B3 90 q Rear lower Ball Joint Replacement

Andy Douglas · 25-11-10, 08:23 PM

How much hassle should I expect replacing a lower wish bone to rear suspension strut ball joint on my B3 90q.
Thanks Andy

mikes2 · 25-11-10, 09:08 PM

depends if someone has been there before and bodged something or not.

If it's all original, it's fairly straightforward. they can be quite tricky to extract from the bottom of the struts sometimes due to corrosion

BIGGYIN · 25-11-10, 09:21 PM

I take it,it,s similar to the B2?If so,it,s not too hard.
Split bottom ball joint and then undo the 2 big bolts at other end of wishbone.
When putting the new one back on,use new bolts.(and nuts.)Also if you,renewing the part the ball point comes out of(goes in wishbone)?Make sure it,s in exactly the same amount as the old one.Or before swapping the old one over use a paint pen to mark how far it goes in the wish bone.Then put it in the new wish bone,upto mark.
When you tighten the main 2 bolts,nick them up until you feel resistance and then drop car off jack(axle stand) to finally tighten upto proper torque measurement.(car weight on wish bone.)
Jobs done.

Audi Derek · 25-11-10, 09:30 PM

As Biggyin says...

And for the ball joint, its held in by two 10mm bolts these will snap/shear off unless you use some heat on them ie:blow touch/gas flame then undo..Then beat out the joint with a flat head screw driver and replace with new..

..

mikes2 · 26-11-10, 05:20 PM

The two bolts securing the rear ball joints weren't fitted to the B3 cars.

completely different from the early cars. Similar to a front as Bigyin says, although they have an offset to them which should face the rear of the car.

Audi Derek · 26-11-10, 09:04 PM

Learn somthing new every day..

..

Andy Douglas · 08-12-10, 08:13 PM

Thanks for your replys,seems that two types of ball joint where fitted to the B3 cars,the early type being similar to the B2,mine being the later type has 2 bolts that go into the bottom of the strut,I thought that if I sheared one of the bolts I would be stuffed,off the road with lots of snow about!! so I got my local garage to do it, worth an hours labour to save any hassle.
Got my new MOT certificate today,that being the only problem!! pretty good for a 22 year old.

BIGGYIN · 08-12-10, 08:16 PM

ROCK N ROLL.

25-11-10, 09:08 PM	#2
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	depends if someone has been there before and bodged something or not. If it's all original, it's fairly straightforward. they can be quite tricky to extract from the bottom of the struts sometimes due to corrosion __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

25-11-10, 09:21 PM	#3
BIGGYIN 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Merseyside Posts: 7,976	I take it,it,s similar to the B2?If so,it,s not too hard. Split bottom ball joint and then undo the 2 big bolts at other end of wishbone. When putting the new one back on,use new bolts.(and nuts.)Also if you,renewing the part the ball point comes out of(goes in wishbone)?Make sure it,s in exactly the same amount as the old one.Or before swapping the old one over use a paint pen to mark how far it goes in the wish bone.Then put it in the new wish bone,upto mark. When you tighten the main 2 bolts,nick them up until you feel resistance and then drop car off jack(axle stand) to finally tighten upto proper torque measurement.(car weight on wish bone.) Jobs done. __________________ q90 B2 Type 85 - q90 B2 Type 85-PROJECT-ABY 20vt KARL. Injection is nice but I'd rather be blown

25-11-10, 09:30 PM	#4
Audi Derek “Been raced and rallied” Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bridgwater Somerset Posts: 1,431	As Biggyin says... And for the ball joint, its held in by two 10mm bolts these will snap/shear off unless you use some heat on them ie:blow touch/gas flame then undo..Then beat out the joint with a flat head screw driver and replace with new.. .. __________________ Vorspurng durch Technik (see it does work)

26-11-10, 05:20 PM	#5
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	The two bolts securing the rear ball joints weren't fitted to the B3 cars. completely different from the early cars. Similar to a front as Bigyin says, although they have an offset to them which should face the rear of the car. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

26-11-10, 09:04 PM	#6
Audi Derek “Been raced and rallied” Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bridgwater Somerset Posts: 1,431	Learn somthing new every day.. .. __________________ Vorspurng durch Technik (see it does work)

08-12-10, 08:13 PM	#7
Andy Douglas Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: St Andrews Posts: 446	Thanks for your replys,seems that two types of ball joint where fitted to the B3 cars,the early type being similar to the B2,mine being the later type has 2 bolts that go into the bottom of the strut,I thought that if I sheared one of the bolts I would be stuffed,off the road with lots of snow about!! so I got my local garage to do it, worth an hours labour to save any hassle. Got my new MOT certificate today,that being the only problem!! pretty good for a 22 year old. __________________ No Audi at Present MGF VVC Honda CRV (daily wife bus) Peugeot Expert (work van) VW Polo 1.9 TDI No 1 sons 1st VAG car

08-12-10, 08:16 PM	#8
BIGGYIN 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Merseyside Posts: 7,976	ROCK N ROLL. __________________ q90 B2 Type 85 - q90 B2 Type 85-PROJECT-ABY 20vt KARL. Injection is nice but I'd rather be blown