Control arm bush.......
 

Now the weather is warming up, I noticed when going over speed bumps there's a hint of a creak from the NSF suspension. Having had a look and moving all the gubbins with a pry bar the only thing that I could get to squeak was the big bush on the control arm. There was no movement present but obviously since it's the original one it is probably getting past it's best. I notice afore mentioned bush is available separately at a significantly lower price than the arm. What are the chances of the arm coming off from the ball joint end? Anyone done just a bush swap? Or do I just assume the arm is 17 years old and bite the bullet?

Ah, the delights of OCD A8 ownership. Any other car and you wouldn't even notice. :tuttut:

But now I have it's the only thing I can hear............

Your radio is too quite:ROFL:

^^^ +1

I haven't tryied a just a bush swap but i would imagine if one is on it's way then the rest or at least it's twin on the other sid isn't far away. Full set of bushes or arms. once you take it apart it'll need a track.

It'd be tracked when done, that goes without saying. Just trying to get an idea of if I just rearm or rebush. I am falling on the side of arm personally because chances are the ball joint will have the snot knocked off it on disassembly but the difference in price is enough to make me think twice!

If you can do the job yourself it might be worth it. But if you have to pay somebody for the job then it is probably false economy as ball joint might be failing soon as well on the arm. If it's just creaking without excessive movement I would be tempted to spray some PTFE lubricant in it to silence. If it's worn and need replacing then I would be looking at replacing complete set of arms especially if paying someone else to do it.

Bushes can be changed but you will need a press and arm needs to be heated to expand and release the bush.

If you need to pay £50 for the arm, £50 for the labour and £30-200 for wheel alignment (depending where you go and how much done) the only saving you can make is £35 if you get £15 bush instead of £50 arm which is not a lot if you consider risk of doing all again at full price 6 months later because the ball joint fails. In another country where parts prices are the same but labour costs much lower it could make more sense.

Well, thats a new arm ordered up. If the old one ruins it ball joint on disassembly I'm sorted, if not, buy a bush and keep it as a spare. Problem solved! Just need to wait for it to arrive and then find the time to get it attached! I will not tolerate a squeak. Not even a little one!

Out vile squeak demon! Both lower control arms replaced and since I was down there anti roll bar bushes too (only couple of years old but for 4 quid a side and it was gonna be in bits anyhooo seemed like a good idea) and I can now approach traffic calming in confidence! Interestingly none of the bushes on the arms were what I would consider end of life, no splits between inner/rubber/outer and no movement other than what should be present but on flexing the bushes of the removed arm with a hefty screw driver they squeak. I can honestly say they would have passed the mot test (and with the lack of movement without any advisory) despite the irritating and increasingly noise squeak. Surprised how easily it all came to bits too, well built these old 8's!