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

[Per Lindgren]

As long as you're not doing any maintenance to the axle shaft it self,
or taking the strut out of the car (where does that leave us? Replaceing
bushes is what I did), you dont have to remove the axle nut.

Just my $0.02

PerL
87 Cq

Ben Swann wrote:

>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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