To those who changed the front suspension. Control arm removal.

[Mister W]

I'm about to start the installation of my Koni/eibach combo.
In some DIY they remove that bolt that use to break often (got two at dealer in case)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/fly300kts/CV%20Joint/P04.jpg

On some other DIY, they remove the one at the back each side
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/darrbar/Car%20stuff/CIMG1354.jpg

Is there a reason to choose one over the other? The rear ones seem to be less a pita?
thank you

[fly300kts]

Lower bolt strut
Steering link
Horizontal upper control arm bolt
3 upper bolt in engine bay
Done

Well almost. Give me 5 to edit your first picture

Phil

[CorneliusRox]

I did it the way shown in the second picture. Lots of people have issues with removing the upper control arms from the knuckle, and even after removing the pinch bolt, they have to use a flat head to pry the gap for the pinch bolt wider to get the arms out.

It was pretty easy to remove the arms on the upper side.

And a note, the first time you take that top bracket out, it has the standard three bolts, but there is that manufacturing clip. Just pry the whole thing down until that clip breaks! You dont need it

[Solarsuplex]

Might want to spray that PITA bolt you posted in the first picture with a bunch of pb blaster and let it sit for a bit before you try and take it out.

Its good you have new ones. But remember, if it breaks... You still have to get it out. And dont overtighten it when putting it back in, i cracked my knuckle that way[headbang]

[Mister W]

I did it the way shown in the second picture. Lots of people have issues with removing the upper control arms from the knuckle, and even after removing the pinch bolt, they have to use a flat head to pry the gap for the pinch bolt wider to get the arms out.

It was pretty easy to remove the arms on the upper side.

And a note, the first time you take that top bracket out, it has the standard three bolts, but there is that manufacturing clip. Just pry the whole thing down until that clip breaks! You dont need it

Thank you, i think you're the only one that understood my question :)

[rongeur]

The problem with the second picture, as I found out first hand, was that it was very difficult to reinstall those back bolts and impossible for me to torque them with the suspension loaded. I found it easier to remove the front pinch bolt, then again I am a Cali car that has no salt/adverse weather corrosion.

[Axis]

Pinch bolts.... Buy some at the dealer along with nuts before starting to work on the car.

Easiest way IMO (http://www.passatworld.com/forums/61-b5-information-base/233225-pinch-bolt-removal-made-easy-pics.html)

[A-BlacK_MambA-4]

F that F'ing pinch bolt [headbang] I found it easier to completely remove the control arms at the strut housing. Real handy if you have 2 ratcheting 5/8 wrenches.

[Mister W]

F*uck!
I went with removing the control arms at the top. Wasnt to bad.
But i have another problem. The shock top nut doesnt fit the koni rod. It's not the same thread. :banghead:

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Mister W]

Well. I went through. It took me 8 hours with having to borrow a car to get the shock nut from a garage. I did it by removing the upper control arm bolts instead of the pinch bolt. Really easy. In the diy it say to remove the camber bolt in the rear. Well, that go wrong. I killed the bushing, the bolt is stuck dead in it. So now that wheel.has negative camber ( or positive, the one that should not be). I waste a lot of.time at the rear. Lowering the sub frame.was not enough. When I removed the sub frame bolts completely , it was so much easy. I don't have s-line, so springs were tall. Anyway, here is the final product. Koni yellow with Avant Eibach springs. I know, she is dirty. :rolleyes:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/14/egamu8ug.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/14/ehusura2.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/14/uhunu6at.jpg

Sent from somewhere using smoke signals.

[wildcat333]

Looks so much better lowered!

[Mister W]

Looks so much better lowered!

Thanx, it sure does. Two years i had that suspension in my garage. One of the first day it doesn't rain here, so i had to make it happen.
Next step, tint in a week, after that i'll take a brake of mod, and enjoy my A4. Plus, i wont have any time left with a third baby coming in september.
And FYI, i didn,t bought a caravan. [rolleyes] , iwas looking for a Q7, but too expensive, i went with a 2008 Volvo XC90.
thanx to those who helped me for those mods, and those who put some DIY. [up]

[Solarsuplex]

I feel bad. Where is the low in this thread.

[Mister W]

I feel bad. Where is the low in this thread.
That's low enough for me. I had coilover on my jetta, to much problems. I agree it could be a tad lower, they might set up in the next week, but dont forget i live in Quebec, and we dont know how to make roads.
http://tvanouvelles.ca/archives/lcn/montopo/photo/media/2011/03/20110321-170318-g.jpg
http://images.lpcdn.ca/435x290/200903/05/53163-an-passe-pres-2600-nids.jpg
http://tvanouvelles.ca/archives/lcn/infos/regional/media/2010/03/20100304-090847-g.jpg
You see the the point :)

[vwgtivr6]

i live in Quebec, and we dont know how to make roads.
http://tvanouvelles.ca/archives/lcn/montopo/photo/media/2011/03/20110321-170318-g.jpg
http://images.lpcdn.ca/435x290/200903/05/53163-an-passe-pres-2600-nids.jpg
http://tvanouvelles.ca/archives/lcn/infos/regional/media/2010/03/20100304-090847-g.jpg
You see the the point :)

Holy crap those are bad roads!

[Solarsuplex]

and i take back my statement. at least you have the same amount of wheel gap as that bus.

[schmiesus]

I'm about to start the installation of my Koni/eibach combo.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/darrbar/Car%20stuff/CIMG1354.jpg




Why do all the American insist on using imperial wrenches on these cars