How to change Front Control Arms on Audi A6 Quattro

1.
You will need a breaker bar with 17mm or 5/8 hex to loosen the axle bolt. Extension might be needed as the axle bolt is extremely tight.
2.
The wheel should be on the ground when loosening the axle bolt.
3.
Next remove the wheel and jack up the car. You will need a jack stand as you will need the jack later to lift up the suspension with the car supported by the jack stand.
4.
Wheels removed. Let the fun begin... First, You will need to have the break calipers/ rotors removed (check my ehow article on those if not sure)
5.
With the caliper, and rotor removed.
6.
In order to remove the wheel bearing housing, the upper control arm heads must be removed. Start by removing the pinch bolt, which is notorious for getting stuck. I sprayed some penetrating oil and mine came out without a problem.
7.
Removing the upper control arms will require penetrating oil, and pickle fork to hammer it out. In my case, I had recently replaced it so it came out with a tap from my mallet.
8.
Remove the Tie rod end and the upper part of the wheel bearing housing is free.(See my ehow article on tie rod change for more specific)
9.
Moving over to the Front lower control arm (front). Remove the Sway bar link.
10.
Remove the lower shock bolt.
11.
Next remove the bushing of lower arms. You will need a 18mm wrench to fit into the tight space on one side.
12.
Use an extension on the drive ratchet to break the bolt open as it will be on pretty tight.
13.
Next remove the bolt on the rear arm. I again used an extension to break it open.
14.
Closer look. Removing the bolt may require a bit of improvising to avoid the brake/fuel lines. If you have a new replacement bolt like I did, try to pull and hammer slowly to get it out, being careful to avoid the line.
15.
Now that the bolts are removed from both lower arms. Finish removing the axle bolt that was loosened at the beginning.
16.
Before completely removing the bolt, give it a soft tap to move the axle out of the wheel bearing.
17.
Now the wheel bearing housing is free. Admire. The worst is over :) almost.
18.
Using the pickle fork and a hammer, remove the rear arm. It took only 3 good stress releasing blows to get the joint down.
19.
You will need this tool to remove the front arm. I tried to remove it with the fork with over 30 blows it didn't even budge. Using this tool, its only a matter of minutes, as you turn, there will be a loud clank once the part is loose.
20.
Install the arm bushing end. Do not torque to specifics yet, only hand tight. You are supposed to torque it once the car is on the ground. I instead did it using the jack on the rear control arm head to get the suspension compressed.
21.
Install the front head to the wheel bearing housing tightening the bolt then slip in the axle into position but not inserting just yet. This allows you to stretch out a bit further to install the rear arm.
22.
Reinstall sway bar link, slip in the upper control arm heads and tie rod end head back into place along with everything else in reverse,and you are finished.

Continue lendo

How to Take Apart a Door on a BMW 325I

Removing Door Panels
1. Place your large flat head screwdriver into the crease between the wood trim and leather upholstery located on your door panel. Pry off the wood trim on the door panel starting from the back to the front of the vehicle. Place the wood trim aside for reinstallation.
2. Pull down on the two plastic caps underneath the door armrest to remove them. Place the caps aside for reinstallation.
3. Slide your small flat head screwdriver between the plastic and leather crease of the window control plug on the top of the arm rest. Pry upward to remove the plug. Place the control plug aside for reinstallation.
4. Locate and remove two screws underneath the wood trim you removed in Step 1 using your torx t-20 screwdriver. Place the screws aside for reinstallation. Find and unscrew two screws underneath the armrest where you unplugged the two caps in Step 2 using your torx t-20 screwdriver. Find and remove one screw underneath the window plug you detached in Step 3 using your torx t-20 screwdriver.
5. Wedge your fingers between the door panel and the door, starting at the back of the door panel. Move your fingers clockwise down the door panel and pry the panel away from the door.
6. Hold onto the door panel, keeping it close to the door so that the wires connected behind the door panel do not rip out. Look behind the door panel and locate the two wire connections near the speaker and the white plastic piece in the center of the panel that connects to the door handle.
7. Depress both sides of the plastic connector pieces attached to the wires and pull away to release the wires from the door panel, allowing the panel to detach from the door.

Continue lendo

How to Turn Off the Service Engine Light on a 2002 Mercedes Wagon

1. Sit in the vehicle and put the key into the ignition and turn it on but do not crank the engine.
2. Look for the menu display button on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. Press the button twice to display the reading for the odometer on the instrument panel screen.
3. Press the 'Down Arrow' button on the steering wheel until you see 'Service B' on the instrument panel screen.
4. Find the gray button sticking out of the instrument panel. Press and hold it until you see 'Service Interval' appear on the screen. Hold it for about three seconds until you see the words on the screen 'Service interval has been reset.'

Continue lendo

How to Upgrade My BMW NAV

1. Insert the new navigation CD or DVD into the CD/DVD drive on the dashboard. Keep the label on the CD or DVD face up.
2. Follow the instructions on the control display.
3. Press '1' to eject the navigation CD or DVD after the navigation system has finished upgrading. Pull the navigation CD or DVD out of the CD/DVD drive on the dashboard.

Continue lendo

How to Reset a Mercedes Ml320 Key FOB

1. Insert the key into the ignition.
2. Press and hold the 'LOCK' button on the key fob.
3. Remove the key from the ignition. Keep the 'LOCK' button held down while removing it.
4. Press and release the 'UNLOCK' button five times.
5. Release the 'LOCK' button. The fob is reset.

