KillA6

I am installing OEM shocks/springs for the winter b/c my front end sits too low. So the pass. side went right in no problem. I took the bolt out of the front lower control arm. Shock went in I jacked the Control arm up right there near where the bolt came out and it went right in after I lifted the rotor area some.

Now the drivers side.......

I install the shock and when I did the same exact procedure as above not the same results. When I jacked up the control arm the holes would not line up, the hole closest to the rear of the car was alot closer to being lined up than the front one.

I figured the shock needed to twist some and I was thinking perhaps the rubber bushings wouldn't budge so off the spring came. I cleaned it and put the spring back on. Same issue.

<a href="http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/Fast_N_Snow/?action=view¤t=controlarm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h195/Fast_N_Snow/controlarm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

It seems to line about an inch from the hole but then as I jack the control arm up past that point it seems the shock is pushing the control arm away from the car.

When the shock is not attached it lines up fine.

Things I have tried and failed:

-Spring compressor with spring in car. no help

- used 2 jacks and jacked up not only the control arm but also near rotor and as it raises it pushes away from the car.

- I tried different places on the control arm to raise it up.

Not sure else what I can do to get this thing to work.

I did buy thes used off a fellow AW. Is it possible that my car being a little older than the car they came from that they will not work? But if yes, why would one side work but not the other?

What a damn waste of a weekend!!!!!!

Vikings better win!

A6turbo530

bolting the lower CA in first, then sliding the shock "fork" over the CA and trying to line it up that way? thats what ive always done it and ive never not been able to get it in... granted, yes, it is a MAJOR pain in the *** to line everything up...

MikekiM@PureMS

First, make sure both sides of the vehicle are off the ground. You're fighting the sway bar otherwise.

There really isn't a need to remove the control arm. The shock should go in/out without touching the arm, provided you have both sides of the vehicle in the air.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

This is somewhat strange...the subframe end of the CA should jack right in there. If you can get it up to the frame it helps to whack it with a soft hammer, brass or dead blow, to get it started.

KillA6

Both sides up. No sway bar connected

KillA6

One side. no problem. This side not so much. I tried a few hammers lol

KillA6

that much to line up the holes.

KillA6

PS. Damn Vikings!!!!

Kris Hansen

if not, do it.

KillA6

hole. This is with the one bolt out and the control arm hanging down.

Isn't it supposed to be about lined up at that point?

Seems like its too long.


Also if/when I decide to ditch the OEM. Would it be ok to use spring spacers with my set up now to raise my front end up just for about 6 weeks until I get coil-overs?