Audi A4 (B8) Knocking Front Suspension Part 1. Upper Control Arms Replacement

[@davesterl]

Find the items that are used on the Dave Sterl channel in the Amazon shop. www.amazon.co.uk/shop/davesterl

[@swordofthelord7104]

Is the 27mm separator in your amazon store? My existing one barely works

[@davesterl]

its part of a kit, there's a kit like it in the store

[@timparsons17]

I can't find this seperator in your store or anywhere else!

[@matthewcallnan8822]

There are tons of videos out there about that damn pinch bolt...this is the best I've seen so far!

[@Russell_Duncan]

I doubt that anyone could find a more comprehensive and technically correct version of this job. Well done Dave, absolutely first class. 👍

[@davesterl]

Cheers Russell, takes a pro to recognise

[@raystar362]

Now that's a handy tool

[@rogerdibbens4084]

Hi Dave! Just come across your channel. As an ex-college tutor and mechanic from years back, I'd just like to congratulate you on the construction, format and delivery of your content. Clear, concise, informative, details in all the right places, voiced with clarity - just the business. Super job! Thank you.

[@jackmillin]

One of the best tutorial videos I've ever seen on KZbin, I've been putting this job off on our A4 for 3 years now but I'm confident to tackle it now on the drive when the weather warms up. I'm going to measure that ball joint to see if it's an M12 or M14 before I order a kit. Thank you very much for making this video!

[@pnmbmw]

@Jack Millin how did you get on?

[@jackmillin]

@@pnmbmw I've got the arms now just waiting for a nice free weekend do them.

[@jackmillin]

@@pnmbmw did them all yesterday including the top mounts and it all went very smooth. These two videos were a fantastic help so thanks for the creator for them.

[@pnmbmw]

@@jackmillin how did you get the pinch bolts out? 👍

[@jackmillin]

@@pnmbmw exactly same as in the video plus a small amount of heat and penatration fluid.

[@aqa321]

Absolutely brilliant video! Thanks so much for taking the time to include all the steps and torque figures

[@Halffast719]

Crazy knocking. Sounds like a guitar. Your car should join a band.

[@md560]

Another great video Dave, and your comment about copper grease I hate seeing the stuff I banned it in my workshop years ago it has no place in a modern garage.

[@davesterl]

yep

[@vodonnell1]

Great to see you treating the customers car with respect not the all too often hammer the crap out of the part,looking forward to part 2.

[@125sm3]

Great video and some very good pointers on how to do certain parts. Roll on part 2.

[@mikeberry304]

So many guys dont like doing these Dave , many have broken the aluminium frame when removing the long bolt , easily snap as we all know , and then it's big bucks for the frame , you've just got to do the job correctly like you have shown everyone, great kit with plenty new bolts ,like the pull cord idea , I did the Old dipstick chalk method the other day on an Octavia, top Video ,looking forward to part 2 👍👍

[@davesterl]

aye Mike, i watched a few utubes on this. Most are like hammer house of horrors. The cords are part of my kit when i wana pull something tight, fisherman's knot. Aye, wee bit of chalk kicking about on the bench comes in handy

[@mikeberry304]

@@davesterl I am in a temporary unit at moment as the landlord has had the unit over the top of me sandblasted, originally just outside , then inside and all the crap has come through the gaps on the wooden floor , so I am in a smaller unit with a 4 post ramp in at the moment , couldn't read the oil level , knew it was near as I replaced the oil n filter , didn't want to walk up to mine and open up, so had a look round and found a gaviscon tablet , snapped it in half and wiped the dipstick with it 😂😂, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do , improvisation they say 👍😂💉

[@davesterl]

then ate it? lol

[@mikeberry304]

@@davesterl nar , it's on the bench in 2 halves ready for the next dipstick 😂😂😂👍👍👍

[@mikeberry304]

@@davesterl just to let you know Dave , just ordered some bits off your store 👍👍👍

[@ashwilliams4989]

