Control Arm FAQ

[Serratt]

Control Arm FAQ

What is a control arm?
The control arms are a part of the Passat's (B5 platform) four link suspension system. Control arms connect on the outboard side to the wheel bearing housing with an irreplacable joint similar to a tie-rod end. Control arms connect on the inboard side to either a common subframe (lower front & rear) or "suspension carrier" (upper front & rear) on each strut.

Who is affected by faulty control arms?
Passat model years 1998 (incl. 1997 model years in Europe) through mid 2001 have had some reports of control arm problems. The 2001.5 through the current model year Passat is reported to have a redesigned front suspension which does not fail as often; only time will tell. Admittedly, there are not many 2000 and 2001 Passat owners who have complained thus far. The reason is likely due relatively lower mileage.

What are the symptoms of failing control arms?
The control arm sounds like a groaning or creaking when driving straight ahead over uneven surfaces at low speeds. Some owners have even been able to reproduce the sound by pressing down on the front corners of the car. Others have complained that the vehicle begins to "wander" on the freeway at high speed.

Slimm says:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I've had three out of four of my upper control arms (UCA) failed. They all failed at the ball joint. FWIW, here's my way of checking the UCA. If the wheels shakes (or if there's play in the wheels) when you grab the sides of the wheel and try to move it side to side, that means the front arm has failed at the ball joints. If the joint is pretty bad, you'll hear the clunk when you try to move the wheels with you hands or when you're driving.

This experiment would not tell you if the rear arm is failing, though. To see if the rear has failed, you need to take the wheel off. Grab the front arm and try to shake it hard. If the rear arm's joint has failed, you'll see movement where the ball joints meet. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ECS Tuning- Tom has the following suggestions for checking the control arms:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>When checking wear on upper arms it is sometimes easier to check them with two people while the wheel/tire are on.
-Unload the front suspension with a jack
-Grab the front and the rear part of the tire so your hands are horizonal with each other
-See if there is play in the system, do not move the tire to the point of moving the rack, just enough to see whether there is ANY play in the upper control arm ball joints.
-It is best if one person moves the wheel while the other closely inspects the upper ball joints
-There should not be any movement at all.
-You can also check play in the inner and outer tie rods ends this way<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


What happens when you take your failing control arms to the dealer?
Many members have found that their dealer and VWoA will split the difference for the replacement of the control arms, but most have had to pay for the repair outright unless the vehicles are covered under warranty. Other members have been assertive enough to convince VWoA to cover the entire repair . Make sure to speak with your Regional VWoA Representative before agreeing to the dealer's decisions. If you can get the Regional Rep. to sign off on covering the repair, then the dealer will concede.

MeinPassat recommends:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>If you are getting your Control Arms replaced, VW issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) -TSB number 40-01-01. It states that a kit-number 3B0-498-798A must be used. VW states that both lower front links, left and right, need to be replaced as a set.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The click and clack legitimacy test:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>CLICK and CLACK TALK CARS
For Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Bad Design Is Good For The Repair Shop
BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Tom and Ray: I have a 1998 Audi A4 with 30,500 miles. I was recently told that the left front control arm has to be replaced and that the right front control arm will soon need replacing. I was told by the dealer?s service representative that this is normal wear and tear for a car after four years. I have a hard time buying that. What do you think? Tina
RAY: Well, he would have been telling the truth if he had said it?s normal wear and tear for this car.
TOM: On most cars, it would be outrageous to have to replace the control arms after only 30,000 miles. Many last for the life of the car. But the control arms on this car are different.
RAY: On this car, the control arm and the ball joint (a crucial piece that holds the wheel on) come as one piece. So when the ball joint wears out, you have no choice but to replace the entire control-arm assembly. And, unfortunately, the ball joints on this car were seriously underdesigned (meaning they?re cheap junk).
TOM: We?ve been told that for the 2000 model year, Audi upgraded the design in hopes that the ball joint would last for more than 30,000 miles. But, unfortunately, that redesigned control arm won?t fit on your ?98. So essentially, you?re stuck replacing these things, to the tune of 400 bucks each, plus labor, every 30,000 miles.
RAY: You have no choice but to replace them now. But you might want to give serious consideration to trading in this A4 at about 59,000 miles.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can I replace the control arms myself?
Dealers will usually recommend that the entire control arm assembly be replaced.
A few members have replaced the control arms on their vehicles. Matt Miller has found that replacing the lower/upper control arm bushings was enough to fix the problem.
HermanH also has an excellent site with instructions. Remember, if the ball joint is worn, then the entire control arm must be replaced!

ECSTuning has also posted to some threads (1 &
2) regarding their parts list.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
The arms come with new related hardware (nuts. bolts ect.)
Prices are good for either side.
Lower curved $114.95
Lower straight $114.95

Upper straight $89.95
Upper curved $94.95

Sway bar links $49.95 each (with hardware)

Tie rod ends $59.95 each
Tie rod assemblys $89.95 each

Tom
http://www.ecstuning.com
800/924-5172<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Will VWoA issue a Recall and proactively replace all of the control arms?
So far VWoA has not issued a recall. They are handling the Control Arm issue on a case-by-case basis. MeinPassat and his wife have suggested posting the complaint at a class action lawsuit clearing house:
http://www.bigclassaction.com/submit_form.html. Unfortunately, it will be the Passat owners' responsibility to hire a law firm and an independent testing agency to file the suit and determine the safety issues with the control arms. Only then will a class action take place.

MeinPassat sent a letter to VWAG about their failure to properly handle the issue. VWAG replied that the manufacturer takes all problems and complaints<![CDATA