[s-cars] Front end squeaks and creaks...

[Tom Green]

Richard,

I can only assume the "he" that you trust to change oil is 
knowledgeable of the suspension system.  If you don't  equate "dirty" 
with "hard", it is a reasonable diy job, and the outer bushings on the 
swaybar ends are 4x $6or $7.  But, don't start without a comprehensive 
check of the components.  The control arm has the ball joint swaged in 
as an integral part, so if it is worn, the entire control arm must be 
replaced.  If your car is showing her age running on the original 
suspension components, you probably need new control arms and bushings. 
  This is usually a time where new strut inserts (shocks),upper mounts 
and bearings, tie rod ends, steering dampener, etc are ready for 
replacement also.  This usually calls for new nut/bolt hardware to 
install the new parts.  See:
<www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/susp.html#bushing>
along with a Bentley repair manual to get you pointed toward regaining 
that original tight suspension and steering that make these cars a 
pleasure to drive.
The labor would be the biggest expense in the above.  Scotts site along 
with < www.urs4.com>, <www.s-cars.org>, and <www.elektro.com/~audi/> 
should enable you to decide what level of diy you want to attempt.  HTH

Tom '95 S6

On Aug 20, 2004, at  16:39, Richard Kurtzer <rskurtzer at gmail.com> wrote:

My S is starting to show her age in the front end with a few squeaks
and creaks.  I had an oil change recently and he said the front
control arm bushings are all torn up and in need of replacement.  How
hard is this job for the average DIYer?  I know someone here has BTDT.
  What's a reasonable sum to pay for this job to be done if DIY on it
sux?

Thanks,

-- 
Richard Kurtzer
Business Development Coordinator, ProCon Technologies
201-814-0405
rskurtzer at gmail.com