A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto makers » Audi
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Cabriolet Front Suspension



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 6th 05, 06:56 PM
DavidV
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Cabriolet Front Suspension

Help & Advice please. I have a 1995 "old type" Cabriolet - 2.6 V6. The
rubber bushes on the lower front suspension "wishbone" have completely
gone and must be replaced. Is this a DIY job ? On the face of it, it
looks fairly straightforward as the lower ball-joint can be unbolted
from the "wishbone" and the two inner bolts are reasonably accessible.
However, I can't tell how easy it is to get the bushes out and install
new - is it a job for a hydraulic press and specialist tools, or can
it be done with 50% common sense and 50% large hammer? Would it be
possible and/or easier to buy a new "wishbone" and bushes and just
replace the whole lot ? All advice gratefully recieved.
Cheers.
Ads
  #2  
Old March 6th 05, 09:34 PM
R@L
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"DavidV" > wrote in message
om...
> Help & Advice please. I have a 1995 "old type" Cabriolet - 2.6 V6. The
> rubber bushes on the lower front suspension "wishbone" have completely
> gone and must be replaced. Is this a DIY job ? On the face of it, it
> looks fairly straightforward as the lower ball-joint can be unbolted
> from the "wishbone" and the two inner bolts are reasonably accessible.
> However, I can't tell how easy it is to get the bushes out and install
> new - is it a job for a hydraulic press and specialist tools, or can
> it be done with 50% common sense and 50% large hammer? Would it be
> possible and/or easier to buy a new "wishbone" and bushes and just
> replace the whole lot ? All advice gratefully recieved.
> Cheers.


The latter is the easiest way to go.
What I did was go a freindly garage and ask them to presso the old ones out.
\The new ones can be hammered in.

Good luck!

Ronald


  #3  
Old March 6th 05, 11:07 PM
Ottar T
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On 6 Mar 2005 09:56:28 -0800, DavidV > wrote:

> Help & Advice please. I have a 1995 "old type" Cabriolet - 2.6 V6. The
> rubber bushes on the lower front suspension "wishbone" have completely
> gone and must be replaced. Is this a DIY job ? On the face of it, it
> looks fairly straightforward as the lower ball-joint can be unbolted
> from the "wishbone" and the two inner bolts are reasonably accessible.
> However, I can't tell how easy it is to get the bushes out and install
> new - is it a job for a hydraulic press and specialist tools, or can
> it be done with 50% common sense and 50% large hammer? Would it be
> possible and/or easier to buy a new "wishbone" and bushes and just
> replace the whole lot ? All advice gratefully recieved.
> Cheers.


Its possible to change the bushes, but will take some effort and a wice to
hold the wishbone when removing bushings and forcing the new ones in
place...
Dismantle the wishbone from the car first.


Remember to wait with torqing the two bolts till the car is standing on
the floor with wishbone in normal angle.
Otherwise your new bushings will need early replacemeent as the rubber/
metal will be under strain at standstill and not only when driving on
bumpy roads..

cheers

ottar t

--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/
  #4  
Old March 7th 05, 02:04 PM
R@L
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"R@L" > wrote in message
...
> "DavidV" > wrote in message
> om...
>> Help & Advice please. I have a 1995 "old type" Cabriolet - 2.6 V6. The
>> rubber bushes on the lower front suspension "wishbone" have completely
>> gone and must be replaced. Is this a DIY job ? On the face of it, it
>> looks fairly straightforward as the lower ball-joint can be unbolted
>> from the "wishbone" and the two inner bolts are reasonably accessible.
>> However, I can't tell how easy it is to get the bushes out and install
>> new - is it a job for a hydraulic press and specialist tools, or can
>> it be done with 50% common sense and 50% large hammer? Would it be
>> possible and/or easier to buy a new "wishbone" and bushes and just
>> replace the whole lot ? All advice gratefully recieved.
>> Cheers.

>
> The latter is the easiest way to go.
> What I did was go a freindly garage and ask them to presso the old ones
> out.
> \The new ones can be hammered in.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Ronald


Some things I forgot to mention:
-If you buy wishbones at a scrapyard, try the S2 ones made of solid
aluminium.
-If u use new/used ones you have to align your car with special tool for
camber,
otherwise alignment is not needed.

Ronald



>
>



  #5  
Old March 7th 05, 04:23 PM
DavidV
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks for the help and advice. Managed to do the job this morning.
For what it's worth for anyone else contemplating the same :
I got a new wishbone from "German French & Swedish" complete with
fitted bushes for just over £40.00. That's probably not much more than
the Audi dealer price for just the bushes, and saved a great deal of
time and effort. Big problem was removing the rear retaining bolt -
there seems to be a bit of front subframe in the way. Finally got it
out with the help of a hammer, and replaced it the other way round -
with the bolt on the inside and the nut on the outside. Added
advantage is that it's then possible to tighten with a proper ring
spanner. It's a bit of a fiddly job, but took about three hours
overall.
Cheers.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Front suspension "clunk" '94 Concorde Dave A. Chrysler 16 December 18th 04 04:59 PM
known weakness in A4, A6, Allroad front suspension arm? Julius Vindex Audi 2 August 23rd 04 06:17 PM
VW Passat Recall - Front suspension arm gbnews Audi 0 July 13th 04 09:33 PM
front suspension vibration John Tresadern Alfa Romeo 1 May 5th 04 08:14 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.