Multiple Questions
Ameer Antar
antar at attbi.com
Tue Oct 8 23:28:03 EDT 2002
>(1.)
>I put on a set of four tires today and the installer said that he
>could not align the car due to frozen tie rods which have to be
>replaced due to torn rubber, whatever. He said the outers need to
>be replaced . . .
I'm sorta curious what brand you decided to go with...
>So would you replace the INNERS *and* the OUTERS since you are taking
>everything apart ?
>
>What would you expect to pay for decent tie rod ends ?
>
>Would you all put in MOOG tie rods ($60 each or $120 total) or just
>the ones which cost about $17-30 each ?
>
>I have to do all items all asap as the car was not aligned today and
>it needs to go back for alignment. He offered to do the Moog outers
>and alignment for $230 total parts and labor. Is that a good deal?
the tie-rods are the actual problem here. I was able to free mine up w/ a
torch and put anti-seize on it after (very important). You might try that,
or for less hassle, and future replacement, get the new tie-rods, which
come w/ tie-rod ends (the outer ones).
if these are the front tie-rods, I saw someone selling them on ebay for $70
total. Also some cheap(er) OEM suppliers are:
http://www.thepartsbin.com/
http://www.bimmerparts.com/
http://www.thepartsconnection.com/
OEM is almost always best, esp. since the cheap ones are probably rebuilt items
>(2.)
>The fella also said he thinks that the growl/howl is caused by a
>*plugged cat* which my husband is pulling right this minute to see
>whether it looks plugged. Can I get one on line for considerable
>less than $215 which was quoted to me the parts stores we usually buy
>from which is less than the other parts stores around such as Pep
>Boys, etc. ?
>
>He called it *back pressure* on the engine. Has anyone else heard
>of that expression . . . ?
back pressure is just exhaust pressure building up in the exhaust system
b/c of some blockage not allowing the exhaust to flow out freely. it's a
possible cause and the only way to check is too look at it. But be careful
w/ that part as there is sensitive ceramic components in there that can
break and may end up getting stuck in there or the muffler.
>(3.)
>All brake pads have to be changed. I was not planning on getting
>the semi-metallic as to save wear on the rotors.
>Thoughts anyone ? I assume they run $20 or 30 per set . . .
>depending upon whether front or rear.
i don't think you can get organic pads for this car, at least not OE
quality. Semi-metallic are the way to go, and some people like
carbon-metallic pads b/c of low dust and smoothness. I have tried
carbon-metallic on my father's Lumina, and it has a very good brake feel
and it's gentle on rotors. I would highly recommend at least OE quality,
but I've never tried any pads on the Audi other than OE parts. I changed
all calipers, pads, rotors and MC to new OE Audi parts, and the braking was
phenomenal. The best I have ever driven.
>(3.)
>Since we are going to have to change all the brake pads, and the
>tie-rods, and perhaps the cat, is there anything
>ELSE which I should be looking at while the car is all torn apart ?
check the caliper dust seals and slide pins for wear. If they're worn, it's
much cheaper to replace them now than pay for a new caliper later. good luck.
-ameer
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