BikerBill

2000 Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 liter engine, manual transmission, 211K miles. I need to change an outer front CV joint. I've read so many horror stories about the pinch bolt that I've decided to detach the lower rear control arm. To do that I need to remove the ball joint. So I need to buy a ball joint separator tool (not the pickle fork type, the center pivot or mini C clamp type). What width opening do I need to look for so the tool will slip over the ball joint? Do I need to remove the clip that holds the rubber boot in place and slide the tool beneath the boot?

BTW, just for chuckles, I tried removing the pinch bolt. PB Blaster, soak it, pound it, try to turn the bolt, soak, pound, turn, etc. As you might expect after 211,000 miles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire winters that bolt ain't going nowhere. I didn't use a breaker bar so at least the bolt is still intact.