HELP! DP Removal, Specific Questions

[tgiblin]

Thank you, I have searched and searched with no luck.
Questions:
Do I need to remove the Heat Shields from the car?
If I ruin a heat shield do I have to get a new one or can I run the car without it?
What is this 17mm wrench everyone is talking about? I have a 17mm wrench but people talk about an extended one?

[mholme]

Thank you, I have searched and searched with no luck.
Questions:
Do I need to remove the Heat Shields from the car?
If I ruin a heat shield do I have to get a new one or can I run the car without it?
What is this 17mm wrench everyone is talking about? I have a 17mm wrench but people talk about an extended one?

Yes, you need to remove the shields. Some put them back on, others do not. I did and wish I hadn't, could've shaved an hour or two off removal/installation.

You're gonna need several wrenches and extensions and various other tools.

From the audiworld write up:

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng43.shtml

3/8 Drive Socket Wrench

Long Extension (I used a 24" extension)
2 Medium (6 inch) extensions
7 mm Deep Socket
8 mm Deep Socket
13 mm Standard Socket
5 mm Allen/Hex Socket
6 mm Allen/Hex Socket
Universal Swivel Joint (may come in handy)

1/4 Drive Socket Wrench (used mainly for leverage advantage in some situations)
1/4 - 3/8 adapter socket or same attachments as 3/8 Drive above

O2 Sensor Socket *very important* (Try to get a deep O2 sensor socket, it will
make things easier...will likely be a 3/8 drive)
Wrenches

10 mm standard wrench
13 mm standard wrench
17 mm standard wrench
17 mm `extended' wrench (explained below)
22 mm standard wrench
Screwdrivers + misc.

Philips-head Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Large Pliers (non needle-nose)
Extendable magnetic wand (trust me it WILL save you at least once)
Duct Tape
Zip Ties

[The_Jerbel]

No, you don't need to remove the heat shields, but you do need to loosen them up.

You can run the car without the hs's if you want, but you risk burning up anything that may dangle down there (specifically, wiring)

[sCeRaXn]

I didnt put my heat shields back in because i thrashed them while taking them out. Just make sure to ziptie everything out of their way, and i used alot of heat wrap on wiring and other parts that were close to it.

[tgiblin]

driver's side heat shield, take it out from the top or the bottom?
DPs are way harder than I thought. You guys werent joking.
I hope install is easier?

[s4quattro187]

I left my heatsheilds in because I couldnt find any way to properly remove them from the top or bottom. Just take out all the bolts to the HS and the lower clamp and loosin the back 2 sub frame bolts and pull the down pipes out first. Then take the HS out after if you want to. I pulled mine out and left them. The extended 17mm wrench is just a long box end/open end wrench just longer for more leverage. Also a 17mm rachet wrench with a flex head would have made my install WAY easyer. its like $15 for a single one at some hardware stores.