I don't know if this is an old recall or not. I received notice in the mail today about the bushings on the lower front control arms, concerning A4, A6 and A8, years 94? - 99.

Of course, they will only replace or issue a reimbursement if:

1.) The bushings are worn.

2.) Serviced your vehicle strictly according to the service guide AND only had it serviced at and Audi dealer or a place certified by Audi.

I had both of these replaced about 4 months ago. What a load of crap.

 

damn, not model year 2000 and up?

 

I just received the recall notice today as well. I'm with you as far as the stipulations for them to honor their recall- I wonder what "scheduled maintenance" that MUST be performed by an Audi dealer that would prevent this from happening? Alignment is the ONLY maintenance item that could affect this part, and I'm not sure if front end alignment is even listed as a maintenanace item. They are using thes stipulations to get out of their responsibility, the ba$tards! Love Audi cars, HATE their custome service/AoA/Dealer network!!!!! I wonder what they would say if I took my old arms (I still have them for some unknown reason) in and showed them to them, or better yet reinstall the old arms and make them replace them!!!!!!

 

Before I made the switch to Audi I had BMW's for several years, and they were always a problem in their models too. Except the repair bill was even worse because the bushings are part of the front subframe; $2000 bill if done by the dealer.

Am I missing something? Do Japanese brands have this problem too?

And it's not just a problem in the older cars, I had a 2003 A4 that was starting to show indications of the bushings wearing.

What are the tell-tale signs in the A8?

 

I'm going to go to the local audi dealer with this one.. could be amoosing.

 

The lower front control arm part number is the same for the 2000my. I don't suppose anyone knows which federal office deals with recalls? Is it the NHTSA or some other entity? Anyone know the particular office? Would they be interested in receiving samples of your (or mine) 2000 arms. Better still make the offer to Audi of America suggesting that if they are not interested in receiving them (and voluntary refunding the replacement value) that you will send them to the appropriate NHTSA investigation office.

Unlike unintentional accelleration, this time they have a real defect on their hands. They should not wait for the lawyers to compel them to do what they know they should. ....And if you wait for federal regulators to order you, the plaintiffs class action attorneys won't be far behind. If the issue is publicized and they do nothing about it, you can bet there will be many claims that erratic steering control caused by defective front suspension components caused the accident(s).

Another point to make with Audi is, If there is nothing wrong with the parts, why does your OE manufacturer, Meyle, promote their new and improved parts which address the weakness of the original design. This is the case for the 2000my as well.

Oh, those arms are different you say...but the bushing part number is the same one....see: <a href="http://www.wulfgaertner.com/Home/application.asp?lan=en&images=&ma=5&de=30713069069 &mo=14201777506&ba=14201769450&" target="_top">Meyle electronic catalog</a>

And if you think there is some significance to the difference in the shape of the unaffected arms in my2000, again it is the identical part for the effected lower front control arms from 3/94 through 9/2002. Same part number...Audi part number 8D0 407 151 E and Meyle number 116 050 8228/HD. Oh yeah, this is the number for the improved heavy duty Meyle part as indicated by the "HD" in the Meyle part number. Search the part number on the Meyle site and click show picture. Same part.

What is Audi thinking about?

Disappointed,

Brian C.<ul><li><a href="http://www.wulfgaertner.com/Home/application.asp?lan=en&amp;images=&amp;ma=5&amp;de =30713069069&amp;mo=14201777506&amp;ba=14201769450 &amp;">Meyle electronic catalog</a></li></ul>

 

Got the letter today too. Mine seem to be OK though

 

Show them fight them yell at them. They deserve it.

 

darn, no letter yet but I had all of my arms replaced 2 years ago.



Can I bring them my old arms??

 

"2.) Serviced your vehicle strictly according to the service guide AND only had it serviced at an Audi dealer or a place certified by Audi."

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there is no maintenance required for any of the suspension bits, other than to inspect for failure and to do alignments. It's not like there are any zerk grease fittings, or anything of that sort.

So to be eligible, you have to have maintained a non-maintenance part? Horse apples, Audi. How stupid do you think we are?