Asicks2.7T

Sunday morning I hit the road at the crack of dawn to visit our good friend Kris Hansen for some much needed assistance with the A6. At 125k miles, my suspension was in much need of a makeover.

First off, here are some dirty before shots.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/before1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/before2.jpg">

The goodies...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/parts.jpg">

Koni Sport Shocks
Vogtland Springs
H-Sport Sway Bars
Febi-Bilstien Control Arms

And it starts...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/dsc00960.jpg">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_12.JPG">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/dsc00966.jpg">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_34.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_35.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_33.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_36.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_32.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_2.JPG">

So the passenger side went easy, and now we move on to the Driver's side. Here's where things went from "Honey, I'll be home by supper time" to "why don't we make that breakfast". Two grueling words...Pinch Bolt...

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_13.JPG">

Forget everything you know about a PITA pinch bolt. For this here pinch bolt will go down in history as being The Pinch Bolt That Sucked The Most Evar.

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_14.JPG">

For the next 4 Hours the following sounds emitted from Kris' garage: hammering, cursing, torching, crying, drilling, belching and grinding.

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_4.JPG">

MELT!

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_6.JPG">

So the Upper Control Arms have now been beaten off, yet the Pinch Bolt reigns in it's glory.

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_16.JPG">

So now Kris decides to remove the entire axle and attack from a different angle...

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_15.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_17.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_18.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_19.JPG">

Even the Axe/Hammmer left with it's tail between it's legs.

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_20.JPG">

Out comes the power drill...

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_23.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_22.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_24.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_26.JPG">

So after 2 hours of drilling and hammering at it in the vise grip, we hear a magical sound...

*PING*

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_28.JPG">

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_29.JPG">

Here's the passenger side pinch bolt for comparison.

<img src="http://audi.kris-hansen.com/images/audiworld/asicks/asicks_40.jpg">

I learned two things from this...Pinch Bolts SUCK and Kris Hansen is the most patient individual in existence. We started at 9AM and ended at midnight. By the time I left, Kris was suffering from some severe battle fatigue. Heck, I was exhausted myself and all I did was hand him the wrenches and take pictures the whole time. He was a true genius at work and this whole thing never would've happened without his help.

Unfortunatley, I didn't get a chance to take any pics during the day, as I was busy sleepwalking around the office. So I snapped some filthy night shots...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/after5.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/after2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/after3.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/after6.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/86695/after7.jpg">

The car's stance is very agressive (as is the handling) It feels like a totally new car now and I'm so glad I did it. Driving it is an entirely new experience for me, it's so much more enjoyable with this setup.

And I never could have done this without a little (err...ALOT) of help from our friend.

mAAAAd props to Kris!!

Jmacs4.2

The picture of Kris holding the bolt is priceless!

GBW

Congratulations to both of you, great info in the post....!

BoneDaddy

looks nice, and yeah, mad props Kris, for helping others out!

SouthboroAudiGuy

Wow. SERIOUS he-man points for that work. Congrats to both for surviving.

Grapeking

Great post, and kudos to Kris for being a real friend. Nice pics, too.

OCDboy

My first control arm project went about the same, cussing, screaming and finally drilling the son of a mother trucker out!

Great work, pictures and perseverance!

5speed6 v.2

Goooood job Kris!! Great post! That darn pinch bolt ...again!

yrk2.7t@curbside

WOW great story. Great job Kris!!

schnellmb

holy chit...great work guys