Is it OK to install the lower strut bolt backwards? I'm fighting to get it back in and don't see the need to lower the sub frame if it can go in reverse of how it came out.

The only issue I see is that it might not clear the front control arm.... thoughts?

 

I just did this job a week ago on a 99 A6. You should be able to gently pry the rear lower control arm down enough to clear the bolt head. I used a long pry bar.

I just wouldnt put it in backwards. I am sure there is at least 1 good reason it's in the way it is.

Good Luck

 

Thanks, I actually just finished that up this morning. I just needed to crank the wheel all the way over and it slid right in. The reason I didn't do that before is that when I tried the free strut would bind against the axle boot..... bad. I slid the old bolt in from the front, then turned the wheel, and knocked the old one out by sliding in the new. Thanks though.