How to Replace Front Upper Control Arms 02-09 Audi A4

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@robertkelly3028]

This video is amazing! I did the repair on my own step by step with the video, except I had to use a torch to get the pinch bold out, and a C-clamp to assist with putting the control arm ends back in the steering knuckle.

[@gentianramadani1472]

Hi! it’s very good video step by step I like it so much it is very helpful, but I didn’t understand yet why did you mesure it from the min 1.33 -1:48? what do I need this measure? thanks.

[@guyfrancis6883]

Excellent video. All straight forward and no music. Can I recommend that the torque settings be read out in both ft/pounds and Nm. 1A Auto was my go to for parts and instructions when I lived in USA (Colorado) and bought a GMC Yukon XL (golden barge). Now I'm back in Australia and bought my son an Audi A4 2008. This job awaits. Thanks again GF Wollongong

[@KingZoneOne]

I would highly recommend using the updated version of those pinch bolts. The new version is slightly narrower in the center (like a bowling pin) to prevent it from seizing inside of the steering knuckle. Part #WHT007963. You can get them at FCP Euro, ECS, I think a dealership, etc.

[@leradze7125]

had to drill mine out, installed a new one with tons of Anti sieze

[@margaritammelendez5971]

Thank You for covering this model Audi. Info HAD been hard to come by.

[@1deadly187]

Always use a torque wrench on the nut NOT the bolt.

[@rcbragg1]

Thanks for posting. I did this to my A6 Quattro over the weekend I thought the use of wrenches to pry out bolts was very useful. Unfortunately both of my pinch bolts were seized up and had to use every method possible to get them free (added a day to my job). After that it was much easier and ...success!

[@1AAuto]

+Richard Bragg Thanks for watching. If any of our viewers needs to make this repair, we carry the auto repair part shown in this video on our website. Here is a link to them www.1aauto.com/audi-a4-rs4-s4-control-arm-with-ball-joint/i/1asfk00852?KZbin&CTA+Comment&PqUr1aIfuFo

[@gkwillmott]

Excellent video ... just wish I had seen this "before" attempting to get that damn pinch bolt out. Ended up shearing it off. Then what I hassle. Ended up ruining the wheel bearing housing itself, fortunately the used one I got already had a pressed bearing. All this and all I was looking to do was replace the strut ... live and learn.

[@ianyates7197]

If you live anywhere remotely damp or they spray salt on the roads the pinch bold is a pain in the butt. Best DIY method of removal is to snap of the head of the both, heat, and then use a combination of washers and oversized bolts to draw the bolt out by tightening the original nut. Do this as far as you can then bash it out with drift. Expect bashed knuckles and an sore back the next day... The rest is easy haha

[@new2boost596]

I did this last weekend. yours came apart like nothing compared to mine. i had to heat the middle part where the pinch bolt goes thru to get it free.The nut came off really easy though. haha. I'm the first person to ever take it apart i think. 15 years of salted roads inst nice to that stuff

[@jbird60]

Awesome step-by-step on this! A question though: I just completed this upper control arm replacement on my car and I've noticed that the rearward arm's pin is moving up and down a few millimeters within the spindle, even with the pinch bolt torqued properly. It's introduced quite a bit of caster play in the suspension. Once the car's on the ground, it's making a noticeable clunk during steering as well as during weight transfer. Could this indicate a worn spindle?

[@Billy97ify]

Definitely, you need to replace the part right away. It is unsafe.

[@aorsin]

Just did this and found that you seem to have done the same thing when replacing the control arm bolts. you put the bolts with the nuts facing the strut which makes the strut removal necessary. if you put the nuts facing the outside the next time this needs to come out you only need to remove the control arm. mine had one bolt facing out the other facing in. What a pain to remove.

[@TheShakir98]

Thanks, you guys are always helpful

[@patrickmcgreevy1526]

did it in 20 mins no call to remove strut, loosen retaining bolt until it hits the inner guard cut the bolt with the angle grinder it drop out then replace the bolt from the spring side and tighten.

[@KingZoneOne]

Both bolts need to be torqued to a specific amount, and you cannot do that with the assembly installed because the torque wrench won't fit.

[@3kkk514]

After installing this , do you need a front wheel alignment?

[@1AAuto]

+3K Yes, an alignment would need to be done to ensure it is able to work properly.

[@VENUEATHENS]

Hi do the upper control arms regulate ride height? if they are not positioned the same on both sides one side of the car might be higher than the other? thank you!