To all those who are going to use the jackhammer along with the punch tool as in the video, I would like to inform you that this extension that is included in the punch tool kit has a larger diameter and sometimes has the tendency to lock into the aluminum knuckle (in place of the removed pinch bolt). Use caution. If the pinch bolt resists, it is worth using a small propane-butane gas torch (torch diameter less than 10mm). You only need to heat where the pinch bolt is in the knuckle, to a maximum temperature of 120-140 degrees Celsius. Shield the rubber covers of the upper control arm joints from heat radiation from a small gas burner with aluminum foil (shiny side out). Heating to higher temperatures makes no sense and is not good for the aluminum knuckle. I do not recommend using penetrating spray oils, as they only make it harder for the pinch bolt to slide out. The oil glues the oxidized aluminum together and turns it into a sticky paste. In addition, when heated with a torch, it can catch fire. One more note: connect the air hammer via a hose with a diameter of min. 10-12mm. Hoses with a smaller diameter do not allow the hammer to reach its maximum capacity. I would forget: Always in the pinch bolt fastening gaps, slide the kind of licks tightly so that during the work the hammer does not squeeze or expand this gap, along with the pink bolt movement.

[@SuperEthel]

wish i had of watched this video first..i broke the top corner off getting the pinch bolt out had to buy a new knuckle..then discovered after fitting one side is m12 and other side (new one) is m14 ball joint fitting i just hope it will aling up when i take it for tracking... Fantastic tutorial thanks for video

[@mechanicmatt871]

The pinch bolt tool work amazingly, I remember what a pain they can be. Cheers mate

[@davesterl]

Yeah Matt, worked great on both sides

[@mechanicmatt871]

The right tool for the job, I'll grab one from your store, cheers mate 👍

[@davesterl]

@@mechanicmatt871 it's a waste of time if you don't have good air supply and decent air hammer tho

[@kennedysgarage3281]

A very thorough part 1 Dave, I have never seen the pass through ratchet & sockets🤔 I must check out your store also, nothing like a real world man selling real world tools 🛠 👍

[@davesterl]

the kit is on amazon but i never put it in the store cos it's stupid money

[@kennedysgarage3281]

@@davesterl thank you Dave 👍

[@eldodos83]

Great job as always Dave, those meyle arms are the ticket

[@davesterl]

Yes they are

[@gordonwalton2066]

Well done!

[@ap5196]

Awesome Vid Dave, very thorough and informative. It gives me the will to do my own one day.

[@rahmatmohdyusop5497]

Very informative..Great job and thank you Mr Dave

[@shahzadmalik2655]

amazing video. makes me wait to list my audi for sale!

[@uhjk91]

Great work. At 28:14 Great tip about getting the upper control arms in the correct position by doing them one at a time. But what is someone has already been in there and messed up the position of the control arms - how can you double check if the control arms are in the correct position; how do they do it in the factory. Thanks

[@robertdoane5875]

I just did my upper and lower control arms.I took an old screwdriver and opened the two gaps on the upper control arm to loosen bolts until i could remove bolt b

[@bittidude]

Wow I realy need to get me one of those air driven hammer tools, Ive taken out 5 of those bolts from hell. And I really hate it, first time I wanted to meet the engineer team that came up with the idea so I could kick the whole teams arse

[@zaftra]

loads of great advise in that one.

[@robertdoane5875]

I took an old screwdriver and opened up the two gaps at the spindle and removed the bolt by tapping bolt out by installing nut back on and hitting with hammer.Then used punch to get it out the rest of the way.

[@leonardtaggart]

Great job Davy. I'll have to get one of the pinch bolt removal tools for work on my Passats👍.

[@davesterl]

Works great as demonstrated. Both pinch bolts removed in a couple of minutes. However, need a good air supply and decent air hammer

[@leonardtaggart]

@@davesterl I've a 100litre twin piston compressor that should do the job.....just need an air hammer.

[@davesterl]

@@leonardtaggart reservoir capacity is not that relevant. There's a decent air hammer on the amazon store

[@leonardtaggart]

@@davesterl Davy the CFM of the compressor is 8.8 with 12.6 max so it should be fine.

