Passat 3B: Broken Control Arms - Repair Guide

Hello,
I have a 1998 Passat (AFN rules!!! ) with worn ball joints, 'on the right front, both top and bottom' .
'Since the outer edge of the front right tire is more worn, my question is: can worn control arms affect the alignment? Of course, I know I should replace them... Does anyone have a good tip on where I can get them at the most affordable price? VAG wants to charge me 900 EUR (!!!) for three control arms including installation...'
Does the support bracket really need to be removed, or is there another way to do it?
'I definitely got it covered under warranty when it was at 148,000 km, but unfortunately, it's no longer covered now that it's at 168,000 km.'
Best regards,
alchard

Well, I'm not aware of any 'trick' to it. I've also dealt with this topic many times!

Since the support bracket needs to be removed, this results in long working times, including the necessary wheel alignment.

If I were you, I would have it done by an independent workshop. The labor costs are only half as much there. You can also find high-quality control arms for significantly cheaper on the open market compared to what VW charges.

However, only VW can perform the wheel alignment correctly (due to the complex suspension system).

Hello and thank you for the information...
I replaced the control arms myself in my garage... I drilled a 10cm long screw by hand... it took 3 hours ... but I did it! Including removing the stabilizer bar. The alignment doesn't need to be adjusted, as long as the screws on the tie rod ends are not touched.
The catch was : 4 days later, the CV joint boot failed. So, I had to loosen the control arms again. ... but I had applied copper grease to everything, so there were no problems removing the driveshaft. It took about half an hour, this time using a lift. ...
Best regards,
alchard