Alignment issue? CV Joint?

[Paul Heneghan]

From: Rob Beatty [mailto:beattyr2003 at cox.net]
Sent: 01 December 2008 22:48
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: Alignment issue? CV Joint?

>1.	The inner "end" isn't really a joint, its just a rubber bushing so
>what the hell was the 1st guy talking about?  Did he just confuse inner
with
>outer?

Probably.  I suppose the inner bushing could wear (particularly if it got
some steering rack fluid on it), but I've never known it happen - it's
always the outer joints that develop too much play.

>2.	I just jacked the car up and rocked the right front wheel back and
>forth and there is a decent amount of play in that tie rod end.  Could that
>be my culprit?

Yes.  There should be no play.

>3.	If it is the tie rod end, why isn't it a problem at lower speeds and
>why only when turning to the left?

Small out-of-balance problems are never obvious at low speeds.  If there is
any play in the linkages, you can get a resonance.

It's also worth checking the bearing (RHS).  I had a violent shimmy when
turning left that turned out to be a worn wheel bearing.

>4.	Is it worth trying to unfreeze the adjustments with a couple of days
>worth of penetrating oil or should I just bite the bullet and buy whole new
>rods?

I went through this process a few weeks ago.  I wasted hours trying to free
the adjustments with the entire rod still on the car.  Eventually I decided
to take the entire rod off (it only took a few minutes), and then it was so
easy to undo.  I had already tried lots of penetrating fluid and a plumber's
blowtorch.

>5.	If its not the tie rod end, could it be my CV joint on that side
>being really bad?

Possibly, but I've always found that they tend to clunk during full lock
rather than create a shimmy.

With a car of that age, you should also think about the tracking control
arms - particularly the outer rubber mountings.

Good luck!