Audi A4 B7 Replacing the rear control arms ( Subframe Removal )

[@dimitargoranov7930]

Nice video here!I will leave a pro tip for for everyone because this is probably the most detailed video of lowering an 8E subframe,and it's even a Quattro one!👀 If you're lowering the subframe,it'll be thrown out of alignment and you may experience some anomalies which many shops will scratch their heads over. -Left/right wheel sticking out more than the other -Left/right wheel being too far forward while the other one seems ok or it's too far backwards -Mysterious alingment problems and uneven tire wear While these may not be noticed instantly,they may be present in your car too. The solution to this is when you're assembling everything back together,take your time and measure these distances,tighten the bolts lightly and measure again because the subframe may shift a bit.Aim for the best possible symmetry because sadly Audi didn't provide us with alignment holes like the ones on the front subframe. And a second tip,absolutely always renew the bolts and buy only OEM ones because these bolts do stretch a lot and as you can see,they are tightened really good. I hope this comment was useful for someone because I too have been through this and people were calling me crazy.This information was gathered from Audizine and different B6/B7 enthusiasts and if anyone wants it but can't find it,I'll gladly share it since I keep the links.

[@MyHomeGarage]

That is a true pro tip.

[@templetempest1730]

Thank you

[@85cactus]

You`ve just saved me hours of work by showing how to lower that subframe down step by step mate ;)

[@milanpetrzilka6875]

Hi, many thanks for the tutorial! I have just managed it too. Keep doing this good job! Thanks from Czech Republic

[@MyHomeGarage]

Thanks brother.

[@Smludt]

Thanks man, even having Bentley this helped, even more by sharing my frustrations with someone. Literally spent all day yesterday dealing with same issue and now today is removing the SF like this.

[@MyHomeGarage]

For sure. It's one of those jobs you don't forget.

[@henricnerman]

Thank you for a great video. I used this video as a guide when doing the same thing on my Passat B7 4motion. I can now confirm that it is possible to do this with the car on jack stands, outside on the driveway. However I would not recommend it… 😂 Took me up towards 30 hours spread out over 3 days to do it all. Though I had to fight a lot with rust everywhere since I live in Sweden, with salt on the roads 5 months per year. 😅

[@rjack151]

Appreciate this real world video. Unfortunately I don’t have a 2 post in my garage, so there will be plenty of colorful language accomplishing this off jack stands 🤣

[@MyHomeGarage]

I believe it is totally doable with the jack stands. Goodluck

[@ramonovazquez4351]

Good video. I’m planning to replace all suspension parts (front and rear) on my 2007 Audi A4.

[@MyHomeGarage]

Nice. Its not too bad. Even with some siezed bolts. Lol

[@billmurray1199]

My car has exact same corrosion issues, nuts and bolts seem to weld themselves together eventually. Thanks for going to the trouble of making the video, it means I'm going to try to undo that bolt before I even order the parts and Im going to start soaking it in lube regularly for a few weeks beforehand as I certainly won't be dropping subframe on my drive.

[@MyHomeGarage]

Good luck brother....

[@niall01oneill]

If you have some type of mig welder I can confirm if you get in behind the nut that’s tack welded on you can get in past the Exhuast by taking the rear box off it’s mount You will be able to weld said but back to the car the bish bash take your bolt out. Tried and tested

[@TheBFBomber]

Glad im not the onlyone with this problem

[@MyHomeGarage]

Lol..

[@petercambridge1024]

I went to have my tracking done on my a4 quattro est and they showed me bolts that have rusted them in place so I've gotta do all that and replace the wishbones aswell as they think the bushes have worn out but gonna watch this video a few times before I even attempt any of that and I enjoyed the way you explained everything as you went Carry on the good work .......look forward to more videos

[@damanyluke5454]

Kool! U put some amazing work into this!

[@MyHomeGarage]

Yes I did. Im officially daily driving it. But there is more to come. Preventive maintenance especially.

[@elbutchos]

What size is the nut that is spinning with the bolt at 1:15 ? Would a nut extractor work if you manage to hammer it on ?

[@MyHomeGarage]

Check the comments someone commented on it.

[@5876526]

Is there no room to weld the nut back on enough to u do the bolt?

