Right/Left Upper/Lower Control Arms Install

[Slow4]

Well, I'm about to engage in the task of putting in my control arms. I've had no prior experience in this particular field, so ANY pointers would be good. I'll consider doing a write-up for it.....

[JD797]

lmk how this goes, i have a front left, upper, rear position control arm that has to be changed

[Slow4]

lmk how this goes, i have a front left, upper, rear position control arm that has to be changed

will do!

First step, do you have a 17mm hex key? I didn't so I had to run out to a sears to get one...wasted 30mins of car time!

[Rated S]

Hey! Just did this today... have fun dropping the sub frame. Took me like 5 hours to do those, and the tie rods and swaybar endlinks.

I wish I took pictures of my joints after i took them out. I'm surprised my wheels didn't fall off.

[Slow4]

Uh-O! My S just spewed something all over my face. While taking off the passenger tire rod end, I accidentally unclasped the rubber cover, and pushed back...next thing you know, I hear a pop as the rubber boot gives way and an oily fluid comes flying at my face...

Quick question...how important is that fluid and exactly what is it?

Also...if the lock not at the end of the tire rod is too hard to get off, how do you gents loosen it?

[JD797]

Quick question...how important is that fluid and exactly what is it?

LOL. best question of the month, hahahaha

[Slow4]

Tire Rod Ends Are Finally Off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! F**k Yea!!!!

After Three Hours Of Labor, With Support From Klum00 (aaron) And My Dads Verbal Wisdom ("no Dumbass...you're Doing It All Wrong. Its The Other Way...move, Let Me Show...wow Thats Tight"), I Finally Got The Little Sh*ts Off.

Oh Btw, Its Easier To Take Off The Upper Arms If You Take Out The Entire Suspension Strut...

(sorry About Caps)

[jakecro]

This will help.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel43.shtml

[Slow4]

This will help.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel43.shtml

Thanks for the help, but thats what I'm already using as my reference guide... that and the Ebahn Online manual.

Future reference to all who DO do this...buy extra 18mm adjustment nut on the tire rod end. Chances are the one on your old tire rod are probably stripped or dethreaded. I had to run all over northern VA to find this nut...got it from HBL.

[IamEzraM]

load up the suspension before you tighten everything, and get it aligned. Might want a ball-joint separator

[Slow4]

so three days of continual interuppted wrenching, i finally got my left control arms on....

future reference to ANY novice wrencher...these things are a b*tch to take off/put on! ESPecially the lower aRMs!

[gointoscott]

Its fun wrenching on the S isnt it

I had plenty of oil and dirt drop in my face and eye's while doing the Dp's I finally went and put on my safetly glasses that were hanging up by my tools. Such an idiot for not doing it earlier.

Whats next on your agenda?

[Slow4]

Anybody know what this particular sensor is?

[gointoscott]

Yep, that is exactly what I mentioned in your PM. Its for the headlights. its a sensor to adjust the up and down.

[Slow4]

Yep, that is exactly what I mentioned in your PM. Its for the headlights. its a sensor to adjust the up and down.

Damn. You work fast!

I already PM'd you on how to remove them without affect the headlights....

[gointoscott]

I actually had to take mine off once. it was on backwards??? At least thats what an audi tech told me once. dont know how that was done? Anyway

So I finally unhooked it from the car and turned it around.

I dont remember exactly how to take it off, but I think there is a clip that holds it on. Take a plyers and screw driver and try and unhook it.

I can run out to my car and look and write back in a minute too.

[Slow4]

I actually had to take mine off once. it was on backwards??? At least thats what an audi tech told me once. dont know how that was done? Anyway

So I finally unhooked it from the car and turned it around.

I dont remember exactly how to take it off, but I think there is a clip that holds it on. Take a plyers and screw driver and try and unhook it.

I can run out to my car and look and write back in a minute too.

Ebhan just told me how...hopefully the clamp still works when i go to put it back on.

[espo4442]

like said before make sure to load the suspension before you tighten them down. Those damn lowers are a bitch

[Slow4]

DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All control arms are put on! I have to wait until tomorrow to fully complete my install. I bought the wrong CV boots and well yea....

Still...I'm done!

[hodan]

Jesus, and you were going to do a write up? Did you even look at www.audiworld.com tech articles?

This job has been done and discussed hundreds of times. Good work on finishing it though.

[Slow4]

Jesus, and you were going to do a write up? Did you even look at www.audiworld.com tech articles?

This job has been done and discussed hundreds of times. Good work on finishing it though.

I WAS....but since one has been written on AW, I decided against. Its for an A4 but its similiar to the S.

Job still isn't 100% complete done though. I'm waiting for my CV boot kit to come in from the dealership. 55-friggin dollars! I would've ordered it through PureMS.com but it'd be here in a little over a week and well, I miss my S already.