Driveshafts rebuilder

[Paul Meyers]

Well, OK. What we have here is a clear misunderstanding. Brian, the guy who
worked on my 2 drive shafts left GRS about 4 months ago. Sam, the guy whom I
think got your call, didn't think he could do it based on his understanding.
I explained that I had had 2 shafts done by them in the past year and was
very happy. They were concerned that they not get into a sourcing dilemma,
where they quoted a price and then couldn't deliver. They knew about the BMW
center bearing, but were in the dark about the u-joint. BTW, is a 4K
driveline identical with a 5K one? I sure don't know.

Anyway, he and I will talk tomorrow. I told him I could get him the part
number for the u-joint if that would help. He is going to call Powerline
Industries (Pomona, CA) to talk about Audi driveline parts. I will check
with him and report the results. Sorry for the mixup. I hope I haven't lost
this (seemingly) precious resource myself.

Incidentally, you almost never have to change out the CV joints, since they
flex so little in a properly aligned system.

Paul Meyers 
Gray 87 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs 145 kM, needs loom transplant 
Pearl 88 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs bilsteins 125 kM 2pc-em k24 turbo 
Metallic White 87 5KTQW eurolights bilsteins 191 kM daily driver
Blue 86 5KCSTQ parts car 



-----Original Message-----
From: Kaklikian, Gary [mailto:Gary.Kaklikian at COMPAQ.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 4:04 PM
To: 'Paul Meyers'; 'quattro at audifans.com'
Subject: RE: Driveshafts rebuilder


I just called GRS about rebuilding my 4000 driveshaft and was told, "Sorry,
we don't do Audi driveshafts - dealer item only."  My response, "But haven't
you rebuilt a couple Audi 5000 driveshafts."  To which they replied, "Yes,
we replaced the center carrier bearing, but we don't want to work on them
again." 

Pretty amusing, especially since a shop here in Colorado Springs gave me a
similar story, even though a fellow Lister told me they "rebuilt" and
balanced his driveshaft less than two years ago ("No, I'll tell you again,
we don't have the necessary flanges to mount the Audi driveshaft to our
balancers.")

I guess, as with many Audi repairs, if you've had the pleasure of doing it
once ...

Anyway, seeing as the parts - 2 cv's, boots, u-joint (if you can find it),
center carrier bearing - total $400 (plus labor and balancing, if there is
indeed anyone in the country that can do it), the dealer alternative
(Carlsen) looks awfully good!
 
A dealer in Denver actually told me the 4000Q driveshaft is not available,
this after they f@#$ up my special parts order.  No  wonder I refuse to ever
buy a car from a dealership again.

Sorry for the rant .... we are a persistent group .... unlike my co-worker
who decided to trade-in his  '98 Explorer just because it needed front brake
pads!
(I think a better cure for SUV's would be 70mph speed limiters.)


Gary Kaklikian
86 4ktq
92 S4
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Meyers [mailto:paul.meyers at citrix.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 9:39 AM
To: Kaklikian, Gary; 'quattro at audifans.com'
Subject: Driveshafts rebuilder


GRS Drivelines and U-Joints
930 W 2100 S
SLC, UT 84119
(801) 972-1753

Paul Meyers 
Gray 87 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs 145 kM, needs loom transplant 
Pearl 88 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs bilsteins 125 kM 2pc-em k24 turbo 
Metallic White 87 5KTQW eurolights bilsteins 191 kM daily driver
Blue 86 5KCSTQ parts car 



Could I get the name of your shop please, Paul?

Thanks,
Gary Kaklikian
86 4ktq
92 S4

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Meyers [mailto:paul.meyers at citrix.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 9:45 AM
To: 'quattro at audifans.com'
Subject: RE: Driveshafts


It really depends on whether the local shop wants to tool up. My local shop
here in SLC balances Audi drive shafts. I've had them rebuild 2 and
rebalance one. For the complete rebuild, the total was less than $300,
including balancing the shaft. Of course, I supplied the parts, so they
didn't mark them up. They just charged me for their hourly rate at about $50
per hour. This included adapting the BMW center bearing I supplied and
installing the aftermarket U-joint I supplied. 

Paul Meyers 
Gray 87 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs 145 kM, needs loom transplant 
Pearl 88 5KCSTQ 1.8bar eurolights fuchs bilsteins 125 kM 2pc-em k24 turbo 
Metallic White 87 5KTQW 191 kM daily driver
Blue 86 5KCSTQ parts car 



-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Golledge [mailto:petergg at dimensional.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 10:36 PM
To: Kaklikian, Gary
Cc: 'Quattro List'
Subject: Re: Driveshafts


"Kaklikian, Gary" wrote:
> 
> Does anyone know of a source for rebuilt Quattro driveshafts, or even a
shop
> capable of balancing one? Any BTDT  with replacing the CV's and center
> U-joint, in particular on the 4k/5k?

Every shop I found/called in CO would not touch an Audi driveshaft.
Two places told me that my driveshaft "would never balance" after
I had pulled it apart, naturally they were wrong.... :-)

> I know Blaufergnugen sells the CV's and center U-joint, but how involved
is
> replacement of these parts? Also, why can't I find a driveline speciality
> shop that has the equipment to balance the driveshaft assembly?
> A complete rebuilt driveshaft (I assume balanced) is available from the
> dealer for $$$.

Are you sure that your driveshaft really needs to be balanced?  A bad
center bear or u-joint can really put out some vibration.  I rebuilt
my driveshaft (replaced u-joint, one CV and center support bearing)
without
a great deal of trouble.  The biggest PITA was getting the yolk of the
driveshaft.  Use a punch to mark the orientation of the yolk on the
shaft
and the orientation of the yolks on each half of the driveshaft.  Shop
around for the CV joints, my local Audi dealer had them for a good
price!

> The Bentley also mentions an alignment tool for adjusting the driveshaft.

No need, good idea to mark the original location though to ensure that
the center support goes back where it was though.

Cheers
-- 
Peter Golledge

89 200TQ (Wagon + Sedan), 79 Porsche 930, 89 SAAB 900i