it's $1123 for the control arms and $357 for the tie rod end.

Why does a torn boot require replacing the whole arm? Isn't just a matter of replacing the boot? And what problems are caused by having a torn boot am I asking for some catastrophic suspension failure? Is this something i must fix now or can it wait a little bit? And finally is the dealer jacking me around on the price, would an indendant shop do it for much cheaper?

Thanks in advance.

ZephyrS4

probably save you a few hundred dollars. After a while you'll hear and feel clunking when they get really bad and have lots of play in them.

M3KILR

So not cheap but they are fairly easy to replace. I'm having all four upper controls and both tie rod ends replaced on Monday. I would like to do them myself but just don't have the time. I'll let you know how long it takes but I would say 1hr a side if that helps any. Also if it isn't covered under warr. have a private shop do it unless you trust your Audi guys and they have decent rates.

M3KILR

you can drive on them awhile too your tires might not like it though

s4what?

Common w/ MY 2000 - replace w/ upgraded OEM members

davenew

<center><img src="http://www.blauparts.com/featured_items/A4-A6%20suspension%20kit%20w-tie%20rod%20ends.jpg"></center><p>The four arms shown in the center of the pic are the upper front arms. They have balljoints at one end (outer) and rubber bushings at the other (inner).

http://www.stopshopanddrive.com<ul><li><a href="http://www.blauparts.com/featured_items/A4%20Improved%20Cntrl%20Arms.shtml">http://www.blauparts.com/featured_items/A4%20Improved%20Cntrl%20Arms.shtml</a></li></ul>

Killjoy69

Do you have any recommendations for Upgraded members?

s4what?

Audi has upgraded them with several revisions since 2000. Standard parts at the parts counter now.

s4_250hp

Just had mone done also - extended warranty took care of it though

Killjoy69

But I just bought the car last week and I'm worried that they will claim it's a pre-exsiting condition. I'm thinking about just leaving them be for a month or 6 weeks. And then report it to the warrenty company. And hope that they'll fix them.