Continue lendo

How to Increase Mileage in the BMW 128I

1. Keep your BMW's engine in the best condition possible by performing regular tune-ups, oil changes and keeping the tires properly inflated. A poorly maintained vehicle will not be as efficient as a well maintained vehicle because a poorly maintained engine must work harder. Tires that are low on air also make the engine work harder because they do not roll as easily as they do when inflated to manufacturer specifications.
2. Keep a constant, steady driving speed rather than frequently accelerating and decelerating. Rough or aggressive driving, including frequent starting and stopping, decreases your fuel mileage.
3. Be conscious of the amount of weight you are transporting in your BMW. If you carry heavy items such as golf clubs in your trunk, they will decrease your car's fuel efficiency.
4. Open your windows instead of using the air conditioner when driving at low speeds. Running an air conditioner forces your motor to work harder. But at higher speeds, roll your windows up because open windows create drag that lessens fuel efficiency.
5. Do not leave your BMW idling for long periods of time. Idling gets zero miles to the gallon and produces potentially harmful emissions. Turn your BMW 128i off if you are going to be sitting in one place for more than a minute or two.

Continue lendo

How to Change a Mercedes C320 Cabin Filter

1. Remove the three Phillips screws for the panel located just above the passenger's foot well and beneath the glovebox. Remove the panel.
2. Unscrew the plastic Phillips screw for the ducting panel on left side of the foot well. Remove the ducting panel.
3. Locate the two white clips under the panel. Slide the clips outward to remove the filter cover.
4. Place a towel or something similar on the floor to prevent filter dust and debris from landing on the carpeting.
5. Pull the old filter down and rotate it forward to remove it. Reach up as far as you can into the cabin filter with a rag to remove as much dust as possible. A shop can can also be used to remove more dust.
6. Install the new filter in the opposite of removal. Reinstall the filter cover and slide the clips back in place. Reinstall left hand ducting panel with plastic screw. Reinstall the panel above the foot well area with the three screws.

Continue lendo

How do I Change the Thermostat on a Passat 1.8L?

1. Drain the fluid from the radiator into a sealable container. To drain the fluid, open the petcock located on the lower-left side of the radiator with a pair of pliers. With the fluid drained, close the petcock and seal the container with the fluid to prevent children and animals from gaining access to the toxic material.
2. Locate the water inlet tube. The easiest way to locate it is to trace the lower radiator hose to the location where the hose connects to the engine. On the Pasat, the water inlet is located directly below the water pump housing.
3. Remove the hose from the water inlet tube. Loosen the band clamp that holds the hose on the tube, using a screwdriver, and then pull the hose off the tube.
4. Remove the two bolts that secure the tube to the engine, using an adjustable wrench. Pull the inlet tube off the engine. Be cautious--the gasket and the thermostat tend to fall out with the inlet tube.
5. Remove the gasket, O-Ring (located inside of the inlet tube) and the thermostat, and then discard them. Inspect the inlet tube for any stress cracks of fractures. If you find any, discard the inlet tube and purchase a new one.
6. Place the new O-ring into the water inlet tube. Place the new thermostat into the tube--the end of the thermostat with the spring sticks out of the tube. Place the gasket on the bottom of the inlet tube and place the tube back onto the engine. Secure everything into place with the two bolts.
7. Slide the hose back onto the water inlet tube and secure it using the old band clamp.
8. Drain a 50/50 mixture of radiator fluid and distilled water into the radiator via the radiator filler spout.

Continue lendo

How to Reset the Maintenance Alert on a Mercedes C230

1. Insert the key into the ignition. Turn the key to the first position. Press the 'Menu' button until the mileage display appears on the information center.
2. Press and release the 'Reset' button three times.
3. Turn the ignition key to the second position. Press and release the lower 'Display' button and confirm that the service interval appears on the information center.
4. Press the 'Reset' button once. Use the '+' or '-' buttons to highlight and select the proper oil weight for the oil in your car.
5. Press and release the top 'Display' button. Press and hold 'Reset' for at least three seconds. Press the top 'Display' button until the mileage reading appears. Turn the key back to the 'OFF' position.

Continue lendo

How to Replace the Brake Pads on a 1999 Mercedes CLK 320

1. Loosen the lugs on the wheels using a 1/2-inch ratchet wrench and lug socket. Place wheel blocks on the opposite end of the vehicle being lifted. Position a hydraulic lift under a structural body point and lift the vehicle. Use a pair of jack stands to secure the vehicle on each side, placing them under structure points.
2. Remove the lugs and place inside the wheel. Slide the wheel under the vehicle as close to the work area as possible for extra security. Remove the four retainer bolts holding the caliper to the wheel assembly using the Allen wrench set. Gently tap the caliper with the rubber mallet to remove from the rotor.
3. Use the C-clamp to push the caliper piston to its full open position while the original brake pads are still installed. Remove the original brake pads by prying the clips off the caliper unit with a screwdriver. Install the new brake pads by fitting them into place and prying the clip onto the indented spots of the caliper.
4. Place the caliper back into position over the rotor. Tighten each retention bolt to the specified torque. Reinstall the wheel and hand tighten the lugs. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. Use the 1/2-inch ratchet wrench and lug socket to ensure each lug is tightened to the recommended torque. Enter the vehicle and press the brake pedal until it becomes stiff. Repeat for each wheel.

Continue lendo