Thread: D4 UPPER CONTROL ARMS

Hi all. Searched everywhere and can't seem to find anyone who has done the upper control arm bushes.

My 2011 D4 has 170K and had the usual front suspension noise. I took it to Pedders Darwin for a Suspension Check ($29), and stupid me, when they asked if I had any concerns I mentioned I think the lower control arm bushes were faulty.

On return, that is exactly what they told me. Lower Arm Bushes. Anyways, I bought the bushes as I have a mate who could do them for me, and when we went to do the lower arms, there was nothing wrong with them, but signs of metal on metal at the upper arms. Test drive and visuals confirmed it was indeed the upper arms. So now I have upper and lower bushes, and struggling to find anyone here in Darwin that:

1. Knows what they are doing.
2. Is happy to take on the job.
3. Doesn't charge like a wounded bull.

The only place I have found that is happy to 'give it a crack' has never done the upper control arms before and has concerns that they are almost impossible (or at the least very difficult) to get off and on again. Quoted me 2 days labour for upper and lower (may as well do them both now).

Does anyone have an experience with this?

I'm mechanically minded and have rebuilt an old car before, so is this something I can remove in a half a day at home, take the bushes and arms to be pressed, then reinstall? SWMBO is going ballistic because she can't see the justification in spending money on a car she never wanted me to buy (I know, I know - but she does drive a Touareg).

Leigh at the Nightcliff Service Centre has done my lower control arm bushes (D3), steering rack and timing belts etc. and has done similar work on other D3's.

Try giving him a call although he is often booked out a week in advance.