Steering Problems

[bludodger at att.net]

Thanks for the quick reply. With regards to your wife's car, was there any 
noise associated with the rear bearing problem you mentioned? I've heard that 
bearings usually make a pretty distinctive sound when they go...again, I hear 
nothing back there. Could it still be the bearings?

If it were the bearings, how complicated a job is it? Should I get 
the "special tool" mentioned in the archives or just use a hammer? Could I 
rent the tool? Any info on this procedure would be helpful.

Thanks Again

--
Blu
'88 80q--201,000mi. 
> Tyre pressures, shocks, bushes, ball joints.
> 
> The list is almost endless and doesn't just affect quattros.
> 
> Years ago I had a car which 'floated' every so often, the steering would
> feel light usually just after a bend. Eventually discovered that a PO had
> fitted incorrect springs on the rear axle.
> My wife had a similar problem with a car, this time it was a rear wheel
> bearing with so much play you could move the wheel a couple of inches.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jim Haseltine
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <bludodger at att.net>
> To: <quattro at audifans.com>
> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 3:03 AM
> Subject: Steering Problems
> 
> 
> > I have been having steering problems with my car. The best way to describe
> > the symptoms would be a "floating" sensation. There is no favoritism to
> one
> > side or the other (as you would experience if the car was pulling).
> Instead
> > the car seems to drift where it wants to go regardless even if the
> steering
> > wheel remains straight ahead. By the way,  there are no abnormal sounds
> while
> > this happens. The problem is accentuated or easier to feel when the car is
> on
> > the highway (at higher speeds and trying to go straight vs. slow and and
> on
> > turns).
> >
> > I am suspecting something is wrong with the rear axles of the car or some
> > component of them (ie. wheel bearings, struts, or control arms). I feel
> this
> > way because I think the problem started up after the car's diff lock was
> > engaged and was driven at high speeds and for an extended time period (30
> > min) with it locked up--(don't ask).
> >
> > My thoughts are that the rear axle sustained abnormal amounts of torque
> > during the diff. lock situation. Has anyone experienced any of this type
> > behavior from their quattro? Does anyone believe that I am on the right
> > track? Any other ideas of where I should start?
> >
> > Thanks for any help
> > --
> > Blu
> > '88 80q--201,000mi.
> >
> > PS I had the car aligned before the diff lock mishap and i do not suspect
> the
> > tires. Could the car just need alignment again?
> > > The piston has to be turned while under slight pressure to help it.
> > >
> > > There is often a big rusty hex indent in the center to help with this,
> > > or two nothes for special tools.  Large pliers used carefully on the
> > > sides work, though.
> > >
> > > > I was hoping this was going to be an easy rear brake pad replacement
> but
> > > > noooooooo.... I have been trying to compress the rear piston but it
> wont
> > > > budge... I literally bent the piston compressor tool.  What am I doing
> > > > wrong???
> > >
> > > -- 
> > > Huw Powell
> > >
> > > http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi
> > >
> > > http://www.humanthoughts.org/
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > quattro at audifans.com
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> >
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> >
> 
>