wish me luck

[duk3]

I'm gonna need it!

[duk3]

Ugh idk how to phone.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kDdkAYMDmDTVhJU0dQa05NaEE

[Audibot]

Good luck!

Funny, I'll be doing my coilovers early next week when my new spring compressor shows up

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Tons of fun right there!

What coils are you going with?

[rocket1420]

Ugh idk how to phone.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kD...VhJU0dQa05NaEE

Yeah I give up too. My table will look like that soon, along with some engine gaskets and other fun stuff. I hope that the suspension is as straightforward as it seems.

[Audibot]

Yeah I give up too. My table will look like that soon, along with some engine gaskets and other fun stuff. I hope that the suspension is as straightforward as it seems.

It's pretty straightforward. Honestly the biggest issue is the rear springs. The easiest way to tackle those is to lower the subframe a bit and then compress it as much as you dare and remove it. Reverse process for install. Fronts aren't bad at all.

For the control arms, if you have a ball joint spreader, you'll save a headache when you remove the lowers. Be sure to check the nut that came with the control arms--usually it's a plain lock nut, rather than the actual shouldered lock nut that you need. And remember the control arms all need to be tightened while at ride height. May want to check your axles while you have the area free. Hopefully you're close enough you hit up EuropaParts the same day. Auto Haas also offers lifetime warranty on axles, though they are used.

Oh, and lubricate your pinch bolt while you are in there!!

[duk3]

Yeah I give up too. My table will look like that soon, along with some engine gaskets and other fun stuff. I hope that the suspension is as straightforward as it seems.

Good luck in advance!

It hasn't been straightforward actually but shit happens. After an 15 hours today just trying to remove pinch bolts from one knuckle, I broke the knuckle.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kD...EE0RXBXVWJNdE0

[duk3]

It's pretty straightforward. Honestly the biggest issue is the rear springs. The easiest way to tackle those is to lower the subframe a bit and then compress it as much as you dare and remove it. Reverse process for install. Fronts aren't bad at all.

For the control arms, if you have a ball joint spreader, you'll save a headache when you remove the lowers. Be sure to check the nut that came with the control arms--usually it's a plain lock nut, rather than the actual shouldered lock nut that you need. And remember the control arms all need to be tightened while at ride height. May want to check your axles while you have the area free. Hopefully you're close enough you hit up EuropaParts the same day. Auto Haas also offers lifetime warranty on axles, though they are used.

Oh, and lubricate your pinch bolt while you are in there!!

Awesome advice, thanks! Appreciate the tips. I have Raxles brand axles less than a year old so those are fine. Except that I pulled one in half today accidentally. Hopefully a hose clamp holds the boot after I reassemble it.

[duk3]

Tons of fun right there!

What coils are you going with?

Solo Werks. Hope I'm not disappointed!

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Solo Werks. Hope I'm not disappointed!

I'm sure you wont be. Im on the JOM bluelines and have nothing but good things to say so far.

[rocket1420]

It's pretty straightforward. Honestly the biggest issue is the rear springs. The easiest way to tackle those is to lower the subframe a bit and then compress it as much as you dare and remove it. Reverse process for install. Fronts aren't bad at all.

For the control arms, if you have a ball joint spreader, you'll save a headache when you remove the lowers. Be sure to check the nut that came with the control arms--usually it's a plain lock nut, rather than the actual shouldered lock nut that you need. And remember the control arms all need to be tightened while at ride height. May want to check your axles while you have the area free. Hopefully you're close enough you hit up EuropaParts the same day. Auto Haas also offers lifetime warranty on axles, though they are used.

Oh, and lubricate your pinch bolt while you are in there!!

Thanks for the tips!

Good luck in advance!

It hasn't been straightforward actually but shit happens. After an 15 hours today just trying to remove pinch bolts from one knuckle, I broke the knuckle.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kD...EE0RXBXVWJNdE0

Oh man that sucks. Do you have a pull-your-part or something for a replacement?

[duk3]

I'm sure you wont be. Im on the JOM bluelines and have nothing but good things to say so far.

Great! I'm also a bit worried about fitting my wheel/tires without rubbing or other problems but for now I gotta just get a new knuckle and our this shit back together!

[customa4]

Nothing I've done on this car has ever been straightforward the first time. After you've done it once or twice it becomes a bit more straightforward. It took me pretty much the entire weekend to do my suspension the first time. Now it's much easier to do. Here's a link that should help along the way. Click

[Audibot]

Good luck in advance!

It hasn't been straightforward actually but shit happens. After an 15 hours today just trying to remove pinch bolts from one knuckle, I broke the knuckle.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kD...EE0RXBXVWJNdE0

I've done the same thing in the past, on both of mine. Wasn't because of the pinch bolt--looked like galvanic corrosion on mine. Anyway, first thing tomorrow when they open, call up Auto Haas in Paterson (find them on Facebook). More likely than not they'll have a B6/B7 upright you can use. When I needed mine, I think it was $85 apiece or something like that (included the hub still attached too).

