Hi Guys,

I got the old axle out without touching the pinch bolt. I removed the shield on top of the inner joint, turn the wheel all the way, snap the old outer joint all the way, and the old axle came off from the wheel bearing hub.

Now the problem is to put the new one (EMPI) in. I cannot snap the new outer joint all the way because the boot is new. So I tried to follow the Bentley manual: (1) remove the pinch bolt (2) release upper front/rear control arm ends from the wheel bearing carrier (3) swing the carrier away from the suspension strut.

(1) was done easy - yes the bolt and nut came off from the steering knuckle. (2) does not go well. Any tricks on how to release the control arm ends from the steering knuckle? Just to make sure I am talking about the correct part, pics are attached indicating the parts.

 

"What is this?" part is the tie rod end. As for removing the control arms, a ball joint tool will do magic.

 

Thanks! Got the two upper arms out. But still I cannot plug the outer joint into the wheel bearing housing. Unfortunately the OEM part (EMPI) is longer than the old Audi genuine by ~0.5cm. And still there is not enough room to push the new OEM in. I need to swivel the wheel bearing carrier out further. What's the best way from here? To untie the front lower control arm?
Thanks,