control arm questions
#1
11-20-2008, 10:55 PM
control arm questions
I have read in a few places that you can drill and tap grease fittings into the control arms.. it doesn't sound too hard, and i was just working with my control arms last week when i was replacing the suspension, so i'm familiar with the parts.. i'd like to do this since i am not going to be able to replace my control arms until probably next summer.
but i have never done anything like this, and have a few questions.
where do i drill to make sure it is going to reach the cavity inside the joint?
what kind of grease should be used?
will this lengthen time the joints last at all?
will it help quiet the clunking at all?
i'm willing to do a diy with pictures if i can figure out how to do it
also regarding the rear suspension.. i didn't notice any horribly bad joints in the rear, and i don't get any clunks from back there, but i do get plenty of squeeking from the lower bushings..
what can i lube with back there that is not going to destroy the rubber in the bushings?
would wd-40 cut it or is there something out there that would work better? i was wondering about a white lithium type grease or something, if i could get some thin enough to work into the bushing
any ideas out there??
but i have never done anything like this, and have a few questions.
where do i drill to make sure it is going to reach the cavity inside the joint?
what kind of grease should be used?
will this lengthen time the joints last at all?
will it help quiet the clunking at all?
i'm willing to do a diy with pictures if i can figure out how to do it
also regarding the rear suspension.. i didn't notice any horribly bad joints in the rear, and i don't get any clunks from back there, but i do get plenty of squeeking from the lower bushings..
what can i lube with back there that is not going to destroy the rubber in the bushings?
would wd-40 cut it or is there something out there that would work better? i was wondering about a white lithium type grease or something, if i could get some thin enough to work into the bushing
any ideas out there??
Last edited by paul3141; 11-20-2008 at 10:57 PM.
#2
11-20-2008, 11:01 PM
BTW here is one of the posts that i read recently mentioning greasing the ball joints, thought i would add it to the thread...
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...ght=suspension
About Your Control Arms by brrman
Control arms make up the linkage suspension system on your Audi (4 arms per corner).
2 types of Control arm wear...
BUSHINGS
The bushings in the control arms are made of Urethane. This is softer than polyurethane, and therefore is quieter and smoother than your average control arm manufactured. But it dries out quicker, and because of this the bushing starts to squeak and needs to be replaced sooner. If you turn your steering wheel, or go over a bump and hear a noise like 2 balloons rubbing together, this is likely your problem.
BALL JOINTS
If a linkage does not connect via bushing, it will connnect with a ball joint system. Over time the cup of the joint will stretch and enlarge, allowing the ball to slop around. When you drive over a bump and hear a clunk, this is the slop that you hear.
The ball joint problem is more a safety issue than the bushing problem. If the ball cup splits, the joint can come apart - that is not good. The bushing squeak simply will get louder and is annoying, but the urethane of the bushing itself will last quite a while like this.
Replacement or Fix
You cannot replace just the bushing (in most cases). Audi determined that the labor costs of removing the bushing from the arm and replacing it is higher than the material cost to simply replace the full arm - so they do not sell the bushing separate. An arm with a bad ball joint cannot be repaired and you must replace the entire arm.
Sometimes a bushing can be quieted by injecting grease inside the rubber seal grommet that covers the bushing (upper arms). The lower arms have no grommets - so sometimes a good spray of WD40 will quiet them.
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...ght=suspension
About Your Control Arms by brrman
Control arms make up the linkage suspension system on your Audi (4 arms per corner).
2 types of Control arm wear...
BUSHINGS
The bushings in the control arms are made of Urethane. This is softer than polyurethane, and therefore is quieter and smoother than your average control arm manufactured. But it dries out quicker, and because of this the bushing starts to squeak and needs to be replaced sooner. If you turn your steering wheel, or go over a bump and hear a noise like 2 balloons rubbing together, this is likely your problem.
BALL JOINTS
If a linkage does not connect via bushing, it will connnect with a ball joint system. Over time the cup of the joint will stretch and enlarge, allowing the ball to slop around. When you drive over a bump and hear a clunk, this is the slop that you hear.
The ball joint problem is more a safety issue than the bushing problem. If the ball cup splits, the joint can come apart - that is not good. The bushing squeak simply will get louder and is annoying, but the urethane of the bushing itself will last quite a while like this.
Replacement or Fix
You cannot replace just the bushing (in most cases). Audi determined that the labor costs of removing the bushing from the arm and replacing it is higher than the material cost to simply replace the full arm - so they do not sell the bushing separate. An arm with a bad ball joint cannot be repaired and you must replace the entire arm.
Sometimes a bushing can be quieted by injecting grease inside the rubber seal grommet that covers the bushing (upper arms). The lower arms have no grommets - so sometimes a good spray of WD40 will quiet them.
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