You know you're timing chain job is going poorly when...

[buelldozer]

You can't get the front wheels off!

I'm following Allowncer's path and removing the front carrier assembly so the front wheels are coming off...except the damn things were stuck on! Removed all the lugs and couldn't rip the wheels off with a winch, which is weird 'cuz I have them rotated every time I change the oil!

I ended up using a sledge and a 2 x 4 stuck between the spokes (Yay 5 spokes!) to get them removed.

I'm off to a excellent start.

[blbroo]

That is a bad start, man. Hope isn't all that frustrating. I've had to kick wheels off before while laying on my back.

[Allowencer]

You can't get the front wheels off!

I'm following Allowncer's path and removing the front carrier assembly so the front wheels are coming off...except the damn things were stuck on! Removed all the lugs and couldn't rip the wheels off with a winch, which is weird 'cuz I have them rotated every time I change the oil!

I ended up using a sledge and a 2 x 4 stuck between the spokes (Yay 5 spokes!) to get them removed.

I'm off to a excellent start.

Here's a trick for next time:
- Just break the lugs loose, no more than 1/2 a turn on the wheels you want to take off.
- Get back in the car, start it and reverse / drive out of your garage / driveway (yes, I'm being serious)
- Just go 20' feet or so and get on the brakes at a medium level. This will break the wheel loose from the hub.
- Sometimes going forward and then reverse; the "back and forth" will break the wheel from the hub

This happens when salt, road grime, calcium deposits build up between the inside of the wheel's face and the face of the rotor's hub. How to avoid this from happening again? Grab just a smidge of anti-sieze and smear it on the face of the rotor's hub. You'll thank yourself later

[buelldozer]

"Grab just a smidge of anti-sieze and smear it on the face of the rotor's hub. You'll thank yourself later "

I do that and I can still see the AS on the hub face.

Oh well, I'm past that point. I promise not ta' bitch about every little thing too, this was just an inauspicious start and I had to mention it.

[DPD314]

I had the happen on the side of the road when my tire blew-out. Thank god for those State-Farm trucks that drive around on the highways in NJ came along with a wooden mallet. He knocked it off after I tried for about 45 minutes in 10 degree weather trying to pull/kick the tire off.

[Allowencer]

"Grab just a smidge of anti-sieze and smear it on the face of the rotor's hub. You'll thank yourself later "

I do that and I can still see the AS on the hub face.

Oh well, I'm past that point. I promise not ta' bitch about every little thing too, this was just an inauspicious start and I had to mention it.

Wow, I've never had that happen once I put anti-sieze on. Maybe it's the type you're using? I only use this stuff:


I hear ya on the 'off to a great start' point - it is funny .

[buelldozer]

Well here's how I ended up for the night.

Sorry for the pictures taken with a potato. My wife has both good cameras with her out of town so I'm down to the snap shooter I normally take hunting.





Tomorrow night I'll finish removing the front carrier and rads. With a bit of luck I'll get the timing covers of as well. I really want to see what happened here!

[hyperunion]

Well here's how I ended up for the night.

Sorry for the pictures taken with a potato. My wife has both good cameras with her out of town so I'm down to the snap shooter I normally take hunting.





Tomorrow night I'll finish removing the front carrier and rads. With a bit of luck I'll get the timing covers of as well. I really want to see what happened here!

That's literally the filthiest b8 engine bay I've seen!!!!!!

[LINDW4LL]

Wow, that's filthy!

[shonseb]

What I do to get a stuck wheel off: with all the lugs off, slowly lower the car with the Jack (not to be done with a widow maker). The weight of the car will break the wheel loose.

Sent from my Galaxy S6+ using Tapatalk

[Allowencer]

Nice work!

Since most of the 'service position' steps I wrote up were drafted from the top of my head, how accurate was I? Feel free to provide any corrections / feedback and I'll adjust the DIY.

[Crucible35]

Road-side assistant drivers are well aware of the issue with getting the wheel off the hub.....can you imagine when they have to change out a flat or if you decided to change out a flat on the side of the road? Tow truck driver once told me "Yup, all Audi's have the issue. That's why we keep a rubber mallet in the cab!"

[bakedziti]

What I do to get a stuck wheel off: with all the lugs off, slowly lower the car with the Jack (not to be done with a widow maker). The weight of the car will break the wheel loose.

Sent from my Galaxy S6+ using Tapatalk

+1...This is my method as well, works like a charm.

[Allowencer]

It's not 'just' Audi's that have this issue. This issue is more common on cars with bolts for the hub instead of lugs. Also the design of the wheel's inside face has a determining factor. I've had this issue on Ford, Honda, Acura vehicles too.

I've tried the 'lower the car on the jack' method - doesn't always work. The drive around with the bolts broken loose is the guaranteed method I use every time. Wood, mallet, etc. - don't want to damage the wheel or tire. I've seen guys blow out a side wall seal that way.

[buelldozer]

Yup, the engine bay is dirty and dusty but that's the reality of living in Wyoming. Every engine bay comes to look like that pretty quick, especially when you just drove the car 450 miles on the Interstate the night before.

Your service position steps are decent so far Allowencer. I've been taking notes and pictures and I'll send you some additions / corrections once I have the cylinder head off. I really do appreciate your DIY and the time you're taking to put it together.