[Audibot]

I'm sure you wont be. Im on the JOM bluelines and have nothing but good things to say so far.

I'm running those b/c I needed something temporary and cheap. Comfort isn't the best, but then again, neither are Maryland roads (read: completely suck ass). My rear springs are rusted because of the cheap coating/paint. Waiting on a new spring compressor to arrive tomorrow and will be swapping them out.

[fyremanpat]

Solo werks directions say to have about an inch of threads showing to start with on the spring seats. When I did mine I was sitting on the bump stops. You'll need a lot more. Also if youre running aftermarket wheels, theres a very strong chance your fenders and tires may meet. Also I ended up having to drill out my pinch bolts. Lastly, dont tighten your control arms UNTIL youre at ride height. Good luck!

[diagnosticator]

Good luck in advance!

It hasn't been straightforward actually but shit happens. After an 15 hours today just trying to remove pinch bolts from one knuckle, I broke the knuckle.

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_kD...EE0RXBXVWJNdE0

...

[duk3]

I bought a used one on eBay which should be delivered tomorrow. Hope everything works out with it but I guess I'll see.

Pass side front was a dream in comparison and is mostly complete.

Thanks Audibot for the help! You suggested ball joint spreader. I thought I'd be good with my forked air chisel thingy. But I see now how the sleeves can stick onto the ball joints of front wheel, rear-lower control arms. My air chisel isn't helping get the sleeve thingys off old arms. I'm going to ride my bike to home depot and advance auto shortly and hopefully find a tool. I now second your comment about this!

Further headaches in this project have involved fixing my bike in a number of ways and accidentally pulling apart an axle at the u-joint. I'm hoping a big hose clamp can hold the boot sufficiently when I'm done.

Last night I pulled out most of the evap system near the turbo which I'd been dying to do. I only get about 4 psi of boost so I really hope to find some of the problem. Happily, removing the tip revealed an impeller without damage and the wastegate actuator arm had no play in it. So I'm hoping turbo is ok. I have had the theory that my catalytic converter is clogged. We'll see. Before I go to buy a ball joint spreader I'm going to try and remove the cat for inspection. The bolts at the exhaust of the cat look like they're made of terracotta so I may be opening another can of worms but I'm already up to my Wang Chung here so, why not?

Gonna check for replies to a part now where I'm hoping to buy someone's motor mounts and TIP.

P.S. I still love Audi

[OlivierA4]

i am doing the same thing right now on my A4 B6 3.0L. where are you in NJ? i am in somerville, NJ which is not far from europart. if you live nearby, i can let you borrow my joint ball removal tool. and how do heck are you broken off your knuckle?

[customa4]

Definitely take a good look at the cat.

[duk3]

Thank you Oliver! That's so nice. I got the ball joints apart but it's the little sleeves for lower control arms that I'm fighting with. I'll link a photo below. One of broken knuckle too. And... Drum roll... One of my mega clogged cat! I'm excited to see what boost I get with it cleaned out!

https://goo.gl/photos/4LqdY2gNwVr3DgJP8
Look here where the bolt is still in there but it just looks like one piece of aluminum:
https://goo.gl/photos/Aq1ZC7uthoN9Eibg9
These won't separate yet: https://goo.gl/photos/kBSTBaTHa8i6KVML8
Clogged cat:
https://goo.gl/photos/eWqn32x9iprYs8HW8

[old guy]

These won't separate yet: https://goo.gl/photos/kBSTBaTHa8i6KVML8

Use a ball joint fork to separate the insert sleeve from the post. Heat the sleeve a little with a propane torch and it will pop off with a little pressure from the fork. Next clean up the insertion hole with a little fine grit sandpaper. Put the sleeve in your freezer overnight. Put a thin film of oil on the walls of the insertion hole. Use your torch to heat the knuckle around the hole. Take the insert out of the freezer and quickly tap or clamp the insert into the hole.

Done.

[OlivierA4]

Thank you Oliver! That's so nice. I got the ball joints apart but it's the little sleeves for lower control arms that I'm fighting with. I'll link a photo below. One of broken knuckle too. And... Drum roll... One of my mega clogged cat! I'm excited to see what boost I get with it cleaned out!

https://goo.gl/photos/4LqdY2gNwVr3DgJP8
Look here where the bolt is still in there but it just looks like one piece of aluminum:
https://goo.gl/photos/Aq1ZC7uthoN9Eibg9
These won't separate yet: https://goo.gl/photos/kBSTBaTHa8i6KVML8
Clogged cat:
https://goo.gl/photos/eWqn32x9iprYs8HW8

can you get the picture of the clogged cat at broader view? i would like to see and might have to look into mine as well :)