SOS!!! need help asap! Rear shock mount bolts broken!

[Bknapp34]

So I went over some train tracks yesterday and ever since I have had a clunking noise in my rear passenger side. I pulled the wheel and liner and found my shock strut was no longer connected. so basically every time I hit a bump my shock is hitting the shock mount. Im not completely positive but it looks like the bolts are all broken off. if that is the case what steps do I need to take to get them out. is something I have to take to the shop or can I attempt to drill into them and back them out with a special tool. Is there any way I can access the shock tower from above for better access? any help is appreciated!

***I have searched the site but haven't been able to find an answer to my specific problem one other individual had a similar problem but there was only one reply in the thread...hopefully you guys have some more answers for me!!!***

[customa4]

Get some pictures posted. With the shock and mount out of the way you should have access to what's left of the studs. You might be able to grab them with vice grips and take them out. Another option is EZ-outs to get them out. Pictures will get you more accurate answers.

[Dubsport Inc]

Try a pair of vice grips on the bolt if there is any sticking out. If not, drill it out and use an extractor to remove them. You should check the other side to just in case!
Richard

edited... haha beat me to it!

[MikTip]

So I went over some train tracks yesterday and ever since I have had a clunking noise in my rear passenger side. I pulled the wheel and liner and found my shock strut was no longer connected. so basically every time I hit a bump my shock is hitting the shock mount. Im not completely positive but it looks like the bolts are all broken off. if that is the case what steps do I need to take to get them out. is something I have to take to the shop or can I attempt to drill into them and back them out with a special tool. Is there any way I can access the shock tower from above for better access? any help is appreciated!

***I have searched the site but haven't been able to find an answer to my specific problem one other individual had a similar problem but there was only one reply in the thread...hopefully you guys have some more answers for me!!!***

I you dont normally DIY repair your Audi, and are unfamiluar with the rear shock R&R....take it to a shop.

[customa4]

Try a pair of vice grips on the bolt if there is any sticking out. If not, drill it out and use an extractor to remove them. You should check the other side to just in case!
Richard

edited... haha beat me to it!

LOL it's funny how identical our posts are and posted at the same time!

[Dubsport Inc]

LOL it's funny how identical our posts are and posted at the same time!

Great minds think alike? :)

[Bknapp34]

Thank you guys for the quick responses!! I will post pictures as soon as I can but I had to leave the car at home and head back to school so it may be a couple days. you guys mentioned accessing the bolts from the other side...I know on the front you can just remove the whole shock tower, is there a way to do this on the back end as well? if that isn't really necessary what is the easiest way to access the top side of the mount? could I remove a panel from inside the trunk and access the top of the mount to try to get to the other side of the bolts like you guys are suggesting?

I apologize for any dumb questions in this post. Im not as familiar with suspension systems as I would like to be. my father and I have done our fair share of work on cars over the years so Im not totally inept but suspension systems are relatively new.

[War Machine]

To remove the top bolts of the shock, just peel back the carpeted fender liner at the top, and two 13? bolts hold it in. The rear shock is the easiest component of the B6 suspension.

[SlickFix]

you guys mentioned accessing the bolts from the other side...I know on the front you can just remove the whole shock tower, is there a way to do this on the back end as well?

No, he didn't say you could access the bolts from the other side. He said to check the bolts on the other side, because they may have broken, too.

Yes, on the front, you can remove the whole shock tower. It doesn't work that way with the rears. Either take it to a shop, or use the vice grips/EZ-outs methods as described in two earlier posts. Good luck!

[customa4]

This should give you a better understanding of what's going on back there. Click

[Bknapp34]

ok awesome! so on the side in my trunk peel back the carpet. remove the two bolts...pull back the liner, and I should have access to the top of the mount and the bolts?

[customa4]

Great minds think alike? :)

Sounds good to me.

[customa4]

No nothing requires you to go in the trunk. This is all accessible from the wheel well. Check out the link I posted, it has diagrams and removal process.

[MikTip]

This should give you a better understanding of what's going on back there. Click

Nothing here has not been posted before....these B6's are 12+ years old...simply require an effort to "search" and yee shall find as customa4 did!

[Solarsuplex]

Yeah, you seem confused man. When somebody said the other side. THey were referring to the other wheel. The driver or passenger side if you will. Not the other side of the bolt itself. Just take off the wheel. Look up at the 2 bolts holding in the tower and try to spin them out.


Does anybody know if those bolts go into a hole that has a back? If not OP could use a file and make a nice little groove to put a flat head screwdriver in and either screw it out or just go all the way up and into whatever part of the frame that is. You'll hear them rolling around forever though.

[MikTip]

The rear shock bottom bolt(large) goes thru the rear spindle/bearing housing(quattro), and more than likely has broken off due to corrision.



The broken bolt(lower) is probably corroded inside the housing?

Depending on how badly corroded it is, the rear spindle may need to come off in an attempt to remove remainder of broken bolt....

Cant really advise without pics....

If the bolt is broken off inside the housing, it will require specialized skills and tools and experience with such.

[Dubsport Inc]

Mik, I believe he is talking about the upper as he states "bolts". OP there is no access from above, you will need to be very careful when removing. As stated above if you don't feel comfortable removing them take it into a shop and have it done, it should not be that bad!
Richard

[customa4]

OP, jack it up and get that wheel off so you can get some pictures! We'll be able to guide you a lot better if we know exactly what happened.