Control arm question

[micdee]

I have a some sort of strange question.
Lemme first give you a sitrep.

The bushings of my upper control arms are (kind of) gone.
So i ordered a complete control arm kit from 034 (USA) and had the uppers replaced for the adjustables they offer.
So I should have a complete kit for all of my control arms (upper and lower)
Now I was going to replace the lower rear control arm and found that the control arm on the car has a cilindrical shape which goes into the upright where the one I got from 034 is conical shaped.
I refitted the old one, because das phantom will go to the shop for thermostat repair.
I told 034 about the difference, now they say that the cilindrical shape is because of a sort of bushing which I should be able to refit on the new arm.

I do not have time to check this, but I do not find this logical to have an extra (loose) piece of metal between the arm joint and the upright, but does any one of you have changed the lower rear control arm and can tell me out of experience if there is a extra sort of metal bushing that goes over the conical joint and into the upright.

[JSRS6]

That is correct. The bushing will normally come off with the old lowers. Not a problem when it's the rears, but when it's the fronts, they won't come out if the bushing is still on it.
You can use on of these and a press to remove the bushings.
http://img01.static-nextag.com/image/Pittsburgh-Pictures-Large-Bearing/0/000/006/532/583/653258349.jpg

[micdee]

thx.
I guess I'll ask the audi specialist to also do the arms while it is in for the thermostat repair.

[JSRS6]

Thermostat? Just the thermostat?

[micdee]

Well all signs point to the thermostat .....
but like I told someone else.. to replace the thermostat a 31 euro, which seems broken, I need another 750 euro of hardware and about 750 euro more for labour to have it replaced.

Does this answer your question?