WWYD? ( What Would You Do?)
09-25-2016, 08:12 AM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
WWYD? ( What Would You Do?)
I decided to finally replace my sway bar end links today.
The good news is my last suspension clunks have disappeared.
The bad news is that I either cross threaded or got some debris in the drivers side lower bolt. See the picture. I have done a lot of wrench turning in my days, and I am putting way more pressure on this bolt than I should be. I am very nervous about breaking the bolt at this point, there is that much force required to turn the wrench.
Passenger side went in as easy as pie, no issues.
At this point I figure I really have three options.
1. Drive it like this, obviously not ideal.
2. Unscrew that bolt and asses. The problem here is if it is cross threaded, it's never going back in again, and I'm stuck buying a new sway bar.
3. Give 'er hell, and wrench that bolt in 3 more mm until it's tight. Problem with this is, future removal, and possible breakage.
I guess there's a fourth option too...
4. Cut the bolt head off and put a nut in its place.
Here's the pic, gap is less than 3mm
The good news is my last suspension clunks have disappeared.
The bad news is that I either cross threaded or got some debris in the drivers side lower bolt. See the picture. I have done a lot of wrench turning in my days, and I am putting way more pressure on this bolt than I should be. I am very nervous about breaking the bolt at this point, there is that much force required to turn the wrench.
Passenger side went in as easy as pie, no issues.
At this point I figure I really have three options.
1. Drive it like this, obviously not ideal.
2. Unscrew that bolt and asses. The problem here is if it is cross threaded, it's never going back in again, and I'm stuck buying a new sway bar.
3. Give 'er hell, and wrench that bolt in 3 more mm until it's tight. Problem with this is, future removal, and possible breakage.
I guess there's a fourth option too...
4. Cut the bolt head off and put a nut in its place.
Here's the pic, gap is less than 3mm
09-25-2016, 08:31 AM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Option 5, none of the above.
Take pressure off bar first. As in don't have either side jacked up; do with ramps. Or drive on lift, or shade tree drive one side up on curb to get under there.
Drum roll: 5. Remove bolt. Get out tap--or go to H/W store and get one. Run in and out of threads.
Bonus points on 5: Maybe buy new bolt--dealer, or otherwise hardened type. Or cheap out, go back to old one that you should still have too and LockTite it...since you are supposed to replace them for any removal...as in, there's a lesson in here?...
Take pressure off bar first. As in don't have either side jacked up; do with ramps. Or drive on lift, or shade tree drive one side up on curb to get under there.
Drum roll: 5. Remove bolt. Get out tap--or go to H/W store and get one. Run in and out of threads.
Bonus points on 5: Maybe buy new bolt--dealer, or otherwise hardened type. Or cheap out, go back to old one that you should still have too and LockTite it...since you are supposed to replace them for any removal...as in, there's a lesson in here?...
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 09-25-2016 at 08:38 AM.
09-25-2016, 08:38 AM
#3
AudiWorld Senior Member
Good morning Doc,
+1 with MP, tap that hole, also as he stated "new bolt", is it new, or didn't your new links come with new bolts, I have always received new bolts in the box, it just does not look new to me.
+1 with MP, tap that hole, also as he stated "new bolt", is it new, or didn't your new links come with new bolts, I have always received new bolts in the box, it just does not look new to me.
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09-25-2016, 01:28 PM
#8
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
LOL, I only break out the rogue after I've fixed it, otherwise I end up fixing more things...
So I got it fixed, the worst part was the two trips up to the auto parts store, one for the bolt and tap set, one to return the tap set. Took about 5 minutes to get the threads chased enough to accept a new bolt.
Thanks again all...
So I got it fixed, the worst part was the two trips up to the auto parts store, one for the bolt and tap set, one to return the tap set. Took about 5 minutes to get the threads chased enough to accept a new bolt.
Thanks again all...
09-26-2016, 05:11 AM
#9
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
So I spoke too soon about the noises being gone. The 55 mile commute gave me a better read, and if anything- it's louder now. hmmm... time to drop the lower engine shield and take a look at everything again.
09-26-2016, 07:08 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Besides inspecting, try a step by step approach to isolate. That is, each day/drive when you sort of know the issue would arise, give a specific set of bushings a good spray w/ some silicone. See when (if) it improves and you have the problem spot. As always, suspect upper arm bushings even w/ prior replacement. Also main bushings where sway bar bolts to subframe, and finally the various lower ones if nothing else is obvious.