[@davesterl]

yeah well displacement CFM refers to the ability of the pump to draw air not the ability to run a tool. CFM FAD is what is actually delivered gives a better idea. Pressure wise, typical 100L twin piston rigs max at 116psi static. I run mine about 130psi static giving about 90 odds dynamic at the tool with a 3/4 line from the tank to the regulator and then 3/8 or 1/2 to the tool depending on what i need all with High flow fittings. Powerful air tools need air and lots of it otherwise can be disappointing

[@Automotive_Solutions]

A bowline, let's see how many can tie that without looking it up 😜. Great video as always. I also use the Meyle HD stuff. It's top notch. 👍

[@iansworkshop]

Enjoyed that Dave , looking forward to part two 👍

[@TeamAtterz]

Thank you for this Dave, subbed.

[@williamwicklow5192]

Well done Dave another great video a lot of information 👏👍

[@davesterl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@trevormansfield6740]

I might try those kits. I’ve been ordering the bolts separately 👍

[@kitcht]

Great video. Love the intro shots.

[@davesterl]

Glad you liked it!

[@CarsExposed]

Awesome video Dave as always packed with information, I only worked once in those Audi suspensions the other day and let's say I'm glad you put this video cheers mate 👍

[@davesterl]

Yeah Igor, i try to cram as much info into it as i can think of, Sometimes ends up too long though

[@mobilrz]

Great job Dave. I've done this on all my Audi's and that pinch bolt never gets any easier. The air hammer makes light work of it. Interesting regards the pinch bolt tool from Neilsen. Klann also make an extractor but very expensive. Swear by Meyle HD parts, quality stuff.

[@davesterl]

Klann, Gedore, Wurth etc... My labour charge for the whole job was the price of one of those tools

[@mobilrz]

@@davesterl Indeed, quality kit and all that. Looking forward to part 2.

[@joper90]

Did this recently, airhammer is the key + lots of heat

[@chrisrobinson-jones8677]

Absolute genius

[@conversationovercoffee]

What the hell man... At 7:07 that's a whole different control arm and knuckle for a different vehicle. The head of the bold is on the right side and not the left, the gap to separate the pinch is in the front and not the back like the beginning of the video.

[@davesterl]

@@conversationovercoffee as stated in the video, it's the other side

[@mathewgloverify]

Perhaps a silly question could you load up the suspension with a jack then torque the bolts?

[@revengex5163]

Good video , i have a same problem for my A4 B8

[@jamest5149]

Glad you keep saying ‘don’t not put copper slip anywhere near Aluminum’… it causes galling of threads and galvanic corrosion. Use ceramic, nickle or Aluminum paste only!

[@kenkan8166]

Great video 📹 👍🏻

[@drnyer]

The tightening specs for the upper control arms are a bit unusual. You've mentioned that one should be torquing the nuts which makes sense, but the manual page at 41:23 seems to indicate that it's the *bolts* what should be torqued (Items 6 and 12 on the diagram). Am I reading this right? And thank you, Dave, for this super informative video!!

[@davesterl]

Yes, Audi say that as per their procedure to change the upper control arms you cannot get at the nut

[@william54210]

Hi Dave good job as usual what is the make of the ball joint splitter you used did not find it in your Amazon shop

[@kenkan8166]

With regards to the exploded diagram at the end of the video, are you able to help and point me in the right direction. I need a exploded diagram for the n/s/r area where the aux cooler, secondary air pump and coolant lines are located. Bought a damaged rs4 b8 and am a little lost.

[@simonsherwood7169]

Love the tips an tricks

[@davesterl]

cheers simon

[@mt9230]

How much will be the cost for this type of job (replacement suspension arm strut)? Thanks

[@TheGibby3340]

Fair bit of labour involved, some dosh in parts too I am guessing. Cheers Dave 👍

[@davesterl]

Aye ian doing both sides at the same time does take a wee while. Quality parts and labour, yes a few quid

[@thabanggerald7750]

Simple the best!

[@mickus981]

Hi Dave Great Video do you have the link for the parts just what i need same car having a few issues with my a4 b8 sline 2010 143 2l tdi thankyou

[@frankw9836]

Failed MOT because of the upper arm, the mechanic told me I should change both arms.true ?

[@the_retired_mechanic]

2 thumbs down at time of writing??? What's wrong with these people? what is not to like about this video?

