DIY Video: How to Jack up your C7 & Install Wheel Spacers

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-16-2019 09:35 PM

Put together a quick video on how to properly jack up your C7, as well as how to install wheel spacers. I know these are trivial things for most people that have been doing work on their own cars, but my youtube got a surprising amount of requests on how to jack up and support a C7.

Tools List:
-Breaker Bar or Impact Gun
-17mm Socket
-Universal Audi Polyurethane Jack Pad Adapter (https://amzn.to/2XNNp9Z)
-Jack
-Jack Stand(s)
-Wheel Hanger/Wheel Guide(s)
-Gloves & Knee Pads
-Various tools provided by your roadside tool tray under your spare tire

Noteworthy Information:

-This is an easy DIY, even for beginner at home hobbyists as long as you have the right tools.

-Make sure the car is on sturdy Level Ground.

-Remember to never use the widowmaker emergency jack provided by Audi unless it's an emergency situation... and never get under the car while using it without something else being there to support the car in the event that it fails.

-Always Use Jack Stands to support your car while working on it. Never trust the jack by itself.

-If using a breaker bar, remember to loosen your wheel bolts before lifting the car.

-Use the provided Wheel Guide (found in your roadside tool tray under your spare... it's plastic) to guide the wheels onto the hub and make life easier getting things lined up. I suggest picking up an extra one that is metal so you can have 2. Much better to have 2.

-When installing wheel spacers, make sure you buy the appropriate length wheel bolts. Your stock wheel bolts are 27mm. Take the width of your spacer you are using, and add that to the length of your OEM wheel bolt, and that will give you the length of wheel bolt you need to properly run your new spacers. Example: You are installing 20mm spacers to the rear. 27mm + 20mm = 47mm long wheel bolt needed.

I have some more videos getting ready to come out, including DIY's on installing front/rear sway bars, installing a P3 Digital Gauge, and changing your oil. If any of my videos have been helpful to you, I'd appreciate it if you subscribed and gave them a thumbs up so others can find them on the youtubes.
You can also follow my C7 Instagram page @AudiC7Owners

**ItsLarryG** · 07-16-2019 09:45 PM

Those panels pop off so you have better access to the frame rail without harming the skirts. FYI.

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-16-2019 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by ItsLarryG

Those panels pop off so you have better access to the frame rail without harming the skirts. FYI.

Good to know! I haven't damaged mine at all doing it this way, but I'll add that in the notes on the description.

**ItsLarryG** · 07-16-2019 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by KwikStix

Good to know! I haven't damaged mine at all doing it this way, but I'll add that in the notes on the description.

I figured it out through trial and error. Just trying to spread knowledge. Good vid

**Vinng86** · 07-16-2019 10:01 PM

Great video as usual, didn't think about the frame rail at the back for placing the jack stand. I had difficulty at the front, did you find any place to put the jack stands near the front jack points?

Also, I have a few additional pointers
- Piece of flat wood under the jack stands will prevent damage to your driveway (especially if you have asphalt driveway)
- For the front jack points, remove the trim piece (around 3:01) around it or you might damage it. You can easily pry off with a screw driver.
- The breaker bar in the spare kit is garbage. I broke mine the first time I used it and only managed to get 2 bolts off. Buy a decent one and keep it in the trunk.
- A decent torque wrench is super valuable to make sure you don't compromise the lug bolts. Get one!

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-16-2019 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Vinng86

Great video as usual, didn't think about the frame rail at the back for placing the jack stand. I had difficulty at the front, did you find any place to put the jack stands near the front jack points?

Also, I have a few additional pointers
- Piece of flat wood under the jack stands will prevent damage to your driveway (especially if you have asphalt driveway)
- For the front jack points, remove the trim piece (around 3:01) around it or you might damage it. You can easily pry off with a screw driver.
- The breaker bar in the spare kit is garbage. I broke mine the first time I used it and only managed to get 2 bolts off. Buy a decent one and keep it in the trunk.
- A decent torque wrench is super valuable to make sure you don't compromise the lug bolts. Get one!

The frame rail runs the entire length of the side side of the car. So it's pretty much the exact same up front that it is in the back.

