4kq/coupe front control arm/balljoint/CV removal procedure (was HELP! ..)

[Ben Swann]

Brady,

Comments below.

In short,  I have tried shortcutting the job of replacing various
suspension components, or like when I replace a CV boot.  What I have found
is it is just best to "cut to the chase" and just remove the control arm
entirely.  Then it is easy to service the various components.  You can also
inspect the bushings - I had one set just fall out of the control arm when
I removed it as they were wasted.

My "just do it" procedure now is:

1) Loosten axle nut - use long steel tube over breaker bar and 30mm socket.

2) loosten lug nuts - may need to use that steel bar here too if the wheels
have not been off for awhile.

3) Jack up car and use jack stand for security.

4) remove lugs and wheel

5) remove axle nut entirely

6) remove upper nut on swaybar

7) remove ball joint bolt - 17mm wrench on bolt head and 17mm socket on
nut.

8) remove inner control arm bolts.  17mm socket on bolt head - various
extensions may be required - slight difference between quattro and coupe.
 Need to use offset 17mm box end wrench on the nut inside of the control
arm.

9) Remove control arm, starting with inner side first, then you can
manipulate control arm so it slides off control arm.  BFH may be required.
 Careful not to damage the CV boot, or ball joint boot(if not already
damaged).

10) If replacing or repairing inner CV/axle, remove CV joint bolts. Outer
CV boot can be replaced with axle attached as a few well placed blows with
BFH will knock the out CV joint off easily.

11) Tie rod end r/r is easier at this point, and this may be a good time to
service the brakes, as everything is easier to deal with.

12) Assemble in reverse order.  Complete time is between one an two hours
if all parts on hand.

Since I reiterated these steps from the top of my head, if I missed
anything, or overlooked something, feel free to comment or correct.

Ben

On Thursday, July 25, 2002 12:56 AM, Brady Moffatt
[SMTP:bradym at sympatico.ca] wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ben Swann" <bswann at worldnet.att.net>
> >
> > Brady,
> >
> > Try -
> >
> > 1) removing axle shaft nut, if you haven't already.
>
> Nope. Axle shaft nut? You mean that huge (bigger than my 27mm socket) one
in
> the center of the brake rotor?

YES - 30mm I think

>
> > 2) Swaybar needs detaching.
>
> Done.
> >
> > 3)  Remove the bolts that hold the control arm to the subframe.
>
> Done.
> >
> > 4) I asume you removed the bolt holding the ball jiont to the wheel hub
> assembly - 17mm wrench.
>
> Nope. Removed 2 nuts from 2 studs on a little plate that holds the ball
> joint tab in the control arm (17mm). It looks like it's for camber or toe
> adjustment.

NO - do that after the control arm is removed from the car.
>
> >
> > You should be able to knock the control arm down, and then
> rotate/manipulate the ball joint out.
> >
> > If you've done these already, you need a bigger hammer.
>
> Got the right one out, but am on break til tomorrow AM for the left one.
> I'll try the caliper bolts again, then backing plate, then block of wood
and
> hammer, and maybe pry open the slot in the control arm a bit.
>
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> Cheers,
> Brady
> >
> > Ben,
> >
> >
> > [I've removed all nuts and bolts from the front control arms on my
parts
> car
> > 4kq, and I can't get the ball joint tab to slide out of the control
arm.
> > Everything else is out.
> >
> > What to do? I'll try putting the control arm bolts back in at the
bushing,
> > then hammer outwards on the lower part of the strut, but I don't think
> I'll
> > be able to get much behind it.
> >
> > Any hints?
> >
> > Back to the garage....
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Brady Moffatt]
> >
>
>
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