a4 frunt hub carrier question

[magpies]

Hi
I have a Y reg A4 2.5 TDi Avant (not Quattro) and am about to try and renew all the front link bars and spring/shocks - as a precurser I have tried and failed to separate the top pinch bolt/top arms ball joint - wire brush lots of penetrating oil for a couple of days, removed the nut and used a big hammer but nothing budged . I have not damaged anything and having renewed the bottom arms / arb drops have returned the car to the road.
Is the hub carrier a common part throughout the range or different to engine size/model as I was looking at locating a spare in case - also is it possible to drop out the carrier/top links/spring/shocker in one piece to get it to a workshop?

[fitzyr]

Hi
This happened to my 02 A4. Bolt is ceased/fused to strut.You will not move it as it is now. It happens over time. Brought it to local indy, he had to remove whole hub and strut and drill out bolt. He then replaced this bolt with a modified one from audi. I did both sides.
Have had no problems since.
Hope this helps.

[magpies]

still need to know if the hub carrier is the same for a passat or any other A4 of this age (96 - 01) - or would I need a 2.5tdi one