(4KCSQ) Ok, this cannot possibly be normal!

[Huw Powell]

> Huw,
> 
> Are you sure that this much movement is normal?

Yes.

> I got a few replies from
> people saying that my strut bearing may be shot.

It could be.  But you can't tell from those pictures.

> Any ideas why an alignment
> shop cant straighten my stuff out?

1. broken or worn suspension part not allowing precision
2. stuck or rusted part not allowing adjustment
3. bad attitude and not wanting to work on it

> I'm going nuts here! Please see my
> earlier post about the alignment issue that I am having.

I saw it.  Undo the nut, etc. and drop the suspension parts.  Then you 
should be able to figure out what is bad and what isn't.

Considering how hard it was whacked, you should be looking closely at 
everything for bending or damage requiring replacement of "non-wear" 
items, too.

>>Please see these pictures of my struts caps under the hood and tell me
> 
> what
> 
>>you think. I have never seen another car do this, but both of my front
>>struts do the same thing. Is this my problem?
>>
>>http://www.up-times.com/Audi/down.jpg
>>http://www.up-times.com/Audi/up.jpg
> 
> 
> It is normal.  Sometimes the strut bearing will "stick" in place and
> they won't drop, bu all that's happening here is the bearing dropping
> out of the top of th strut housing a bit.  The big dished washer is so
> it doesn't fall all the way out if you "get air" in the car.  Or lift it
> up.  The reason for the clearance is that the strut changes angle
> relative to the tower when you are steering and stuff.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/