[@tonyhowell32]

Super Video - I have a rattle which is very intermittent on the right side and is now only noticeable as I have done my "13" subframe bushes - when I move my front top link by hand I can feel a edge - but wonder if this is causeing the rattle? there is no play in anything else- mine has done 160K miles and they look original

[@desimirkusic3295]

Hi there. What are the issues or symptoms that worn out control arms could cause? Thx.

[@EJR20]

Would I need to get an alignment after replacing upper control arms on an Audi A4 b8; replacing reason being bushing wear & not hitting a curb or a potholes.

[@1AAuto]

+Edgar Jasson Yes, an alignment would need to be done after replacing any suspension parts.

[@jeremyjames3916]

if top bolt siezed or snaps . . with bolt head remooved use spacing washers on threaded end and tighten nut to pull remaining bolt out the other side cutting off excess length as you go . .

[@geraldgonzalez8328]

Will the upper control arm be the cause of 2013 Audi A4 making a hard clicking knocking noise in the front driver side ???

[@davidmorgan2146]

If you snap the pinch bolt try and draw it out using the nut, and washers/spacers. If all else fails ECS Tuning makes a drillout kit that works well. Takes about 2-3hrs a side though...

[@1AAuto]

+David Morgan Thank you for the suggestions! 1aauto.com

[@Silvest3r]

Buy wd40 and use it plenty around problem bolts before disassembly, treatment 2-4times and couple days, at dissassembly work , dont use powertools,thry usually cause bolt to snap,use only hand tools and twist the bolt rapidly both ways to make heat and to get the wd oil on the move. This method has helped many times.

[@sallymcmillan9189]

Excellent and informant video very accurate and helped us a hole lot ...Than you!!

[@1AAuto]

+Sally McMillan Thanks for watching. If any of our viewers needs to make this repair, we carry the auto repair part shown in this video on our website. Here is a link to them www.1aauto.com/audi-a4-rs4-s4-control-arm-with-ball-joint/i/1asfk00852?KZbin&CTA+Comment&PqUr1aIfuFo

[@squirmsshed5343]

this is what iam going to be this morning , great help thank you

[@1AAuto]

+squirms shed Thank you for watching! We hope that your replacement goes smooth and easy. 1aauto.com

[@squirmsshed5343]

helped loads thank you

[@growingknowledge]

Fantastic video, very clear, all the info. needed - Well done !

[@1AAuto]

+growingknowledge Thanks for watching. If any of our viewers needs to make this repair, we carry the auto repair part shown in this video on our website. Here is a link to them www.1aauto.com/audi-a4-rs4-s4-control-arm-with-ball-joint/i/1asfk00852?KZbin&CTA+Comment&PqUr1aIfuFo

[@kimpdavid]

what if i destroyed the pinch bolt? which was hard to remove?

[@eckopoppin]

Hello, bought an entire front control arm replacement..which control arm should I start with first to make my life easier, or does it not really matter? Thanks!

[@1AAuto]

+eckopoppin Normally it doesn't matter!

[@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 ?

[@1AAuto]

+Hanks Dinelli We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@cadejo33]

👏👏👏 the best video on KZbin

[@1AAuto]

+jairo chacon Thanks for watching. We hope that this has helped you out. If any of our viewers needs to make this repair, we carry the replacement part shown in this video on our website. Here's a link to them. www.1aauto.com/audi-a4-rs4-s4-control-arm-with-ball-joint/i/1asfk00852?KZbin&CTA%20Comment&ATony

[@richie0366]

Do you have part number for pinch bolt??

[@1AAuto]

+Richie 03 We do apologize but we do not.

[@ashwilliams4989]

Genuine Volkswagen & Audi Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt M10x105x26 Mfg number: N10576802 cost ~$4;plus Washer 20x10,5x2 number: N10406105 cost circa $1plus Hexagonal Collar Nut Self-Locking number: N10272302 cost: $2.5

[@vikkleo]

Like I wrote before perfect for a diyer very helpful thanks again

[@lakytechenterprises]

Very good video. Thanks

[@1AAuto]

+MINIPARTS.CYPRUS Lakytech Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@V10PDTDI]

Great job but you got lucky that the upper control arm bolt was fairly easy to remove

[@williecoprico6799]

What would be considered a reasonable number of hours of labor for this job?

[@Bakanelli]

90% of work depends on the pinch bolt

[@andyyarnell7579]

I think you are supposed to put the weight of the vehicle on the new arms before torquing down the bushing bolts. The way you show it being torqued on the bench is going to lead to premature bushing failure.

