Upper control arms pinch bolt.....

[SLC_S4]

I know there are write ups on how to remove this when doing the control arms and cv boot and I think I've looked at every one of them......but anyone have any other suggestions? If I try twisting it any more I feel like it's going to twist the head off and I really don't want to have to drill it out. I've lubed it up pretty good, but still nothing.....any help is appreciated.

[mholme]

I know there are write ups on how to remove this when doing the control arms and cv boot and I think I've looked at every one of them......but anyone have any other suggestions? If I try twisting it any more I feel like it's going to twist the head off and I really don't want to have to drill it out. I've lubed it up pretty good, but still nothing.....any help is appreciated.

If it feels like it's going to twist off, it probably is. I twisted off the head of mine and then had to use heat from a torch and a punch. Make sure the suspension is jacked up to take the load off the arms. What are you doing, control arms? suspension install?

[SLC_S4]

I'm doing axles....
Do I need to jack up both sides, or just the side I'm working on?

[mholme]

One side at a time should be fine. You've got the sway bar off, right?

[SLC_S4]

No, nothing I've looked at has mentioned that the sway bar needs to be removed. Would that help?

[mholme]

Never done axles, so I don't know if the sway bar needs to come off, it couldn't hurt. However, when I bought my car, I had to have a driver side axle replaced to pass MD inspection and I KNOW they didn't pull that pinch bolt. You sure there isn't a write up somewhere, maybe on audiworld for replacing the axle without removing the pinch bolt? I'm thinking it can be done...

[SLC_S4]

I did find one for a 2.8 A4 that just moved the inner joint into the empty space above and in front of it and then pulled the outer joint.....but there isn't quite as much room in the 2.7. I've tried and can't quite get the outer joint moved far enough to pull it all the way out.

[SLC_S4]

And before I try anymore, is that bolt reverse threaded? I'm thinking not, but I thought I'd just ask.....

[mholme]

No, it's not reverse threaded. Search on audiworld. 30sec worth of searching and I found 2 posts about just jacking up the hub as fas as you can and working out the axle from side to side. Not very detailed, but you should be able to find better ones, maybe with pictures. Good luck.

[GetAwayFromMe]

You shuold be fine with just removing the upper control arms to get the axle out. Since you already beat on it might as well finish it. Use a torch to heat it up and hamer it, it should come out. I have dome many axels in almost every audi and torch works the best just watch out so you don't burn the control arm boots, once it's hot air hammer or just regular hammer and it will come out. Once it's in use a punch to punch it through.

P.S If you go to Advance Auto they have bolts that are exacly like audi pinch bolts and are like $1 a peace. Take your old one in and tell them you need one just like that.

[goohead]

i soaked my for 4 days before w/ pb blaster, if you have less time torch and hammer works well.just put some anti seize when putting it back

[md s4]

you do NOT need to remove the pinch bolt or the upper c/a's to get the axles out.. , place the car on jack stands, remove the axle bolt, then remove the inner axles bolts, place a floor jack underneath the rotor with a rag or piece of wood and compress the suspension, wiggle the axle out and replace the axle.. I did both ft axles in 1.5 hrs.. not a hard job at all.. just make sure that you have a friend that can help you turn the axles while your underneath the car for the inner bolts. ( makes it alot easier).. you do not need to remove any other suspension pieces to do this job

[SLC_S4]

you do NOT need to remove the pinch bolt or the upper c/a's to get the axles out.. , place the car on jack stands, remove the axle bolt, then remove the inner axles bolts, place a floor jack underneath the rotor with a rag or piece of wood and compress the suspension, wiggle the axle out and replace the axle.. I did both ft axles in 1.5 hrs.. not a hard job at all.. just make sure that you have a friend that can help you turn the axles while your underneath the car for the inner bolts. ( makes it alot easier).. you do not need to remove any other suspension pieces to do this job

Thanks, that's what I just did and it works great. Got the axle out just with my brother turning the axles, didn't have to compress the suspension or anything.

[jblinga]

See what happens when you don't ask mr. bling for help...You have to make posts to figure it out!

haha jk glad you got her done!

[DxC]

i have no idea how you got the axle out without compressing the suspension, or turning the wheel to full lock ... because this is how ive done 5 axle jobs and there is a method to doing it as clearances are very tight

[infinkc]

i always removed the upper control arms. you can then pull the axle from the hub and do the boot replacement while the axle is still mounted (if only the outer) I did mine 1 hr each side.

it is easier if you raise the whole front up so it take the tension off the sway.

as for the bolt, soak that thing in pb blaster or heat it with a torch.

[SLC_S4]

See what happens when you don't ask mr. bling for help...You have to make posts to figure it out!

haha jk glad you got her done!

Haha I know, I was regretting it the whole time

[quickglx]

Another way....
Remove the rear lower curved arm nut securing to the wheel bearing housing. Knock it out and pull out of the wheel bearing housing. Turn the wheel to full lock, pull the outer joint out. Hammer the joint off the shaft.......

[biketsai]

torchhh

[SLC_S4]

i have no idea how you got the axle out without compressing the suspension, or turning the wheel to full lock ... because this is how ive done 5 axle jobs and there is a method to doing it as clearances are very tight

Just a little bit of maneuvering got the axle out. I did have to have the wheel to full lock. I had to compress the suspension to get the new axle in though.