MOT Advisories - Advice/Prices (suspension arm parts)

[Jonfun]

Hi All

Recently MOT'd my 2016 A4 Avant,

Whilst it did pass, I did receive the following advisories .. and wanted to seek any insight or expert advice around urgency to get this work done and what the potential costs might be?

maybe someone has had this work done recently and could give some feedback?

• Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm
• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm
• Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm
• Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm
  

Thanks in advance - appreciate any support as always
Cheers
Jon

 

[spartacus 68]

Welcome to the joys of multi-link suspension.

The rubber bushes deteriorate over time, normal wear and tear. If it was serious enough it would have failed. That’s the good news. The bad news is there’s not a quick fix so will need done probably within the next year.

If you‘re doing suspension work, then the tracking will need to be done whatever you do, so with upper and lower arms, I’d be inclined to do it all. The lower arms are usually hydra bushes (filled with dampening liquid).

The upper arms are attached to the strut with a pinch bolt. This has achieved almost mythical notoriety for being a complete pain in the **** to remove. Reason, mixing alloy strut and steel bolts. Oxidisation occurs unless you live south of the equator!

Parts wise, if you’re getting rid of the car, stick on cheap arms. If it’s a keeper, which I’d like to think it is, them Lemforder or Meyle HD, (heavy duty). Audi parts are likely to be Lemforder anyway.

This is within the scope of experienced DIY, but that said suspension is usually a ball ache given corrosion. The upper arms and pinch bolt, you will need access to air hammer and heat. Laser make a specific tool for it or indeed Klann, but that’s getting into daft money. Use a new pinch bolt and smear of ceramic grease.

Lower arms, especially rear ones have restricted access.

Once everything fitted, nip up, then torque with vehicle weight on ground.

Check out Dave Sterl videos on YouTube for B8 If you’re considering it. Price up parts via Autodoc.

Out of interest, what’s the mileage?

 

[Jonfun]

Hi @spartacus 68

WOW .. thanks so much for the detailed response,

I can tell you however that I certainly wont be attempting this myself ..

I was just looking for an indication of a reasonable cost I could expect when approaching a garage to do the work - and how critical.

This could unfortunately indeed be a deciding factor as to whether I do keep the car any longer than 12 months or not.

Mileage is 62k .. so pretty low I'd say for a 16 plate .. she's a beaut!

 

[spartacus 68]

62k is quite low, remember it’s an advisory though. It could very well pass next year, but now it’s been identified, I would budget for the replacement arms.

Cost wise, if you opted for Lemforder for example and I’ve based on my own car) then rear lower arms are £160, front lower £120, upper arms around £50-60 each (there’s two), and that’s for one side. Labour, factor in 3-4 hours assuming everything comes off, plus tracking.