Hi guys

I have an Audi A4 2.0 TDI.

Last year I had to replace the lower control arm bushes. Now one of the upper ones have gone.

The bush alone from Audi is very expensive and Goldwagen does not keep them. Europarts does stock but is more expensive then Audi.

I have found that Interspares sells the aftermarket ones. Have any of you used these bushes from Interspares which is a third of the cost.

I am tempted to buy 2 and replace both on the side that is needing replacement.

I would appreciate your advice.

Thanks
Kavesh

Just buy the OE bushes. the aftermarket stuff don't last. the uppers are not THAT expensive...

They are R800 each and need 2 per side.
Just spent R21k for the 120 000 service.

kavesh02 wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2019 9:11 am They are R800 each and need 2 per side.
Just spent R21k for the 120 000 service.

Not to make light of your financial situation or anything, but that's pretty cheap bud... I'd go for it

What exactly was in that service that cost that much ? a new cylinder head?.

Actually it was the cambelt replacement and the automatic gearbox oil that was the bulk of the cost. The parts alone was about R10k for those 2 items. Gearbox oil was R4500, must include gold I think.
Labour was another big component as it was like almost 6 hours.
My choice was to renew the water pump as its right by the cambelt and should it fail then its another 6 hours labour for a R1000 part.
Oil and filters made up the balance.

I did the brakes on my own before it went in so saved a little on that.

Look I am not looking to replace the car anytime soon so hopefully I will have trouble free motoring for a long time to come.

My car maintenance budget is blown so looking for a cheaper option with the bushes.

You need to find a different workshop.
Cambelt replacement on that car including parts should be no more than around R7-8K including a water pump and new coolant.
You cab buy the correct gearbox oil from goldwagen in a 20L drum that will cost you around R2000.
labour to change that is about an hour.

Saving on the bushes is just going to come around and bite you in a year from now.

Ok, you probably know more about these vehicles than I do, so point taken. I live in Pietermaritzburg and I have failed to find a reputable ex Audi workshop mechanic and don't fee comfortable giving my car to a workshop that perhaps have not done many vehicles like mine.
We have lots of mechanics running their own workshop and most of them I would not trust.

With the bush, I am going to try the cheap one, doing the job myself as it seems easy enough, will just need to get the old bush pressed out and the new one pressed in. My friend will help with the pressing of the bush as he has the press.

Ok - if you DIY you have to be aware of 2 things.
1) the bush has a direction. So clearly see which way it is sitting before pushing it out and make sure you put it the same way back in. Some has a little arrow.
2) ONLY tighten the bolts through the bush with the car in it's resting position - ie with it's wheels on the ground or the weight taken up by the suspension. Failing to do that will have the new bush fail in short time because you are straining the area in which it is expected to work.
IE if you tighten it with the susoension dropped you are massively twisting the bush in it's position where the car sits normally.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

I do remember the lower bushes had a little pimple on one side so used that as the directional.

Will let you know how it goes.

Just a quick update. I have only just managed to get to the bushes and have replaced the right side uppers.

Was a fairly easy and quick job, not what I was expecting. Had a get a mate with a press to assist in pressing out the old and pressing in the new bushes.
The bushes did not have a direction to say it goes in a certain way, not even the original ones. Looked same both sides.

I bought the bushes from Interspares, a European brand, the name Teknorot. Hope it lasts.

I did put the car on its wheels before tightening up the bushes and the pinch bolt.

Thanks for your advice:-)

After driving the car for a couple of days I noticed that the sound / vibration that it was making prior to the bushes being replaced is still there.
I went back to Audi and asked them to have another look and now they tell me that it may be the lower control arm bushes. Seems like they guess as well!
Last year I had replaced lower control arm bushes or so they told me they were, actually it was the wishbone bushes. The lower control arm bushes are smaller and takes 2 on one side.
I went to Audi parts to get an idea of their costs and while chatting to the friendly parts salesman, he mentioned that there is a connecting link which is plastic and that tends to go due to it being plastic. He said that they have replaced several of these connecting links. He suggested I look there first.
Are you guys familiar with my model Audi and what have you come across as being most problematic that needed replacing.
Is there a way to be certain of what needs to be done, what test can be done. Would appreciate any advice.

I had the help of a mechanic friend who is helping me to diagnose the issue.
We put the car on the hoist and removed the plastic connecting link and it was still in good condition.
What we did find is that the lower control arm bush on the right hand side, the one appears to have a bit play when compared to the same on the left side using a large screwdriver to test for movement/play.
I am going to remove the arm later this week and hopefully confirm that is my problem before buying and will replace those bushes.
Am really upset at having to replace the upper arm bushes as they looked like new....

When Grandpas are no longer relieving your Audi headache, go see my mate Paul.

He's behind the Shell garage on Zwartkop road, opposite the Prestbury Police station.

He's a bit of an Audi fanboy and is very knowledgeable on them.

He's also owned a fair bunch of Audi's which is why I recommend him, he walks his talk.

Thanks for that lead, can you send me his number as well.

The problem I think at Audi is that there are too many young guys with little experience.

Grandpas would solve the issues in no time:-)

033 344 3331

missioner wrote: ↑Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:00 am 033 344 3331

Thank you kindly.