audilvr2.7t

I could use a little helpful information from anybody...I have a 2000 a6 2.7t and the upper control arms are toast. Will this be something I can do on my own and then take in to get an alignment or is this totally out of my control and need to take to a shop?

kingfishgrapejam

Pinch bolt can be rough but it is definitely DIYable.

Just Me

The pinch bolt is either awful or not too bad.

What i found more difficult - and disconceerting - was the amount of force it took to pull the entire strut back up so that the pinch bolt could be re-installed. Possibly I should have disconnected more of the lower suspension than I did. bentley was nto helpful here.
But you can do it.
make sure you have a 16mm socket and wrench.

Grant

Grapeking

get the pinch bolt out. Note, like you I have a 2000. I had never needed to pull the pinch bolts (this was a year ago so the car was 7 years old at the time). Pinch bolts were/are absolutely frozen in place. I tried soaking with PB Blaster for a week before the job, hitting with a 5 lb. sledge up to 500 times (yes, I was counting) etc. Couldn't get them to budge. I did not try heat, just opted for the alternative approach to get the CV boot job finished.
Hopefully your pinch bolts go better.

Press

a 5lb sledge 500 times....gk you're a mans man....8^)

Grapeking

...thanks, but it's really more like I'm just stupidly stubborn!

Press

ok....a stubborn mans man....8^)

Just Me

Wouldn;t a real man get it done in less than 500 swings?

Grapeking

probably so....I'm still hoping!!

audilvr2.7t

ok, well now that I know it's do able I might give it a try. I appreciate the help everyone.