Good tip on the wood... I use 2x4's to get my car up higher when I'm under it working.
LarryG mentioned the jack points trim piece comes off too... I truly didn't know that. Gonna throw it in the description of the youtube video.
I really don't consider the tire wrench in the roadside kit to be a "breaker bar". Yes you can break the lug bolts with it, but it's nowhere near as easy as an actual breaker bar that gives you good leverage over the bolts.
And yup... while I didn't show it in the video, I did mention to torque the bolts to 90 ft/lbs.

Thanks for the feedback!

**Saabya6** · 07-17-2019 04:27 AM

Follow you on instagram, our cars are literally twins lol (minus my lack of ACC)

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**AudBoost** · 07-17-2019 05:35 AM

Great job on the video!

Also, a little anti seize on the back of the spacers is not a bad idea to prevent the spacers from getting stuck to the hub.

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-17-2019 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Saabya6

Follow you on instagram, our cars are literally twins lol (minus my lack of ACC)

Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

Haha nice!

Originally Posted by AudBoost

Great job on the video!

Also, a little anti seize on the back of the spacers is not a bad idea to prevent the spacers from getting stuck to the hub.

Didn't think about that.

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**gkott78** · 07-18-2019 01:46 PM

Thanks again for posting this vid. I was installing my RS grill and was boggled about where to put the jack stands in the front. I was so concerned that I actually pulled the tire off, unbolted the bumper and put the tire back on then lowered it back down while i did the work (both sides). I wish you would have posted this two weeks prior.

I need to take a look at the front again, as I put the jack stand just behind the jack point and lowered slowly only to see it flex and immediately lifted it back up.

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-18-2019 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by gkott78

Thanks again for posting this vid. I was installing my RS grill and was boggled about where to put the jack stands in the front. I was so concerned that I actually pulled the tire off, unbolted the bumper and put the tire back on then lowered it back down while i did the work (both sides). I wish you would have posted this two weeks prior.

I need to take a look at the front again, as I put the jack stand just behind the jack point and lowered slowly only to see it flex and immediately lifted it back up.

There is a lot of plastic under there that may flex slightly, but as long as the rail is resting on it you are good. I'll get a picture tomorrow of where I put mine.

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**Laziebun** · 07-20-2019 05:14 PM

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

Where the front grill come from?

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**AudiC7Owners** · 07-20-2019 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Laziebun

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

Where the front grill come from?

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Thanks!

Look up StoneCarbon2009 on eBay. I have a video about it on my channel too

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**Four rings fan** · 07-24-2019 05:51 PM

@KwikStix Thanks for the link to that jack pad adapter. Who knew that Audi would have such a funky shaped place to jack up the car. Perfect timing as I blew out one of the POS oem Pirellis P-Zero's today and I'm pretty sure my hole in the wall tire guy that I've used for years for other cars won't have an adapter that shape. One day shipping from both Amazon and Tirerack so I'll be good as new by Friday.

**AudiC7Owners** · 07-24-2019 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Four rings fan

@KwikStix Thanks for the link to that jack pad adapter. Who knew that Audi would have such a funky shaped place to jack up the car. Perfect timing as I blew out one of the POS oem Pirellis P-Zero's today and I'm pretty sure my hole in the wall tire guy that I've used for years for other cars won't have an adapter that shape. One day shipping from both Amazon and Tirerack so I'll be good as new by Friday.

Glad I could help!

**ry0t05** · 03-06-2020 06:49 AM

I don't understand why you had the wheel on while installing the wheel bolts? I haven't ever done anything like this though ..

**AudiC7Owners** · 03-06-2020 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by ry0t05

I don't understand why you had the wheel on while installing the wheel bolts? I haven't ever done anything like this though ..

Maybe I don't understand where you are coming from... but how else would you attach your wheel?

**eurospek** · 03-06-2020 08:22 AM

Any suspension mods?

**Valpo A7** · 03-06-2020 08:23 AM

Perhaps he was confused because the car has lug-bolts and not lug-nuts. Myself I have been wrenching with my dad since the early 1970s and now on my own. My 2012 Audi was the first car I have ever had that had lug-bolts.

**AudiC7Owners** · 03-06-2020 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by eurospek

Any suspension mods?

Sway Bars front and rear, but that's it. I am going to be replacing my control arms soon and when I do, i'll be putting on H&R lowering springs as well.

