Audi A4/S4 Front Upper Control Arms Replacement - The Damn Pinch Bolt!!

If you have an Audi A4, A5, Q5 or some VW Passat's and other VAG group cars, you might just have this style of 4 link front suspension. While the handling characteristics of this setup are pretty good, the wear and repairability, well, not so much. I need to replace the two upper arms on both sides of my S4’s suspension. It has started to have small tracking issues, and inconsistent tracking too. On one road it will pull very gently left, and another it might pull slightly right. It also tram-lines quite hard now, where bumps and grooves in the road pull the car in their direction rather than the car staying on it’s own course. And a visual inspection reveals a fair bit of cracking and play in those bushings.
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At the wheel website: atthewheel.uk

[@DEE-nb5lq]

Spent 20hrs knocking and drilling both sides on my avant wish seen this before there was a 1cm of bolt left for both sides and now I have a saloon and guess what want to lower it and need to change the arms aswel oh the joys such great bit of engineering 😢

[@mars911red]

Well spoken and great job. This has been very helpful.

[@ilderaga]

have the perfect tool forthis problem watch my channel audi pinch bolt remover

[@RogerBaxterYWGNYC]

I only came for the "äl-you-min-yum", but I may now finally get over my procrastination and get on with installing the SPC adjustables (that have sat on the shelf for months) in my 2010 Avant. Great work!

[@Wayne.R]

I recently did this to my 2012 A7. The best method I found was to take the nut off, and spray it for days before frequently with plus gas. On the day of reckoning, I used plumbers gas to heat the bolt and ally up. A welder told me that aluminium will not be affected, by the heat of one these torches, as they won’t heat it to melting point. Then gradually begin to rotate the bolt head. Nothing crazy, just smooth gentle turns. Once it’s freely moving, then get a correct sized punch and prepare for battle. Firstly put the nut back on for a few turns, and hammer this. You’ll be throwing this away after. The bolt should begin to move out of the ally. Then once the thread end is flush with the aluminium hub, use the punch to continue hammering the bolt out. It will take a little while depending on how bad it is. My A7 had done 120k on original shocks, so I was fearful it wouldn’t work. But it was… Continue to heat the area, as it’ll expand the section and allow continued movement. Eventually the bolt will be out far enough, that you can get grips on it and pull the sod out. Now the key to it all, is when it comes to replacing with the new one. Whatever you do DO NOT APPLY ANY GREASE OF ANY KIND TO THE NEW PINCH BOLT. This will accelerate galvanic corrosion. Clean the hub slots with a round wire brush which fits through the holes and then slide the new bolt through. My car took me a day and a half to do all the suspension, including removal of the pinch bolts. The right tools will give you a fighting chance.

[@jamesjiang7850]

I can thoroughly understand every bit of your description and would have my first attempt on the pin bolt section.

[@mandeo10]

Try cutting the head of the bolt off and then remove the nut from the other end and put a couple of washers on the bolt. Replace the nut and tighten. This will normally draw the bolt out. Plenty of lube though. Good luck. 🚘

[@ratspam]

8:34 Awesome advice

[@joes.7536]

My pitch bolts were a pain in the butt the first time I took them out. When I reinstalled them I slathered them in anti seize and now they are easy to get out. I had to change my upper control arms about every 30,000 miles. I am lowered 3 inches in the front and they don’t like that

[@vocalone23]

Thanks for uploading👌🏾

[@paulkieffer1189]

Mine are super easy to replace. Southern California weather. Zero salt. Come right out. I change them every 30k religiously

[@Simon-qn5wm]

I once scrapped a 2002 A4 due to spending 2 solid days trying to get these bolts out.

[@dlwst44]

what did you do differently than they did here? Did you try it without a torch or power tools?

[@markdavies9765]

Apply Duralac to your new bolts its made for the job.

[@minodorstefan8146]

Did it make any noise while driving? My one is making a knocking noise while driving slow and braking, and when I'm doing 70mph and brake slowly I have a bit of vibration in the steering wheel.

[@nathanielrosillo7339]

Is this for b9?

[@hanksdinelli2480]

Hello ✋🏻, i need your advise please. My ride is Audi A4 2006 2.0L ... I had a complete set of control arms replaced today (total 10pcs), and being aligned afterwards, but unfortunately i experienced a very stiff steering wheel. Any clue ?

[@flyrock45]

How is the correct ride height measured?

[@SmokeyMcPot42087]

It is my understanding that you should not heat aluminium as it makes it become brittle.

[@mehavfigetwehmineed]

Do you have a link for the parts

[@LiveYourLifeeeeeeee]

I drilled on the aluminium, can I still use it, the whole is huge in the beginning

[@ilderaga]

have the perfect tool forthis problem watch my channel audi pinch bolt remover

[@seanjohnston9619]

What was the mileage at the time of the change?

[@DomX2008]

Nice job! Where did you get the MEYLE kit from? I've looked on ebay but can only find sellers in Germany for it? Thanks

[@JustGameEverything]

FCP Euro

[@DomX2008]

@@JustGameEverything if you’re in the states that would be fine! But looking for a UK Source.

[@kpuppy1]

If its coming with bolts just cut the head off and punch bolt out?

[@snapdragogon69]

Good look with that.

[@GG-eg6kn]

How do you get it at the correct ride height before torquing up?

[@ucan-far-cough3659]

Hey this video shows you where to mark the upper arm to get the right ride height!. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aom2h6SnetFmlaM @1.47

[@thefactswillom6942]

Before you jack the car up measure the centre of the hub to wheel arch. While the car is at it normal ride hight

[@mangasingh8050]

Easy way to use a grinder

[@casperknudsen7086]

Never use wd40.

[@foshizzlah]

I have tried to remove this bult two times, both times I ended up drilling it, also both times I ended up breaking the drill inside the bolt and had to buy new knuckle(in lack of a better word) =D

[@ilderaga]

have the perfect tool forthis problem watch my channel audi pinch bolt remover

[@donniedarko7891]

its a job of 5mins with the right way. And you dont need any special tool for. Rip off the screw and pull out the rest with washers with an impact wrench. edit: yes heat&vibrations is also a way but its a pain in da ass