[@yvindrytterjohansen2306]

Hi, you are a hard working man, apreciate your video! But you would done this on 2-3hours like i did. This loose bolt is 8 sprocket, not 6 like normal cars, VAG have some bolts that are not intended to come loose, they are 8 sprocket... i had exact same problem but didnt want to unscrew the whole car. So i modified an 24mm socket to fit 8 shape bolt, with a big dremel tool. So with an extender i was able to unscrew it from over the gas filling tube on the right rear. The secret is 8 shaped socket to fit the stupid 8shaped nut, a extender about 3" and a torque wrench. Good luck guys 😊💪

[@MyHomeGarage]

I love making life harder then it has to be. Lol.

[@lebedeinupgrade]

Do you can explain how you exactly reach the bolt? Is ist maybe a 27mm 8 shaped nut as Tool that i need? Is it reachable on Both sides left and Right without letting the subframe down ?

[@MyHomeGarage]

It's not easy to reach especially since there are things in the way and if it's super tight it doesn't help. Check comments someone got it out and mentioned the size awhile back. The rear passenger is the one that is hard to get to.

[@zimmz123]

is it possible to do all of this just cutting arms out and replacing and not dropping the subframe at all?

[@MyHomeGarage]

Maybe if you have all the right tools

[@klssn34]

Important for everyone!!! ALWAYS TORQUE RUBBER BUSHINGS AT RIDE HEIGHT!!!! The work by being clamped in a neutral position that they want to return to, therefore pulling/pushing on the suspension and not pushing and pulling when the car is sitting still. If you torque them in a random position and let the car sit on them they are under extreme constant stress and WILL rip within a month and you can do it all again.

[@Ahturro]

Respect man

[@MyHomeGarage]

Thanks

[@Chris-lz7sx]

Well done!

[@aus279561]

Could you remove the fuel tank without taking the rear subframe out?

[@MyHomeGarage]

I believe so.

[@andyracksthecams]

You could have tacked it back to the sub frame maybe?

[@MyHomeGarage]

I agree. That would have been smart.

[@haggismuncher4543]

Spanner goes in there no problem

[@bizzypharaoh663]

How time you spend for that job?

[@MyHomeGarage]

Half a day it was over 2 years ago now. I believe

[@geneb4115]

I noticed that you tightened and torqued the control arm bolts in the raised position. Is that going to stretch and eventually tear the bushing in the loaded position with normal suspension travel?

[@MyHomeGarage]

100% Since you can't access it in place because the nut will spin I torqued it as close to the original position as it came out. Because the whole subframe its pretty much out its impossible to torque them with vehicle load. We do what we can. Good observation.

[@robertficek7586]

@@MyHomeGarage I did the exact work on a B7 sedan, those captive nuts hold for tightening but not well in reverse. I put a very small tack weld, about 4mm dab when i reinstalled it just to avoid ever dropping the sub frame again. I was able to access the bolt for tightening the control arm bolts with the car loaded, but not the back nut to counter hold it, just the front bolts.

[@MyHomeGarage]

@@robertficek7586 I considered that but my welder wasn't around someone had jt. Also the arm should be good till it goes to the grave lol

[@Chris-lz7sx]

what brand is the lift you have?

[@MyHomeGarage]

Thanks. liftsuperstore.com/product/ragtop-convertible-9000-lb-4t/

[@bobthablder]

What size wrench did you use for the impossible nut?

[@bobthablder]

At the 16:15 mark.

[@MyHomeGarage]

15/16 i believe i didn't have a metric that fit.

[@bobthablder]

Dang, big boy! Im currently running into this issue on my '03. Was the open end of the wrench easier to get on it, or did the box end not fit?

[@bobthablder]

Im trying to avoid dropping the subframe, i can get a socket up there but cant tell the size.

[@MyHomeGarage]

@@bobthablder you can't fit a box end because it angles towards the frame. Not enough room on the bottom I tried. Stupid design lol.

[@GCS88]

Subframe main bolts (the long ones) are torqued 110nm "NM" not ft-lbs. its 81ft-lbs. + 90 degrees.

[@MyHomeGarage]

Your 100% correct. I will make the correction in the editing.

[@tiive8000]

I despise that inner bolt, Im going to have to remove it somehow this weekend and I swear to god if it comes to having to drop the subframe im gonna off myself