[200q20v] Re: 200q20v digest, Vol 1 #473 - 13 msgs

[Bernie Benz]

Good write up Derek.  You're almost there!  A convert to the "Don't fix it
if it ain't broke!" club.  Congradulations!

> Pox on replacing the center bearing or drive shaft ends!
If they ain't broke, but while in there I'd sure relube the front CV joint
and add heat shields.  See my recent response to Chris Miller.

> And Bernie, I have some rear shocks available out of my car.  Maybe we can
> negotiate on the per pound rate?
Hey, I'm interested if they are rebuildable, having removable heads, such as
Konis.  I don't know Blistenes.  Know that OEMs are not.

Bernie 

> From: "Derek Pulvino" <dbpulvino at hotmail.com>
> Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 22:43:13 -0700
> To: 200q20v at audifans.com
> Cc: t44tq at mindspring.com
> Subject: [200q20v] Re: 200q20v digest, Vol 1 #473 - 13 msgs
> 
> Taka,
> 
> Looks like you've got some money to spend on the 200.  Quite an exhaustive
> list.  My feelings are not to worry about everything yous you have slated
> for replacement ie front and rear subframe bushings, the engine mounts, and
> the front and rear shock mounts.  Recently did some rebuld on the front end
> work of my car, I found all of those parts to be in an a good state.  No
> cracking or seperating was noted.  As I had bought the subframe bushings
> prior to removing the part, I put them on anyway, but did have a hell of a
> time finding a shop willing to do the press work for me.  One shop I went to
> even tried to pull a Bernie Benz and disuade me from replacing these.  They
> said that "in all our years of work, we are yet to see one of these cars
> that need the subframe bushings replaced."  I said "stick it in your ear,
> I'm replacing em," and went somewhere else. In retrospect, I'd actually
> agree not worth doing, short of severe bustedness.  Transmission mounts on
> the other hand were well worth the time; replacing these eliminated my prior
> drive shaft rub. Pox on replacing the center bearing or drive shaft ends!
> 
> I saw the Blau is running the front control arms on special right now (140
> per side).  From what I know the parts come all the bushings you need
> (inner, and two sway bar). Replacing the control arms is also the only way
> to replace the ball joint; extra piece of mind on the one hand, and their
> tendency to not fail on the other. The only concern I have with Blau though,
> is the parts I bought from them where all made in China.  Had some
> reservation prior to install.
> 
> My experience has been somewhat frustrating however, as even after all the
> work I did (strut bearings, inner bushings, all sway bar mounts, front
> subframe, tranny mounts, shocks all around, and outer tie rod ends) the car
> still did not, and has not gone back to the state it was in when first
> purchased.  I'm still to get an alignment that is dead nuts on the specs
> (Bernie ear you heart out), and have a suspicion that this is the missing
> link.  I've also suspected the ball joints, inner tie rod ends, and steering
> damper, or even the qualitey of Blaus's parts, but have yet do invest in any
> of those experiments.  With the BBS's, it does drive well.
> 
> With the engine, like Chris said, only one camshaft seal here.  The other
> cam seal is integrated with the valve cover gasket.  The cam end half moons
> as per my experience, are the area on the valve cover gasket most prone to
> leakage.
> 
> Also drained and refilled the tranny with Redline during my maintenance; big
> improvement to shifting here irregardless of if ain't broke...
> 
> And Bernie, I have some rear shocks available out of my car.  Maybe we can
> negotiate on the per pound rate?
> 
> Derek Pulvino
>