replacing control arms DIY
#12
received the parts prolly a few weeks ago but i just got back from a surprise vacation to hawaii so i just started working on this project last night.
RAN INTO SOME PROBLEMS:::
The upper pinch bolt is being a bitch to get out and wont even budge. my car has seen 6 years of the colorado high country so im assuming all that salt and **** isnt helping much. Does anyone have any ideas for how to remove this...
also is that pinch bolt threaded in there or can you just punch it out.
Thanks
RAN INTO SOME PROBLEMS:::
The upper pinch bolt is being a bitch to get out and wont even budge. my car has seen 6 years of the colorado high country so im assuming all that salt and **** isnt helping much. Does anyone have any ideas for how to remove this...
also is that pinch bolt threaded in there or can you just punch it out.
Thanks
#13
The easiest way I tackled the problem was to disconnect the lower control arms, upper control arms, and then unbolt the top of the shock mount. You'll have to separate the axle from the wheel hub and then pull the whole damn thing out. Whether you have a workshop or just the garage floor, it'll be a lot easier to work on the pinch bolt.
The bolt is not threaded in there which surprised the hell out of me (I wondered when Audi was going to give me a break). I used a chisel to spread the 2 points where the pinch bolt resides to open it up a bit, then I cut the bolt at both locations. I pulled the pieces out and the drilled the center piece out. Took a little bit of time but I figured at the time it was the easiest course of action.
The bolt is not threaded in there which surprised the hell out of me (I wondered when Audi was going to give me a break). I used a chisel to spread the 2 points where the pinch bolt resides to open it up a bit, then I cut the bolt at both locations. I pulled the pieces out and the drilled the center piece out. Took a little bit of time but I figured at the time it was the easiest course of action.
#15
yea i did this but im hearing a noise every time i start or come to a complete stop havent figured out what it is, it would mean the lower control arms/bushings but also could mean the tie rod ends. I got em all for 380 for both passenger and driver so i dont know letm ek now how it goes!
#17
I did this job last week, Gave up half way through. I had the same problem with the pinch bolt, and I had already loosened up the axle bolt prior to the job. I just unbolted everything and brought the spindle down to a shop and had them heat it up and impact the bolt out. Took them a couple minutes to do. It was just myself and I got in over my head with doing everything from the axle's out(new shocks and sport springs, new rotors and pads, and a FEBI kit).
I got the one side all together and took it to the shop to have them finish it for me. Hope you have a little bit more backbone that I did
I got the one side all together and took it to the shop to have them finish it for me. Hope you have a little bit more backbone that I did
#18
akielb i had the same problem. both my pinch bolts were being little bitches, so i did the same thing and removed the whole assembly and took it to my euro shop. Definitely i job i dont want to ever have to deal with again. car is in great condition now tho and its good to see it back on the road again.
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rawdney88
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06-30-2011 01:31 PM