Audi 4000 Rally Mod - need your advice

[Huw Powell]

> I've got a 4ktq that I use for Rally.

> Suspension for these puppies is always a problem. I used to run
> Bilstein, but after replacing many a cartridge (bent/broken/blown) and
> talking to some Audi shops, I've become disillusioned with them.

> I've also found that there are heavier duty cartridges available for the
> type44 body styles (clearly larger, heavier vehicles). Additionally,
> I've run into a local guy that used to run tmtek and had developed hard
> mounts that fit that body style as well. These are the triangular shaped
> top mounts w/3 securing bolts and center bearing.

> What I'd like to do is have a local racing shop, cut the tops off the
> 4kq front strut towers. Replace with flat steel (horizontal w/the
> ground), with a centered hole. This will allow the type44 hard mounts to
> be bolted to the plate.

Not sure what this has to do with what you said about struts up above. 
But one warning is that the strut tower is made of two layers of steel, 
the mod might be tricky.  One thing I guess it will give you is the 
ability to adjust caster.

> There are a couple of issues I'm mulling over:
> 
> 1.	Will the straight up and down forces be too much for the 3
> mounting bolts?

Well, if they work ok on a heavier car, why wouldn't they be ok?

> 2.	Do I need to fab a new spring retaining plate, or can I match it
> directly to the hard mount?

The spring plate is held to the strut top shaft by the funky castle nut. 
  It does not touch the car body.  Remember that the strut assembly has 
to be able to "move" in two dimensions where it meets the strut tower.

> 3.	I'm thinking that getting the hole centered in the same way as
> stock, and the height of the top spring retaining plate are the most
> important aspects in order not to alter the geometry in any way.

Sounds about right.  You will want the strut top to be at exactly the 
same height as stock (that will place the spring plate correctly, with a 
stock size strut).  Then you do an alignment and hope you got the plate 
close enough to the right place to allow it to be adjusted to the right 
place.

Sounds like an odd job, though - isn't the "next step up" from the basic 
strut setup to install coilovers?

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/