Originally Posted by Valpo A7

Perhaps he was confused because the car has lug-bolts and not lug-nuts. Myself I have been wrenching with my dad since the early 1970s and now on my own. My 2012 Audi was the first car I have ever had that had lug-bolts.

Good point.

**ry0t05** · 03-06-2020 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Valpo A7

Perhaps he was confused because the car has lug-bolts and not lug-nuts. Myself I have been wrenching with my dad since the early 1970s and now on my own. My 2012 Audi was the first car I have ever had that had lug-bolts.

TIL what a lug bolt is! I've only ever dealt with lug nuts on the stud...didn't even know this other lug bolt was a thing. When I was considering adding spacers to my car (hence why I watched your video), I was very scared about messing around with studs thinking it was pretty difficult/scary. Now that I understand what a lug bolt is and see your video in that light, this looks like a trivial job to do.

My comment has to look hilarious from your point of view

**akingzkid** · 03-06-2020 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Valpo A7

Perhaps he was confused because the car has lug-bolts and not lug-nuts. Myself I have been wrenching with my dad since the early 1970s and now on my own. My 2012 Audi was the first car I have ever had that had lug-bolts.

Same here. Lug bolts were new to me also as of 2 years ago when I got my first Audi. Using the little thing that you screw in to hold the tire on while removing the lug bolts is a must.

**ry0t05** · 03-06-2020 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by akingzkid

Same here. Lug bolts were new to me also as of 2 years ago when I got my first Audi. Using the little thing that you screw in to hold the tire on while removing the lug bolts is a must.

When I saw him get that tool out in the video I immediately thought "ok what a waste of a tool"...just set the damn wheel on the studs. Duh. Why would you need to make it longer??

Now I want to buy a 2nd like he recommended

**AudiC7Owners** · 03-09-2020 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by ry0t05

TIL what a lug bolt is! I've only ever dealt with lug nuts on the stud...didn't even know this other lug bolt was a thing. When I was considering adding spacers to my car (hence why I watched your video), I was very scared about messing around with studs thinking it was pretty difficult/scary. Now that I understand what a lug bolt is and see your video in that light, this looks like a trivial job to do.

My comment has to look hilarious from your point of view

Originally Posted by akingzkid

Same here. Lug bolts were new to me also as of 2 years ago when I got my first Audi. Using the little thing that you screw in to hold the tire on while removing the lug bolts is a must.

Originally Posted by ry0t05

When I saw him get that tool out in the video I immediately thought "ok what a waste of a tool"...just set the damn wheel on the studs. Duh. Why would you need to make it longer??

Now I want to buy a 2nd like he recommended

lol, glad we got all that sorted

**Valpo A7** · 03-09-2020 07:25 PM

When I first got the car I used the plastic false stud until I snapped it off. Now I can just line it up and lift the wheel in place. Once I start the first lug then it’s all good. I typically just run the lugs down with my impact and don’t mess with the life wrench or torque wrench. This past weekend I buzzed the backs on and checked with the torque wrench. Confirmed that my impact sets em right each time.

I have a 1/2 inch drive ingersol rand air impact

**DeRico** · 03-11-2020 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by ry0t05

I don't understand why you had the wheel on while installing the wheel bolts? I haven't ever done anything like this though ..

It took me a couple times to realize how you were asking that question.

**ry0t05** · 06-01-2020 07:18 PM

You'd be happy to hear (after my shameful question earlier) that I successfully jacked up and installed my spacers today. Went with 15mm on all 4 corners. Skipped the jack stands since I wasn't getting under the car - there was only about 20 seconds of floor jack failure risk on any one corner.

In the process of finishing my garage - excuse the mudding and taping. IMG_20200601_201551.jpeg IMG_20200601_202937.jpeg IMG_20200601_202913.jpeg

**ry0t05** · 06-01-2020 07:23 PM

I'll lower it -17mm tomorrow on stock air. Was too exhausted tonight. 2 of the wheels were seized like a mother f***er and I left my rubber mallet at my brother's house

**Curr** · 06-02-2020 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by ry0t05

I'll lower it -17mm tomorrow on stock air. Was too exhausted tonight. 2 of the wheels were seized like a mother f***er and I left my rubber mallet at my brother's house

Face away from the car, and back kick it like a horse, both sides of tire. Should only take a few hits.