[@ainuddinmajid8230]

Hello sir if mine only one side feeling not good can change only one sid only

[@a_tree_stump]

Which compressor do you recommend for the air hammer?

[@jackhurstcroydon6587]

where did you get the MEYLE kit from mate?

[@pavelsbistrovs1739]

What name is this electric tool?? Thanks

[@NA-qd3oo]

hi i got to vibraition from front of car when i drive more like 60mile, i going tommorow to garage about it, it can be thesame problem?

[@simonrawle7885]

i wish all new control arms came with new bolts . just looked at one yesterday and it snapped

[@revengex5163]

Second part !!!!! 👍

[@carlos_sacalul]

Hi,meyle or lemforder for a4 b8.5 allroad 2014. What's your oppinion? Cheers

[@pavelsbistrovs1739]

Tell me please how calling that electric tool?? Thank You

[@nsoper19]

can you use an SDS drill instead of an air hammer?

[@Сергей-м3о9м]

А чего нельзя если он бетон крошит ну это как правило не работает в основном откручивают шляпу болта и гайкой с длинной резьбой подлаживая гайки вытягивают если надо греют

[@a_tree_stump]

Did you seriously get that pinch bolt out both sides with this tool?

[@williamsquinteros8450]

Why do you remove all the suspension only for change that arms? i was replace it and only remove the tire....

[@davesterl]

I did not only change the arms. I explain in the video

[@Mattmazz77]

Technically you can set up the upper control arms like that, But you really shouldn't because the old was stretched out also you don't know if the 1's where definitely setup right when they were installed or someone could have taking them apart and not adjusted them right. So really you want to put in on the car and put it under the full load position and then tighten them up. Just saying, the proper way according to the book..lol.

[@davesterl]

There are a number of ways of doing this as stated many times in the video. Im happy these arms are not touched as stated in the video and in satisfactory condition it can tell me the ride height. As with everything you do whatever makes you happy

[@Mattmazz77]

@@davesterl I wasn't trying to be disrespectful I was just trying to add on to what you were doing and saying, maybe it was something you didn't think of or someone else who's watching and needs to replace the same parts. It's always good to have as much info as possible. I still watch videos like this even though I know how to and have done it multiple times bc maybe someone which show something helpful that I haven't thought of. I always tell anyone who is new in the mechanical trade and or hobby to research research research as much as possible.

[@davesterl]

that's fine, as i'm sure you realise i get a lot of comments on this channel of people offering alternatives or think they know better. I cannot and do not cover every aspect in one video however i clearly state in the video the arms are normally tightened at ride height with the weight on the car but this is another method.(11:00) When you say 'maybe it was something you didn't think of', i can only deduce you missed that in the video. Again, these arms are in satisfactory condition to tell me the ride height. As you say, it is good to highlight this

[@Mattmazz77]

@@davesterl I can imagine the bs comments that you get from so called know it alls who don't really know what they are talking about. I'm sure that it's very annoying, that's why I replied back just so you know that was definitely not my intention. Keep up the great work.

[@the_retired_mechanic]

Was that big nasty first venture out of the box?

[@davesterl]

No, that's a .401 bit. Don't think Big Nasty will like aluminium

[@colinreid7305]

Unfortunately many people resort to incorrect procedures when working on steering and suspension components causing expense for the customer

[@carltonholmes8061]

I might hear the knocking if there wasn’t music on the vid 🤔🤔

[@davesterl]

Do you not know what knocking sounds like

[@carltonholmes8061]

@@davesterl mine is more of a creak on my Q5 2015 but i think the problems are the same on A4 which Q5 is based on? slow turning creak/knock whilst decelerating over bumps or in corners when weight is transferred to the front. ?🤔

[@cristiancastellari8057]

Fatto anche io cambiati tutto

[@cristiancastellari8057]

Bisogna lavorare 4 giorni cambiarli tutti😊

[@rhamsesdelgado6256]

shouldve not put the music in the beggining

[@davesterl]

Oh really, i love it

[@MewTube-o4l]

wow i can barely understand you soirry haha

[@davesterl]

@@MewTube-o4l I can't understand your spelling