[s-cars] Lower control arm 'snapping' at ACNA track day & other track failures

[Nathan Belo]

At Bremerton Raceway during an ACNA/QCUSA track day a couple of years ago my
right front a-arm/control arm snapped at the a-arm bushing.  I have an '88
90Q with supposedly Eibach springs and I went through 2 sets of OEM bushings
& decided to replace with polyurethane bushings from (I know, I know) TAP.
I didn't have a press that would help press the bushings in so I used a
socket the same size as the bushing and hammered out the old bushing and
re-installed the new one.  Apparently, this causes a lot of stress on the
metal and there is a seam on the metal that wraps around the bushing and it
just ripped open.  (I have since learned you can drill out the middle and
then use a hacksaw to saw the sleeve out method.)

I was going down a long straight into turn 1 and started braking & noticed
something strange & pulled over.  I had to have the car towed 100 miles for
about $200.  I can't remember the price but it was cheap and my mechanic
just ordered a new a-arm with OEM bushings, with out having to go through
the problems I did of installing bushings.  My '88 90Q isn't running & I've
had suspensions problems from the previous owner's install, where the shock
towers are dented on the top with the shocks almost pushing/busting through.
We had to weld reinforcements to solve the problem.

The a-arm failure was definitely due to my ghetto/mickey mouse/jimmy rig
method of r&r a-arm/control arm bushings.

Here is a list my Audi failures at ACNA/QCUSA track events since joining in
1994.

'88 90Q
1) 1-month old tire chunked so bad the belt was showing. (Due to suspension
set-up & not rotating the tires during the day)  Bremerton Raceway
2) Control Arm snaps. Bremerton Raceway
3) Left rear brake caliper seal blows. Bremerton Raceway
4) Fat Wire leading to alternator catches on fire 20 minutes after tech was
completed & sitting in drivers' meeting.  (Thank you Linus Toy for catching
the smoke & putting out the fire!) Quattro Fest at Portland Intn'l Raceway
(PIR)

'92 S4
5) At 108K miles in 3rd gear I hear a clicking & clacking, thinking the car
behind me was gaining on me.  I look in the rear-view mirror & I see
nothing.  Holy s...! That's me.  Time for 6-speed transmission.

Despite all these failures, I've really learned a lot about cars & driving
as an active member of ACNA/QCUSA & I've found the information learned as
invaluable.  Prior to membership I only knew how to change oil, now
tune-ups, brakes, etc...  Most of all it's sooooo fun!  Expensive hobby!

'88 90Q Needs an engine. For Sale
'92 //S4 IA III+, 95.5 S2 (CGR) 6-spd, & still haven't installed GP Samco
    hoses or upgraded my BPV
'69 Jeep Wagoneer needs electrical help
Nathan Belo
Associate Broker (Residential, Commercial, & Business Opportunities)
Skyline Properties, Inc.
9709 3rd Ave NE, Suite #500
Seattle, WA  98115
206.399.3337