[s-cars] control arm removal

[Bill de Alva]

The following links are to a picture of the control arm and a parts diagram of the front suspension:

http://volcano.photobucket.com/albums/v11/tachyon/Audi/Dscn2445.jpg

http://volcano.photobucket.com/albums/v11/tachyon/Audi/s6bushing.jpg

This is all very enlightening.  I recently replaced the bushing at the left front lower control arm where it connects to the frame on my '95 S6, .  The bushing was completely shot, with the inner steel sleeve separated from the rubber.  I had no problem removing the control arm given the slop between the rubber bushing and the inner sleeve.  The inner sleeve is about 1" in diameter and is supposed to be bonded to the rubber that exists between the inner sleeve and the outer steel sleeve.    

It was a bear to get back together.  I used a heavy duty metal working vise and the replacement bushing to press out the old bushing.  The tool of choice here would be a hydraulic press.  The real challenge was getting the control arm well enough aligned to thread the bolt (part #11 in the diagram) back through the frame.  I found it virtually impossible to manipulate the position of the torsion bar and the wheel hub so the control arm bushing was aligned with the frame.  Ultimately, I had to use a come-along to pull the control arm into proper position.  

The reference to a separate sleeve that has to be removed in order to remove the control arm is very interesting to me.  I did not encounter such an inner sleeve when I removed the left control arm on my car.  The parts diagram shows this inner sleeve.  I had assumed that my car was different.  Yet this could explain why I was not able to remove the right control arm from my car.  It seemed like a good idea to replace the bushing on the right side even though it appears to be in good condition.  I tried for over an hour to remove the right control arm and finally gave up, figuring it was not worth the effort to replace a bushing that was still good!

I will now have to inspect the connection at my right control arm more closely.  If I find the inner sleeve Rich refers to in his posting, I'll need to order a replacement for the botched installation on the left side!

Bill de Alva,  '95 S6



From:"Rich Letsinger" <ricoletsinger at yahoo.com>Subject:Re: [s-cars] control arm removalDate:Thu, 19 Feb 2004 15:58:33 -0800 (PST)To:s-car-list at audifans.com

> I'm trying to remove the control arm (93 S4).> Manual indicates that I have to extract a bushing(metal tube) from the> inner bushing (metal and rubber).>liquid nitrogen and a hammer was my preferred methodYou'll need those sleeves for the new control arms soI'd have to recommend against Steve's suggestion... I've always been able to grab that sleeve with needlenose pliers, work the control arm around and pull thesleeve out.  You'll need the ball joint separated, ofcourse, before this will come close to working.Oh, and by the way Steve, liquid nitrogen and a hammerwas how Alex and I got your old turbo off...  Maybethat's why you have a boost issue...  ;)Cheers,Rich



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