how hard was it to get the front clip off?
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
how hard was it to get the front clip off?
on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being hardest)
how difficult is it to remove the front bumber, and everything associated with it to get to say the alternator/timing belt/ etc?
I have yet to do it, and consider myself mechanically inclined... in pics it seems difficult, but like most anything, im sure once you do it, takes the fear away?!?!?!?! I hope [&:]
how difficult is it to remove the front bumber, and everything associated with it to get to say the alternator/timing belt/ etc?
I have yet to do it, and consider myself mechanically inclined... in pics it seems difficult, but like most anything, im sure once you do it, takes the fear away?!?!?!?! I hope [&:]
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,980
From: Northern California
RE: how hard was it to get the front clip off?
Are you doing timing belt? If so I recommend that you either get it done by a qualified mechanic with necessary Audi specific tools, or buy or rent tools needed for the job. www.ecstuning.com sells a kit with most of the tools needed, or you can rent a set from www.blauparts.com.
On my ATQ2.8, I did the timing belt with a buddy, who is a certified Audi mechanic at a dealer shop, with all the necessary tools. Given that we were consuming adult beverages and goofing off, but it still took us about 5 hours or so. And I was amazed at all the tools need to "properly" replace the timing belt, such as crank lock, cam lock, cam gear puller and etc. And that is assuming that you have typical torx bits, allen heads, torque wrench and miscellaneous tools. Also my buddy had a vacuum tool for filling the antifreeze without bleeding, which I thought was cool.
There are articles on the web that shows the timing belt replacement without all the proper tools, but given the sophisticated timing issues related to these motors, I really recommend that you at least get a set of proper tools. Also a manual is a must. I say it is definitely doable, if you can follow directions and mechanically inclined, with proper tools.
On my ATQ2.8, I did the timing belt with a buddy, who is a certified Audi mechanic at a dealer shop, with all the necessary tools. Given that we were consuming adult beverages and goofing off, but it still took us about 5 hours or so. And I was amazed at all the tools need to "properly" replace the timing belt, such as crank lock, cam lock, cam gear puller and etc. And that is assuming that you have typical torx bits, allen heads, torque wrench and miscellaneous tools. Also my buddy had a vacuum tool for filling the antifreeze without bleeding, which I thought was cool.
There are articles on the web that shows the timing belt replacement without all the proper tools, but given the sophisticated timing issues related to these motors, I really recommend that you at least get a set of proper tools. Also a manual is a must. I say it is definitely doable, if you can follow directions and mechanically inclined, with proper tools.
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 80
RE: how hard was it to get the front clip off?
Thanks for the heads up guys,I'll definately take the advise on renting what I dont have. I'm gonna roll the dice, and do the timing belt myself though. I've done alot of work to all my cars in the past (engine rebuild, tranny swap, usual alternator, starter etc. and even some body work)... Once you get past having to remove the front half of the car, its just like any other car. American, Japanese, German, they ALL use the same components, and tie them all in toghether the same way... heck even work the same way. I just need a littlebrain juice when i do it (AKA beer). I just think its retarded that Audi designed it so you have to take the front clip off.... what was wrong with giving you 8 inches of free space to work on[&:]?
I got about 30K before the timing belt, but you never know when something else will go wrong... which was the reason for my question. I saw the write ups on removing the front clip... not a biggie, i just think the pics look scary with having a car's front end taken off. Heck im not even going to replace the water pump when i do the timing belt.... I had an 88 oldsmobile, and an 83 buick that went 160K+ with the original water pump... dont tell me an american part built in the 80's will outlive a German part built in the late 90's. That would be surprising to hear on this forum
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I was just picking the do-it-yourselfers brains on their opinion
I got about 30K before the timing belt, but you never know when something else will go wrong... which was the reason for my question. I saw the write ups on removing the front clip... not a biggie, i just think the pics look scary with having a car's front end taken off. Heck im not even going to replace the water pump when i do the timing belt.... I had an 88 oldsmobile, and an 83 buick that went 160K+ with the original water pump... dont tell me an american part built in the 80's will outlive a German part built in the late 90's. That would be surprising to hear on this forum
. I was just picking the do-it-yourselfers brains on their opinion
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,980
From: Northern California
RE: how hard was it to get the front clip off?
I really recommend that you replace water pump and thermostat when you are replacing the timing belt. It is mere few bolts to remove once you have the belt removed. Same thing with the thermostat... It is notorious for late 90 German water pumps to disintegrate after 80 to 100K. Considering you will be spending all of your time removing the front, I really think you should replace the pump and the thermostat. Most of the kits you buy already come with one anyways. As for things to watch out for: (this was for my 2.8L ATQ)
1. When you temporarily remove the reservoir, make sure you are careful with the T-plastic fitting. Mine broke when I bent the return hose, and my buddy had to pull one off of his customer's car.
2. Be sure to lock the crank with the crank pin after you place the cam lock.
3. Loosen cam gears for pretensioning of the new timining belt. Be sure to torque the tensioner correctly. If you are maticulous, aka **** like me, it is a good time to replace the tensioner and all the rollers. You can buy a kit with all the goodies.
4. Although it might be a good time to replace the cam seals, I didn't. You can later replace them from the top if needed.
5. Some say it may be beneficial to replace the crank seal. My buddy tells me 2.8 ATQs are somethat notorious for creating trouble when you pull the crank pully out. Key set inside the pulley tends to get damaged and it is just a pain. So I just left mine alone.
Well have fun.
1. When you temporarily remove the reservoir, make sure you are careful with the T-plastic fitting. Mine broke when I bent the return hose, and my buddy had to pull one off of his customer's car.
2. Be sure to lock the crank with the crank pin after you place the cam lock.
3. Loosen cam gears for pretensioning of the new timining belt. Be sure to torque the tensioner correctly. If you are maticulous, aka **** like me, it is a good time to replace the tensioner and all the rollers. You can buy a kit with all the goodies.
4. Although it might be a good time to replace the cam seals, I didn't. You can later replace them from the top if needed.
5. Some say it may be beneficial to replace the crank seal. My buddy tells me 2.8 ATQs are somethat notorious for creating trouble when you pull the crank pully out. Key set inside the pulley tends to get damaged and it is just a pain. So I just left mine alone.
Well have fun.
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