[s-cars] Re: a very rough Audi weekend

[Fred Munro]

Wow, you were lucky ( or skilled, or both) on this one, Marc! Glad you or
the car weren't badly hurt.

As other listers have pointed out ( and many more will yet, I'm sure), it is
wise to use factory hardware on critical suspension parts, since the design
engineers are often aware of issues we are not. That being said, you may
have another issue with the ball joint socket. This is supposed to be a
clamped joint and the ball joint shouldn't be moving around enough in the
socket to wear out the threads on the bolt. You may want to thoroughly
inspect the socket to ensure it is not deformed and the slot is clear of
rust and debris. If someone has tried to pry open the slot to remove a ball
joint, the socket may be toast. The clamping force is what should be holding
the joint in place, not the shoulder of the bolt.
I just changed the RF control arm on my S4 - just couldn't get enough
leverage at home, so I had to take it to the dealer. It took two mechanics,
a lift, and a 6 foot steel bar to get the ball joint out. Now that sucker
was clamped (and rusted)!.

Good luck with the body work, and check the other ball joint!

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 Marc Swanson
Sent: July 21, 2003 12:40 PM
To: james accordino
Cc: quattro at audifans.com; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] Re: a very rough Audi weekend



> I meant on the actual ball joint shaft.

woops, I read that too fast.  I see what you mean.  Not sure that would
really help any as far as preventing it from popping out (that's what
the bolt is supposed to be for).



> Good, but I thought the stock ones were nylok style.

you're right, they are.  As are lots of other suspension nuts like the
ball joint retaining nuts that hold the ball joint to the control arm.



> > Thanks Jim.  I'll use this incident as an excuse to
> > fix all those dents
> > I've been meaning to pop out while it is at the body
> > shop anyway....
>
> What dents?  Your car looks great.


a few years back my car was in my garage and a shelf support broke,
dumping a bunch of hardware onto the side of the car:


http://tinyurl.com/hky6

 I got an insurance check but never fixed the dents.  Might as well get
to that now!


--
-Marc
87' 4ktq
88' 90q
www.mswanson.com/audi

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