CV Boot - How Remove Bolt holding Top Ball Joints?
09-06-2004, 05:37 AM
#1
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CV Boot - How Remove Bolt holding Top Ball Joints?
How do I get the bolt locking in top ball joints out? Afraid to overtorque and break bolt.
Is it threaded into carrier?
Tried soaking with Liq Wrnch for a day and pounding on nut at end of bolt.
Would it just be easier to pop out lower ball joints?
Thanks,
Bike100miles
1998 A6Q
Is it threaded into carrier?
Tried soaking with Liq Wrnch for a day and pounding on nut at end of bolt.
Would it just be easier to pop out lower ball joints?
Thanks,
Bike100miles
1998 A6Q
09-06-2004, 05:49 AM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Don't touch the bottom ball joints, you will damage the rubber seals....
just undo the inner end of the two lower TCA's and you can then pull the hub out enough to get the CV joint out.
09-06-2004, 06:14 AM
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Very easy. Just remove the bolt held by 2 16mm bolt
Look at picture #7 on Andy's tech page on cv at https://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc27.shtml.
The bolt in the picture has 2 16mm sockets. Take the bolt out COMPLETELY and one or both of the arms just 'pop' right out. If one or both are stuck, then first just wiggle the entire arm and it'll pop, or blast a pb, tap it with a mallet, and wiggle again. If this doesn't work, then turn the engine on, and turn the steering wheel every so slighly, wiggle and it should just pop right out.
The arms took me < 1 minute to remove and should be effortless! (Note: Audi service manual states that the aluminum nut should be discarded...)
Good Luck!
IggyB
The bolt in the picture has 2 16mm sockets. Take the bolt out COMPLETELY and one or both of the arms just 'pop' right out. If one or both are stuck, then first just wiggle the entire arm and it'll pop, or blast a pb, tap it with a mallet, and wiggle again. If this doesn't work, then turn the engine on, and turn the steering wheel every so slighly, wiggle and it should just pop right out.
The arms took me < 1 minute to remove and should be effortless! (Note: Audi service manual states that the aluminum nut should be discarded...)
Good Luck!
IggyB
09-06-2004, 06:21 AM
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If you can wait for week or two, and I'll have a new write-up.
1. Absolutely no need to remove the lower ball joints.
2. My assesment is that it's worth the $$$ to get the joint separator tool for vw/audi. If you force the bolt back in, then you end up crushing the head and it's a b#$h to take it out. Not only that, putting the new bolt in also becomes painful.
3. You do not need to remove the axle to replace the outer boot.
I should have a write-up with pictures in roughly 1.5 weeks. Besides the snag I ran into with the bolt, it took me 30 minutes up to this point. I am guessing the whole process (with the vag tool) would take no more then an hour. (Not including time soaking the joint with the paint thinner.)
Iggy
2. My assesment is that it's worth the $$$ to get the joint separator tool for vw/audi. If you force the bolt back in, then you end up crushing the head and it's a b#$h to take it out. Not only that, putting the new bolt in also becomes painful.
3. You do not need to remove the axle to replace the outer boot.
I should have a write-up with pictures in roughly 1.5 weeks. Besides the snag I ran into with the bolt, it took me 30 minutes up to this point. I am guessing the whole process (with the vag tool) would take no more then an hour. (Not including time soaking the joint with the paint thinner.)
Iggy
09-06-2004, 07:21 AM
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The problem Bike100 is having is that
the bolt is rusty and seized in the carrier. It seems around here that 8 out of 10 of those bolts are in there tighter than Rosie O'Donnells *** in an airplane seat. The bolt is not threaded into the carrier. If you have been pounding on the end of the bolt it most likely has mushroomed enough that you will never get it out by hand. Do a search at Harbor Freight tools for item # 4065-1VGA. This is the tool we use to drive the bolt out. One look at the tool and you will see how to use it. You'll need a punch that is smaller in diameter than the bolt to drive thru the carrier.
No offense to IggyB, but I have no idea what he"s talking about, "joint seperator".
No offense to IggyB, but I have no idea what he"s talking about, "joint seperator".
09-06-2004, 12:03 PM
#7
You use this?
So basically you press the bolt out? The head of the bolt fits through the hole at the end of the C clamp? Do you cut the threaded part of the bolt off flush with the housing first?
Sorry for all the questions.
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04000-04099/04065.gif">
Sorry for all the questions.
<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/04000-04099/04065.gif">
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09-06-2004, 12:50 PM
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Exactly, bolt head thru the hole.
No need to cut off the threaded end unless its mushroomed out. Chances are when you get the bolt moved a half inch or so you will have broken it loose. Then you can use a punch and tap it right out. When you replace the bolt use some anti-seize compound.