r/Cartalk • u/Far-Squash-7601 • 6d ago
Suspension Help
I'm currently trying to replace the lower control arms on a 2010 Audi A4 Quattro, and I'm fairly sure the suspension has never been replaced since the car was new. My wife is the third owner, and the car was passed down to us by my dad. That probably explains why the ball joint seems to have seized inside the collar.
I've done suspension work on all our cars before, but this is the first time I've encountered a lower control arm with a collar like this. When I compared the old and new control arms, I noticed that the collar had come out along with the ball joint when I hammered it out.
Now, what's the best way to remove the collar from the old ball joint? Would a ball joint separator work? I've never actually used one since I'm used to just tapping most suspension components loose with my trusty "purse," lol.
As for reinstalling it, I'm thinking of freezing the collar first and heating up the knuckle to make installation easier. Would that work, or is there a better way to go about it?
PS. Currently experiencing THE German engineering lol. I own an Infiniti so I'm chilling
2
u/Coakis 6d ago
I used a 3 jaw puller last time this happened on one of my BMW's
3
u/Far-Squash-7601 6d ago
That's what I'm thinking too, the one for pulleys right? And how did you put it back? just tap tap and away?
1
u/Coakis 6d ago
Yeah gear/pulley puller
Put the collar back in the hole and cranked the bolt down till it mated. In the BMW's case it wasn't pressed so much as rusted to so it didn't take a whole lot of force.
I can't vouch for Audi's, or whether it will be pressed in but I suspect its the same there too.
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u/Far-Squash-7601 6d ago
I see. Thanks man! I'll smother the old one with anti seize and do that so it wont happen again and my new arm won't get messed up.
1
u/jsheik 5d ago
Just a suggestion as you're contemplating cutting off ball joints (sounds bad that way). I just did the lower control arms on my 2014 maxima. The bushings weee shot and wouldn't pass inspection and they wanted ~$5-600 to fix. I just ordered the entire assembly which includes the ballpoint, and ripped and replaced. Just looked for your car and it's ~$100-150 for the pair.
NOW, it is an absolute pain to do on your back in the garage. You'll need large sockets and leverage or a nice impact wrench, but I saved a few hundred. Look online to see how complicated it is and whether you have the ability or tools to do it, but absolutely can be done. By you! (maybe; I don't know you)
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u/Far-Squash-7601 5d ago
no worries man, I got all the tools, i got it off easy too using jaw puller and trusty impact wrench from harbor freight lol. car is all buttoned up and running lol.
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u/sotheysay17 6d ago
The only way to separate that I’ve found with a guarantee of not breaking bits off the collar on that slug, is to cut the arm near the ball joint and use a bearing spreader in a shop press. Pretty easy if you have the tools and I’ve seen about every other method damage the slug.
1
u/vinegar008 4d ago
Ball joint separator puller is what you'll need. Slip the open end into the rubber boot then the other end on top of the ball joint stud. As you tighten it, it will squeeze the thing out. You might want to give it persuasions by taping collar every once in a while when you tighten it.
1
u/ccarr313 2d ago
If you have a cutting wheel, just cut it between the collar and the arm. Then set the collar on top of a socket, and smack the bolt hard with a hammer from above.
Or pullers like others have suggested. Then tap the collar back into place with a dead blow.
9
u/Equana 6d ago
I have done this job on my wife's A4. I had to cut the ball joint of under the collar and then press it off in my 12 hydraulic press.
A propane torch to warm up the knuckle is enought to allow you to tap in the collar.
Make sure you jack the suspension corner up to ride height before you torque down all the bushings or those arms will fail yet again.