front upper control arms r&r without taking off strut possible?
06-21-2007, 07:31 AM
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front upper control arms r&r without taking off strut possible?
<center><img src="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/wheel43_kevcpa4_008.JPG"></center><p>It looks like you can just pull the bolts that hold the control arms to the upper strut mount right off. Is there any clearance issues with pulling the bolts out? Do they hit the wheel well?
I figured its probably time to change mine out.
I figured its probably time to change mine out.
06-21-2007, 07:41 AM
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Are you just replacing the upper's? I would do them all if I were you ..
I just did all of my front's complete with TRE's and swaybar links, and while the upright's were out I had new wheel bearings pressed in. It'll save you alot of headache later, and definately easier to take care of everything at once. I guess it depends on your mileage. But if your uppers look like that, I'd imagine they are all shot, including TRE's.
I got a kit on ebay, they work fine. in reference to your question though, there is a clearance issue pulling the bolt out. I think I had trouble with one on each side. I ended up just dropping the whole upper mount that the arms and shock bolt to, its really easy you can do it from the engine bay. It actually makes things ALOT easier to just unbolt the spring and shock assembly and get it completely out of the way, its just the big bolt in the bottom and the two 10mm nuts, you can get to them from the engine bay.
I got a kit on ebay, they work fine. in reference to your question though, there is a clearance issue pulling the bolt out. I think I had trouble with one on each side. I ended up just dropping the whole upper mount that the arms and shock bolt to, its really easy you can do it from the engine bay. It actually makes things ALOT easier to just unbolt the spring and shock assembly and get it completely out of the way, its just the big bolt in the bottom and the two 10mm nuts, you can get to them from the engine bay.
06-21-2007, 07:46 AM
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Maybe to get them out, but getting them torqued back to spec in there will be next to unpossible.
Every write up I've seen, all 2 of them, say to remove the strut assembly.
Probably for good reason.
Probably for good reason.
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06-21-2007, 07:52 AM
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I just did them and the only parts difference was the lower arms.
Remember to load the suspension to ride height before tightening the inside bolts. Your bushings won't last long otherwise.
Oh, and dropping the strut tower out is cake. Just three bolts, but it helps to have someone help putting them back for lining up the holes. Anyone who can turn a nut can do it.
Oh, and dropping the strut tower out is cake. Just three bolts, but it helps to have someone help putting them back for lining up the holes. Anyone who can turn a nut can do it.
06-21-2007, 08:35 AM
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After just doing this job, you really might be better off saving up for the whole set.
I think I paid 330$ for a complete set. With the amount of labor you'd be doing, you'd almost be doing the same amount of labor all over again to do the bottoms, which are most likely shot anyway.