Possible to replace upper control arms w/o pulling struts?
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From: Evanston, IL
Possible to replace upper control arms w/o pulling struts?
Car is a 1996 A4 QM V6. I need to do the upper control arms and have read some of the posts here. It seems that you need to pull the struts to get to the bolt heads are that are interior to the spring. Is it possible to cut off the heads inside the spring using a Dremel tool or other cutoff? Aside from the retaining bolt on the hub carrier, this seems like the hardest part of the job. Also, if I can avoid removing the struts, perhaps can avoid another alignment (done a few months ago).
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Joined: Oct 2002
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No....I think.
I suppose really depends on what you mean by "remove". Unbolt the upper plate? It might be possible, but why? It makes no difference in whether you need an alignment or not and it's a lot more work.
I was lost, now I'm found
Joined: Apr 2008
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You dont have to pull the struts, just compress and rotate. Or . . .
I was told others would take off the nut, slide the bolt in the direction of the blue arrow, cut of the head and then slide the bolt in the direction of the red arrow. If you cant pull it all the way through, you can put the nut back on for a better grip.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147179/ca_bolts.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147179/ca_bolts.jpg">
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sure, get out the drill and make you a hole...
in all seriousness those 3 bolts are not bad, drivers side just pull up and move the cable out of the ECU to get the one in the way there. After those bolts are out a good twist to the right will give you enough room to do it. Just did it 2 weeks ago and wasn't bad at all...
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we were able to push every pinch bolt out by hand. Crazy, huh? So didn't get to
deal with them really. I know when I do my car it will be a struggle. I've considered finding a nice used extra set to have on hand and just pull everything out and put the newer ones back in that already have the bolt removed. Then use the ones I pull out to deal with at my leisure and then have them on hand when I do my wife's car in another 2 years as she only has 20K or so on new front CA's.
But I'm guessing you may want to snap/cut the head of the bold off and then use the nut to draw it out. Torch and PB are going to be your friend too is my guess.
But I'm guessing you may want to snap/cut the head of the bold off and then use the nut to draw it out. Torch and PB are going to be your friend too is my guess.
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When I did mine on my '96 I was able to get the rear arm off with no prob,
For the front arm I opened the hood, unbolted the 3 bolts behind the firewall that attatch the strut mounting plate to the car, then you can kind of wiggle the whole strut assembly a hair to the side. It helps to slide a crowbar above the mounting plate and pry the strut down and over
Although now that I think about it there was another screw / bolt / post coming into the strut plate that I had to cut off. It was like a 4th mounting bolt but it didn't come out of the top into the firewall area, it was just part of the body. I think it was some kind of alignment peg but it seemed completely unnecessary so i hacked it off with a small saw =). I've had no ill effects from doing so.
I also only did the passenger side so I don't know if there's one of those on the driver's side.
Although now that I think about it there was another screw / bolt / post coming into the strut plate that I had to cut off. It was like a 4th mounting bolt but it didn't come out of the top into the firewall area, it was just part of the body. I think it was some kind of alignment peg but it seemed completely unnecessary so i hacked it off with a small saw =). I've had no ill effects from doing so.
I also only did the passenger side so I don't know if there's one of those on the driver's side.
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