Audi A4: B5 front multi-link upper control arm ball joint and bush wear
B5 front multi-link upper control arm ball joint and bush wear is a very common suspension fault on the Audi A4 on the 1995–2001 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $700 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 45 documented faults on the Audi A4.
- Vehicle
- Audi A4
- Years
- 1995–2001
- System
- Suspension
What you are looking at
Example of the part — not this vehicleA separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.
What goes wrong
The B5 A4 uses a four link front suspension with two upper control arms on each side, and their integral ball joints and rubber bushes wear out quickly, often every 80,000 to 120,000 km. Worn B5 front multi-link upper control arms cause clunks over bumps, vague steering, wandering on the motorway and uneven inner tyre wear. The upper arms are normally replaced in pairs on both sides, and many owners do the full kit including the lower arms and tie rod ends.
What you would notice
- Clunk or knock from the front over speed bumps and driveways
- Creaking when turning the wheel at low speed
- Vague, wandering steering on the motorway
- Uneven wear on the inside edges of the front tyres
- Steering wheel not centred when driving straight
How to check it
Where to look. Behind each front wheel, the two upper control arms bolted to the top of the hub carrier and the lower arms below
On the test drive, go slowly over speed bumps and into a driveway with the window down and listen for clunks or knocks from the front. On a straight smooth road, check the car tracks straight and the steering does not feel vague or need constant correction. Turn the wheel lock to lock while stationary and listen for creaks. Run your hand across the front tyres for wear on the inside edges, and with a phone torch look behind the front wheels at the tops of the arms for split rubber boots or cracked bushes. Ask when the front control arms were last replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: raise the car and lever each upper and lower arm to check ball joint and bush play, then check the wheel alignment.
What it costs to put right
$700 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “When were the front control arms last replaced, and were all of them done?”
- “Has the wheel alignment been done recently?”
Now check the Audi A4 you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- FCP Euro: Important Information About Audi B5/B6/B7 Control Arm Kits
- Blauparts: Audi A4 Control Arms multilink system
- Coilover Depot: 98-08 Audi A4/S4/RS4 front upper multi link control arm kit listing
- AudiWorld A4 B5 forum: Typical B5 A4 Problems?
Audi A4 buyer questions
Is b5 front multi-link upper control arm ball joint and bush wear serious on a Audi A4?
We rate it major and very common on the Audi A4. The B5 A4 uses a four link front suspension with two upper control arms on each side, and their integral ball joints and rubber bushes wear out quickly, often every 80,000 to 120,000 km. Worn B5 front multi-link upper control arms cause clunks over bumps, vague steering, wandering on the motorway and uneven inner tyre wear. The upper arms are normally replaced in pairs on both sides, and many owners do the full kit including the lower arms and tie rod ends.
How much does it cost to fix on a Audi A4?
$700 to $2,200 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Audi A4 years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 1995–2001 Audi A4. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
On the test drive, go slowly over speed bumps and into a driveway with the window down and listen for clunks or knocks from the front. On a straight smooth road, check the car tracks straight and the steering does not feel vague or need constant correction. Turn the wheel lock to lock while stationary and listen for creaks. Run your hand across the front tyres for wear on the inside edges, and with a phone torch look behind the front wheels at the tops of the arms for split rubber boots or cracked bushes. Ask when the front control arms were last replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: raise the car and lever each upper and lower arm to check ball joint and bush play, then check the wheel alignment. Look here: Behind each front wheel, the two upper control arms bolted to the top of the hub carrier and the lower arms below