Bilstein install ? - Type 44, rear

[Bernie Benz]

Dave,

All the nut does is tighten a sandwich of washers and spacers against the
shoulder on the strut rod.  As long as there is no clearance in this
sandwich it will not be a source of noise.  All that you need is enough
torque such that it will not come loose over time, and it's a lock nut isn't
it?  Look elsewhere!

Bernie

> From: "Dave C." <conner at cfm.Ohio-State.edu>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 23:55:37 -0400
> To: 200q20v at audifans.com, quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Bilstein install ? - Type 44, rear
>
> Bernie sez...
> "You're making way too much over bolt/nut torque!  Throw your torque wrench
> away, only to be used for head bolts thereafter.  Tighten until it feels
> right for that size thread.  My bet is that this is not your problem.  Is
> the symptom a rattle or a squeek?  Spring not seated in the perch properly?
> If a squeek, check and relube the upper link ball joints.  Had this problem
> on an old '87 5K @ 250K."
>
> Bernie,
> It's definitely a metallic rattle, and the links/ball joints are new.
>
> The spring spring/seat orientation  is another possibility.  The diagrams
> in Bentley show the proper orientation for the stock springs, but the
> Eibach's are different.  Stock springs have upper and lower ends in line
> with one another, whereas the Eibach's have the ends on opposite sides of
> the coil.  I've installed them so the upper end is oriented in the rubber
> bushing/bearing as shown in Bentley.  They side of the car with the loudest
> rattle had been oriented somewhat different, but I haven't had a chance to
> test out the current orientation yet.  I still need to settle on how tight
> to make the top nut before putting it all back together and taking it for a
> drive.
>
> I find it difficult to feel the torque on these nuts cause I'm tightening
> them against the spring and rubber bushing.  Maybe I'm supposed to tighten
> them with the spring compressed to relieve this tension.  Hmmm... now that
> I think about it, this makes perfect sense.  (Duh!)
>
> Further, Al Powell wrote to say he bets the Bilstein instructions are meant
> to read 37 +/- 7.5 ft lbs.  I think he's right ... upon reading further in
> the newer Bentley I find they do spec 37 ft lbs for the 200Q20v.
>
> So I will tighten to 37 ft lbs with the spring compressed.  I bet this has
> been my problem cause IMO there is a big difference between 15 and 37 ft
> lbs, and especially if I was erroneously tightening against the spring.
>
> Thanks for the input guys.
> Dave C.
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