Hey guys,

So I've undertaken the job of doing my control arms. I bought the kit from FCP Groton and it will be arriving on tuesday.

I'm planning on following this DIY to do them: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel43.shtml

For those of you that have done this before, do you have any tips or words of advice?

Thanks

 

I haven't done this - yet. But I will say today or tomorrow PB blast every nut/bolt you'll be working on the day your CA's come in. It makes everything so much easier when they've been marinated at least 24 hours .

 

^ +1 and take for a spin.

 

Alright I will "marinate" all the bolts haha

 

lol marinate

 

Have a 4-lb sledgehammer and a map gas torch for the pinch bolts. Believe me, that'll make quick work of it. Have some drift pins too, for driving the mounting bolts out of the lower arm frame mounts. And a second set of hands will help tremendously.

 

Kroil or PB Blaster it a few times a day until you do it. When you get to it, torch the crap out of it, spray it down some more, and torch it some more, and spray it down some more. Then try to hammer it out. If that doesn't work, cut the bolt in both slits and try to get the outer pieces out by turning and then the inner piece out by hammering on something in the hole. If that fails, you will have to drill it out. Tungsten carbide bits (ones meant for metal, not masonry work) are best, else cobalt. Do it in 3 steps of increasing size. Go slow and take breaks. Use cutting fluid if you want it to go smoother.

 

So this pinch bolt means business? lol

 

Oh, and obviously, have new pinch bolts. I use the following from Boltdepot.com. They're zinc coated. The yellow or blue coatings would be even better. You can also buy from Fastenal.

Product #6759
Metric hex bolts, Metric standard bolts, Steel grade 10.9, 10mm x 1.5 x 100mm
Quantity: 2 pieces
Price: $1.37
Subtotal: $2.74

 

Does the FCP Groton kit not come with a new pinch bolt?