[A4] More control arm stuff

[Joel Landsverk]

I'm really not out to start anything, but I don't agree that complexity
implies or has anything to do with longevity. When I talked to the
principal at ECS he informed me that the control arms with the ball
joints cast in that Audi was using, were just of poor quality. 
Eventually, they got better and better.   Huh?  Owners of Audis should
not be set up as guinea pigs to test the lifespan of suspension parts. 
I hear they are much better now.  Why the delay?  Why should my 5 year
old Audi with less than 100k miles on it be ready for its 3rd set of
ball joints?

This isn't directed at Brian, or anybody, but Audi.  I think it's
ridiculous and I've told them that.  I doubt they care.

You are right about the old cars - my '91 90q 20v never needed a ball
joint until about 3 months ago.  It had 213k miles on it.  control arm
bushings? Yes.  Ball joints - no.

Guess you caught me on a bad day.

Joel

>>> "Brian White" <brian at bjwhite.net> 6/29/2004 1:14:06 PM >>>
Without placing judgement on the whole premature argument...look under
the 
front of your average Toyota, and look under the front of your Audi.

Notice that pre-A4 people don't talk about ball joint failures all the
time.  
This is a result of the somewhat advanced front control arm assembly
that 
Audi has used these last few years.  It's part of what makes them drive
so 
well.  Unfortunately, yes the longevity of the large number of ball
joints in 
the front suspension has been an issue.

BTW...I've heard that in 2002 or so, Audi substantially increased the 
longevity of the parts and that these new, updated parts are what Audi
sells 
these days.  The ECS $500 combo kit should be all updated Audi parts
and 
should last longer than anyone's first set.

BTW...I'm getting a mild clunk feeling (not sound yet, just feeling in
the 
steering wheel) in my 2000 A4 1.8T Avant.  80k miles.  I consider that

unfortunate, but surely not exactly premature considering how advanced
the 
suspension design is and other people's experiences.

These aren't standard lower control arm/McPherson strut suspensions
found on 
your old Volkswagen Scirocco.  They're a little more complex.