Mysterious Clunking Returns?!

[TheRingmeister at aol.com]

I'm not sure about the 80, but in the 20v coupes and sedans, there is an 
adjustment at the rack for the inner tie rods.  More than once, 20v listers 
have reported that this bolt has worked loose, and caused a little more play 
in the wheel, and a clunking during slow-speed steering, and/or stopping. You 
could have wrenched that axle a little too much maybe, and pulled on the tie 
rod, then worked it loose again last night "playing"
Here's a post from just this morning referencing this very issue, courtesy 
Mr. Peter Schultz......
"My CQ had a similar problem, and the clunking turned out to be that the two 
15mm bolts holding the tie rod ends to the rack (behind the engine, on the 
firewall) were loose - giving just enough play for the clunking - I removed 
the nuts, put on some threadlocker, tightened them - walla- no more clunk...

quick (10 minutes tops), easy (15mm socket) and cheap solution to the 
clunk..."

also, see chris miller's site for further info, based on his 200tq20v:
Most audis have an adjustment bolt in the steering rack to take up the play 
noticed at full lock.  If you turn the wheel fully while at a standstill and 
get a clunk, might just be a bit of wear in the rack. Details here:
http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/steer.html#Steering gear adjustment

Wylie Bean
TheRingmeister
90 cq
99.5 A4Avant 1.8Tq

In a message dated 10/30/00 4:49:43 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
quattro-request at audifans.com writes:

<<  Two nights ago I was ripping around Burlington.  The roads are pretty
nasty bumpy and I was being less than gentle as usual.  The clunking has
come back and the steering wheel is cocked to the left again.  What the hell
is going on?
I have replaced: wheel bearings, engine mounts (twice), braking equipment,
all suspension components up front
>>