Front Shock Replacement
#31
Under the Lift
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Dr. Bob, I've seen a post of yours where you could leave the control arms in place. I attempted your way actually. I removed the liner and had the shock loose, but the control arms would not allow itself to lower enough to allow the shock to maneuver itself out. I loosened the sway bar bolts, but should I completely disconnect it? Will this allow the control arms to fall further down? Thanks!
Regardless I can't even get the tops of the stock shocks to clear shock tower walls. So, it appears my control arms don't sag far enough too. They really should not sag very much anyway as the bushings on the upper arm are fixed and the front bushing on the lower control arm is also fixed (bonded) unless it is broken.
#32
Hey guys. Great write up and info. I have to pull my front shocks so I can unseize the sleeve/collar adjusters. Sounds like it will be a lot easier than I anticipated.
Cheers
Cheers
#34
Nordschleife Master
I recently pulled front shocks on a near-OB with non-adjustable fronts. Almost ended up removing the upper and lower arms. Very tough to work through the triangle. Are those springs a bit wider? Sure seemed like it. A 1/4" would make a lot of difference.
#35
Glen, I think the pre-S4s had a narrower gap in the upper A-arm which explains why it is difficult/impossible to remove the strut thri=ough this gap. Hence requiring the removal of the upper a-arm as well. Maybe someone else more informed can advise further.
Cheers
Cheers
#36
There really is not all that much tension on the springs when fully extended not really a big concern. Just use two compressors and a bit of care and it is no problem. If you mount the shorter Eibachs there is no tension !
#37
I could not get the control arms to move down any further without uninstalling the lower control arm. Once removed I was able to move the arms down, and shock/spring out with some twisting. Used a breaker bar with extension to get the 19mm bolts off the "u" holders that keep the lower control arm connected to the frame of the car. Now I discovered that the po left some parts off of one side. Not very nice!
#38
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Looks like we will get to do shocks and springs on Kelanel's car in a couple weeks, in concert with a MM/OPG project. Maybe we'll have enough folks in place to get some decent pics or maybe even video with the car on the lift. The lower control arms will be disconnected at the bushing ends, so we should be able to get the fronts out without much addtional drama. Original non-adjustable Boge coming out, Koni/Eibach going back in.
#40
Thanks to the board and previous write ups, it really isn't that hard. I've got the left side assembled back on, waiting on the right side for parts needed (thanks Roger). The hardest part is getting the lower control arm back up to position to bolt back against the frame. If you got a small jack, may come handy to hold control arm up while you start the bolts. The second hardest part is lining up the shock against the control arm guides. Get some pry bars people.
Now that it is together, the other side should be a lil bit easier/quicker.
Now that it is together, the other side should be a lil bit easier/quicker.
#41
Really hoping there's a magic way to do this...
#42
the magic is to run the pin through the shock before you re-mount the rest of the lower arm. it's easier to lever the arm than the shock due to access/grip/size. disconnect the sway bar link also so you can run that through with the rest of it while it's all loose.
#44
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Location: Lafayette Indiana
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I just did all 4 of mine on my '84 and did the lower arm. Couldn't get one of the top nuts to budge. I replaced the shock stops with poly because the rubber ones crumbled in my hand. When I got to the rears I noticed the cv boots were all torn. WHAT A MESSY JOB but done. Oh and hind site 20/20 I had just rebuilt steering rack and motor mounts ; then did front shocks. All the upper A arm nuts were all exposed at that point. Dumb me, oh well. I to bought a set of sping compressors for this job. Was very caustious but fairly easy.
#45
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: West Chester, PA
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I just did all 4 of mine on my '84 and did the lower arm. Couldn't get one of the top nuts to budge. I replaced the shock stops with poly because the rubber ones crumbled in my hand. When I got to the rears I noticed the cv boots were all torn. WHAT A MESSY JOB but done. Oh and hind site 20/20 I had just rebuilt steering rack and motor mounts ; then did front shocks. All the upper A arm nuts were all exposed at that point. Dumb me, oh well. I to bought a set of sping compressors for this job. Was very caustious but fairly easy.