[s-cars] Squeak

[Fred Munro]

 Just fixed this very problem on my UrS4 on Monday, Bob.

The squeak you are hearing is likely (95% chance) coming from the outer end
of the upper connecting link on the rear suspension. The outer end of this
link is a "sealed-for-life" Heim joint, the inner end is a conventional
tie-rod end style ball and socket joint. The link is ajustable and sets the
rear wheel camber.
The squeak means your "sealed-for-life" joint has just reached the end of
it's life. A moment of silence, please.

But don't despair! CPR (Creaky Part Revitilization) will extend your joint
life and eliminate that embarassing squeak (my wife said the UrS4 sounded
like a baby carriage when I pulled into the driveway - I mean, really!!!
What an insult!).

The quick fix is to pull the rear wheel and stick your trusty hypodermic
needle on the end of your grease gun ( you do have one of these, don't you?
It's a hypo needle with a zerk fitting on the end - a truly indispensible
tool for sealed-for-life joints). Insert the hypo needle through the rubber
boot on one side of the joint. Angle the needle toward the joint and push it
right against the bushing. Give it a couple shots of chassis grease.
Ideally, the grease will pass through the bushing and swell the boot on the
other side. There are, of course, some less than ideal outcomes. If the boot
is really shot, the grease will ooze out all over your Gucci loafers. Stick
the needle in the other side and try again if this happens. This will
silence the squeak.

The mode of failure for these joints is boot failure followed by water
washout of the "lifetime" grease followed by joint wear followed by squeak.
If it is squeaking, it is probably already getting worn. This, of course,
means you really should replace the link. Rod is selling them for US$109 at
TPC. They are sided, so order the proper side. If one has failed, the other
likely isn't too far behind.

Having said that, I have kept these joints going on previous cars ( the same
joint is used on the '89+ 200q and a similar joint on the 5ktq) until there
was no seal left to stick the needle in.

Personally, I plan to add a zerk fitting to the Heim joint - carefully,
though, so as not to weaken the joint, it's not very robust to start with
and you really don't want to just screw a zerk in there - at least I don't.

HTH

Fred Munro
'94 S4

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-admin at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-admin at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Robert Myers
Sent: September 20, 2002 6:18 PM
To: s-car list; quattro list
Subject: [s-cars] Squeak


Hi Y'all,

My '95 urS6 aith 160K+ miles on it has started to develop an annoying
squeak which seems to be coming from the general direction of the tops of
the rear struts.  I hear it mostly either at very low speed or when stopped
and the car's weight shifts as I climb out of the car.  What do I lubricate
and with what?


Bob
*****
  Robert L. Myers   304-574-2372
  Rt. 4, Box 57,  Fayetteville, WV 25840 USA   WV tag Q SHIP
  '95 urS6  Cashmere Grey - der Wunderwagen    ICQ 22170244
  http://www.cob-net.org/church/pvcob.htm
*****

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