I had the oil changed on my 06 A4 1.8 T cabriolet and the mechanic hits me with his suggested repair list. Front upper suspension arm (both sides) needing to be replaced ($1,200) and one of the engine mounts has been compressed and needs to be replaced ($650). The car drives and handles great, no vibration in the wheel, no shudder in front end or steering wheel. (I do have some vibration in the rear that feels like a have a tire needing to be rebalanced) In the past when I have had tirod / suspension problems with other cars you get symptoms when somthing in the suspension or steering is going bad. Just had new set of tires put on three months ago along with alignment and no one mentioned any problem, which is usually when front end problems are found. Just paid the Euro repair shop $2,000 back in May when the TCM went out and I asked them at that time to check out the car and see what else needed to be fix, which they gladley accomadated for an additional $1,200 thus a total repair of $3,200. I would have thought the suspension arm would have come to light at that time as well.
So folks what are your thoughts? Is this a common issue with A4 or is the Euro repair shop just trying to get in some extra repair dollars. (do plan to get a second opinion in the next few weeks.
In regards to the engine mount are there signs / symptoms I can look for to see if this is an actual issue?

 

I would definetely get a second opinion on those repairs. Even if you get a second price because it does seem high.

 

OP, are you saying that the shop charged you $1200 for an inspection? Sheesh, did they pull the engine to do it?

While the control arms and engine mounts do commonly go bad, I think those prices are high. The mounts usually start to soften long before completely failing, and for an average driver, can exhibit no symptoms until it's really bad. Symptoms are usually in the way of extraordinary NVH and/or clunking, commonly when accelerating quickly. And, unless that was for a brand new TCM, which is $1K+ at the dealer, you got hosed on that job. It's not terribly difficult to replace, and used units are $50-$300.

 

I guess some dont know this, but here it is! Just so we can properly keep things in category =)

B5 - (1996-2001)
B6 - (2002-2006)

[Suspension]
I believe the control arms on the 2 platforms arent too different. You can jack the wheels up one at a time and shake it with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. Shake it hard. If you see any play then you'll need to replace them. Its likely your tie-rod ends. You will notice your car will tend to sway almost uncotrallably when driving in the highway and you'll hear clunking going over bumps. Try to have your windows down when going over bumpy roads and listen for any clunking sound. Also, if you have the car on jacks you can visually inspect the control arm ball joints for any rips.

You can also go in front of your car and push down in one front corner of the hood to rock the car up and down. If you hear any squeaking, your bushings on your control arms are going bad. Its best to replace all the control arms all at once, because they tend to follow one another when they fail.

[Engine]
Either i've been told or read from other car forums, you can rev your engine while on park and monitor how the car shakes. You can also pop open the hood and have someone rev it and monitor how much the engine moves. How much should it move? I think it really is all up to your own discretion. My car is 99, and in my opinion my engine mounts are ok. I do plan and having them changed in a year or 2.


Then get a second opinion.

hope that helps!

 

I didn't even notice which subforum it was in

Vgorous, B6 is actually 2002-2005.0; it switches to B7 for 2005.5.

 

just what I was going to say, also the 2006 cabriolet has the older 1.8T engine (in this case)

 

lol i stand corrected