[@GeoffInfield]

Nah, Audi insist on torquing with the arms at a precise angle out of the car, hence his marking the position of the old arms. For my RS4 (and I suspect ALL A4s), the top of the ball joint end of the front-most arm must be 81mm +/-2mm below a line extending across the flat top of the spring perch, the rearward one 70mm +/- 2mm. They stress that getting this wrong will result in premature wear but in all likelihood it's designed to match the ride height so perhaps on a perfectly flat floor the two methods are the same :)

[@KingZoneOne]

I've heard that before, but think about it. A torque wrench with a socket won't fit in there if the unit is already installed... right? So they can only be torqued while out. Those bushings aren't exactly like the struts lower mount bushing which does and can be torqued under load. The cars load isn't transferred in the same way, so they aren't affected the same way.

[@KingZoneOne]

You are 100% correct. It's more precise to measure with a straight edge and caliper, get those angles correct, then bench torque. A torque wrench and socket won't fit once the unit is installed.

[@jpayton680]

How much should it cost

[@اميرالصحراء-ص5ذ]

Explain the wonderful thank you very much👏🖒

[@radmansa5514]

Great videos!!!!

[@Carlostype]

great info and video

[@chrisbiker4702]

There are washers on the strut bolts that need to be put back on, don't lose them lol

[@vishnuvardhan2232]

Does it really take 4 1/2 hrs to change the both upper control arm bushings on an Audi? I got a ridiculous quote for labor on this job.

[@AccessGranted95]

If you can do it yourself, buy the parts online.

[@bawjawmcgraw2232]

Vishnu Reddy that upper pinch bolt can be a real nightmare...9/10 times they snap and need drilled out...they hardly ever come out as easy as this one did...

[@Billy97ify]

I had some pinch bolts that were totally rusted in. I twisted back and forth on the bolt head to loosen the head end in the hole and then twisted the head off. Then I used the nut to draw the remains of the bolt out, adding washers and spacers as required. If you try to drive the bolt out it mushrooms and gets tighter. Drawing the bolt out with the nut stretches it and makes it slightly thinner and looser. It worked for me on both sides of the car.

[@whocares-ss1kf]

Billy97 j

[@kreetins]

Took me two hours of hammering, penetrating fluid and very careful twisting to get the pinch bolt out. I used a block of wood between the bolt and hammer so i dont mushroom the bolt. I also had an impact but my bolt was put in from the other side so i couldnt get my impact on it. This was on a 1998 A4 so that bolt had been there for 20 years and they salt the roads where i live..

[@951Jah]

I understand you have to measure the location with of the front arms, but what if you are replacing your springs with lowering springs?

[@1AAuto]

+951Jah This video is specific to OEM replacements, lowering the vehicle may require additional steps. 1aauto.com

[@niteblaster1]

you don't need to use the Spanners until it's out of the thread

[@TheRebuilt1]

what about just replacing the bushings instead replacing the whole control arms??

[@1AAuto]

+TheRebuilt1 Thank you for watching. You may certainly replace just the bushings, however in some cases it may be easier to replace the entire arm. We do not have a video available at this time, but will forward it along to our studio to have reviewed. 1aauto.com

[@johnb4981]

All very well but the pinch bolt on mine has snapped both ends and snapped the hub carrier dispite having been heated to cherry red.The bolts still in there.Ive now got to buy a new hub carrier.Shit design that ive had the mispleasure of changing before

[@NetWibe]

After watching videos on KZbin that pinch bolt is no no for me.I know my luck and it will take 3 days to push it out. I will order bushings and try to replace them with bushing removal tool directly on the car.

[@NetWibe]

Finished today, first bushing took 30 min to push out and 5-10 min. to put a new one. When I figured out how to do it , second one 1-2 min out 1-2 min in. It was on Q5 2011

[@MrGilly]

same.. i used a breaker bar to turn it and it feels like only the head is turning O_O. I'm happy i came across all these videos talking about this horror pinch bolt. I'm going to make sure to spray penetrating oil on it twice a day for the next few days, and go ahead and buy a brand new pinch bolt (somebody posted the article numbers in these comments)! wish me luck :)

[@pedrocontrerasavendano8578]

@@NetWibe did you replace oy the bushings? What about the ball joints?

[@MrOsman1967]

Metalfree grease is the solution.

[@danielgrace7408]

nice

[@danielgrace7408]

you can also use a floor jack and jack stand if you don't have a car lift

[@Tank676_YT]

Awesome

[@JTREX80]

How is it possible that the dealer would try to charge me $4200 for this?

[@napper1496]

Arm positions aren't 100% correct imo

[@AUDIO2AUTO]

Horrible design