[A4] A4 Control Arm Kits

[Peter Kirby]

I've had very good (~100,000 km) use out of Lemforder top links.  They 
have lasted as long as the originals.  They remain tight (famous last 
words...).

They are enough of a pain to replace that I wouldn't go cheap.

Peter
2001 1.8 tq A4

gordies garage wrote:
> Good info Sean.  The tech I have do my heavy work says the Meyle are good, 
> but he's had some problems with others, including Febi.  Basically a 3 to 6 
> mo life span.  Says he's found a source for mfg in Turkey that seem to be 
> good.  Not sure  the brand, but he may have said Meyle.  He also said that 
> most he's seen are made in China these days.  I just returned 2 new brake 
> fluid resorviors cuz they leaked!  Aftermarket made in China.  Got one at 
> the dealer for not much more...made in Germany.
> I don't know where you live, but the roads in Michigan tend to wear out 
> control arms quickly.  I've had 3 sets on my '98 A41.8TQM at 142k mi and 
> will need another set after this winter.  I've been running Dunlop 
> Wintersports on stock 16" wheels (2.8) and it is great fun in the snow!
> Gordie
> 
> 
>> '99 A4 B5 AEB 1.8tqa had a fairly tight front end at 230k, but by 265k
>> it was dangerously sloppy/ noisy and no fun to drive.  Spent a month
>> researching 12-piece control arm kits online and talking to Audi
>> people.  Kits range from about $210 delivered for "Replacement" brand
>> kit made in Taiwan to about $510 for the Meyle kit.  There are other
>> Chinese/ Taiwanese made kits and other European/ German made kits in
>> between.  Found mixed reviews on Deutsche Parts kit, with pricing
>> closer to Chinese kits.  Found better reviews on Febi, similar in
>> price to Meyle.  I got the Meyle kit and learned it was made in
>> Austria.  Most smaller or reputable online shops will match or
>> slightly beat another online ad.  10-piece kits don't include the
>> c-shaped roll/sway bar links and tend to be $100 cheaper.  Both 10-
>> and 12-piece kits include outer tie rod ends, but neither includes the
>> inner TREs which run about $50 each at high end.  Kits vary w/ respect
>> to how much installation hardware is included.  Most shops quote about
>> 8 hours w/ front end alignment.
>> With just 200 miles driven since install, it's like new and wicked fun
>> to drive again; steering wheel is again a finely tuned dial.  This is
>> with new snows on steel wheels- can't wait to try the 15" (7.5" wide)
>> BBS basket weave wheels off a 1991 200 20v wrapped in whatever 215/60
>> rubber I try this spring.
>> Sean
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