Audi Control Arms - Expert Advice Required Please

[Gatallica]

Hi Guys, here’s a question for you professional mechanics out there...

I’ve just got my Audi A4 B8 8k5 back from an Audi specialist, having had all of the control arms and bushes replaced at 100k. I mean all, that’s 2 top, 2 bottom, lower ball joint, drop-links and anti-roll bars bushes on each side, to the tune of £1500.

Whilst it drives great and has made a BIG improvement to the front end, the ride height is sitting too high; I’d say about 4-5cm too high and not only is this is visually noticeable, it is also affecting the headlight beam height too, so not good for my sporty black Audi.

When I collected the car, the manager did mention the ride height and that he was a little concerned , but said it should settle after a few miles, adding if it doesn’t to bring it back.

Well, I’ve driven around 20 miles on the twisty’s and there is no improvement.

Is this normal? I can’t see any reason for the height increase and the only explanation I can think of it that the arms are too long? I know I can take it back, but I just want to be armed and ready if they try to fob me off.

Thoughts please, TIA.

BTW it’s standard suspension, not adaptable.

[xjay1337]

Sounds like the arms were tightened up while up in the air.
I believe they should be done when under load (IE car on the ground / wheels on ramp etc

Not an Audi but same principal.

https://youtu.be/WdVdR1XERyM?t=763.

[Dave.]

OEM replacements or Polyurethane?

As above, they should be nipped up under load.

If you went for polyurethane, which ones did you go for?

Eta - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6OEohnPKw - worth a watch if you're thinking of polyurethane bushings, also another example of why you should nip them up under load.

Edited by Dave. on Wednesday 5th February 21:07

[GreenV8S]

Gatallica said:

he was a little concerned , but said it should settle after a few miles, adding if it doesn’t to bring it back.

Well, I’ve driven around 20 miles on the twisty’s and there is no improvement.

Thoughts please, TIA.

You've answered your own question.

[Gatallica]

Thanks guys, you may be right. I raised the issue (having viewed videos beforehand) on whether the bolts had been torqued at ride height and he said no and that ‘no one really does that’ due to no one having four Poster ramps anymore!
I kind of thought it made sense as I can’t see why torquing at ride height would affect what effectively are moving bearings?

I’m a bit shocked to be honest as these guys are supposedly professional and work mainly on RS models and Super-sports cars.

Thinking I’ve been mugged off...

I’ll be going back tomorrow.

[Gatallica]

PS they are OE replacements not poly

[brman]

Gatallica said:

Thanks guys, you may be right. I raised the issue (having viewed videos beforehand) on whether the bolts had been torqued at ride height and he said no and that ‘no one really does that’ due to no one having four Poster ramps anymore!
I kind of thought it made sense as I can’t see why torquing at ride height would affect what effectively are moving bearings?

I’m a bit shocked to be honest as these guys are supposedly professional and work mainly on RS models and Super-sports cars.

Thinking I’ve been mugged off...

I’ll be going back tomorrow.

That is the point, they are not moving bearings! Unless your audi is different to most cars they will be rubber bushes that flex rather than rotate. Doing them up when the car is in the air will pre-stress the bushes causing ride height issues and prematurely wear out the bushes.

Like I say, your audi could be different but I doubt it.

[brman]

Just in case you are unclear on the bushing, have a look at the picture on this ad:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-AUDI-A4-B8-2-0-TDI-...
every arm inner bearing is in fact a rubber bush. Like this....
https://p.globalsources.com/IMAGES/PDT/B1060046943...

The outer is push fit in the arm (so moves with the arm) and the inner is clamped to the chassis by a bolt so cannot move. The only movement is the rubber flexing.

I am gobsmacked he tried to fob you off with "no-one does that anymore". Maybe he is hoping that either he did not do up the bolts properly (in which case the bush will rotate with use) or the rubber fails as they are the only ways I can think of that the ride height would settle down with use.

[Gatallica]

Wow, I too am gobsmacked that so called ‘qualified & experienced’ specialist mechanics would not know this basic requirement. These are common consumables for a car and this should be ‘apprentice’ stuff.

I shall be dropping the car back first thing and hopefully they haven’t been damaged already. Bloody annoyed and almost tempted to name and shame the garage!

Thanks to all of you guys, I really appreciate your knowledge and input.

[stevieturbo]

Were the springs changed ?

Whilst yes bushes etc should be tightened with the wheel under load...I really doubt that would be the cause of it sitting so much higher, although it could lead to premature failure of said bushes.

[xjay1337]

stevieturbo said:

Were the springs changed ?

Whilst yes bushes etc should be tightened with the wheel under load...I really doubt that would be the cause of it sitting so much higher, although it could lead to premature failure of said bushes.

It can and does happen on many cars with this suspension footage. Check the linked video. Check audi forums and Mercedes forums.

[Gatallica]

Thanks. If you mean the poly Bush video, whilst interesting, its irrelevant to my OE arms as poly bushes move as a bearing and have no bonded rubber and therefore would not require torquing under load.

I completely get now why you torque at ride height with a bonded rubber brush as there should be zero load or 'twist' on the rubber without load. At the moment, mine in effectively sitting without load, yet the rubbers will be twisted in the arms, im guessing anything between 20 and 45 degrees which is not good. The arms are the Meyle HD re-engineered versions so they are a bit tougher, hence the ride height being higher due them not being set correctly in the chassis housing.

Thanks again for your comments and I shall let you know of the outcome post taking the car back this morning.

[GreenV8S]

Gatallica said:

poly bushes move as a bearing and have no bonded rubber and therefore would not require torquing under load.

Some do, some don't. Are you saying you know the ones you have fitted have an internal bearing? If not, they need to be torqued under load.

[brman]

GreenV8S said:

Gatallica said:

poly bushes move as a bearing and have no bonded rubber and therefore would not require torquing under load.

Some do, some don't. Are you saying you know the ones you have fitted have an internal bearing? If not, they need to be torqued under load.

No, I think you quoted the wrong bit.....

Gatallica said:

Thanks. If you mean the poly Bush video, whilst interesting, its irrelevant to my OE arms

He has OEM style arms which, if you look at the link I previously posted, look like standard bonded rubber bushes.

We just need confirmation that the "audi specialist" doesn't have evidence to the contrary and has in fact just messed up.....

There is only one other conclusion I can think of. ie the springs were changed at the same time and are now the wrong length. (or the orginals were the wrong length, ie it has been lowered)
I am not sure the OP has confirmed that?

[GreenV8S]

brman said:

No, I think you quoted the wrong bit....

On re-reading, you are correct and I agree with Gatallica's post.

[Gatallica]

I took the car back and explained my concerns. The mechanic still maintained that it made no difference whether they were torqued at right height or not and the conversation got a little heated.

Long story short, he agreed to re-torque at ride height and adjust my alignment, which was slightly out too.

The car is back and the suspension is where it was so I'm saying that's a win for torqing at ride height!

To clarify some questions above, the arms were OE standard Meyle HD arms, and no the springs were not changed.

Thank you again for your assistance.

[Olas]

The ‘specialist’ can’t follow basic procedures and you have been mugged off.

This is yet another reason to do it yourself and know that it’s right. Unless you wait on site and watch them like a hawk from start to finish then they will cut corners. Most wont notice.

Go back and insist they put it right, then buy turning gear and a subscription to autodata.
Not paying £100/hr&vat will pay for everything you buy in less than the time it takes you to complete the repair you mentioned in your OP.