[s-cars] Creeeeak, creeeeeak, creeeeeeak -Tired of those

[Fred Munro]

Ummm, I can't say you are wrong about aluminium components, Rolf, but my car
has steel suspension components - as do all of the UrS cars.

With any of these modifications it is wise to be cautious and err on the
side of safety. I would not recommend anyone modify suspension components
unless they are comfortable with what they are doing and are willing to
accept the consequences. Heck, a good lawyer could probably shred someone
who got into an accident with big red brakes for using non-Audi-OEM
components on a critical safety system, let alone someone who is drilling
holes in suspension bits.

Having said that, I do know of a large Audi dealership in a major city where
the techs drill and install grease fittings in all of these (steel) rear
link outer ends they replace - I was told that it keeps the joints from
wearing out. Personally, I would not drill a hole large enough for a grease
fitting in this component.

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: R. Mair [mailto:waves at comcast.net]
Sent: April 4, 2004 11:24 PM
To: Fred Munro; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Creeeeak, creeeeeak, creeeeeeak -Tired of those


I didn't say you are anyone else did it, i'm merely replying to this thread
and my thoughts about the subject. I never took names either, I just noted
the subject and what modifications are being done. I did catch someone
claiming to have or going to drilled an 11mm hole for a grease fitting. I'm
assuming someones math is off, as 11mm is about the diameter of a head bolt.
Anyway, drilling any hole in an aluminum suspension component, wether 11mm
or 1/16th of an inch can create an issue in many ways. It's not the actual
hole, it's the cracks that can develop, or the fact that the fitting or tap
stresses out the hole due to improper installation or wrong size drill bit
for application. I could be wrong, but I can't think of any modern day auto,
truck or racecar that uses a grease fitting on an aluminum suspension or
steering component. And for good reason. Aluminum is light weight and strong
as long as it's not comprimised, and that means drilling. Steel? Not nearly
as much of an issue.
Furthermore, I have seen this modification done on some VW's that come into
my shop for the annual safety inspection, and I flat out fail them.

Rolf


From: "Fred Munro" <munrof at sympatico.ca>
To: "R. Mair" <waves at comcast.net>; <s-car-list at audifans.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 10:54 PM
Subject: RE: [s-cars] Creeeeak, creeeeeak, creeeeeeak -Tired of those


> That's why I didn't drill it for a grease fitting, Rolf. The hole I
drilled
> is about 1/16" in diameter, which isn't going to significantly weaken the
> joint.
> You gotta do what make you comfortable, though.
>
> Fred
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of R. Mair
> Sent: April 4, 2004 9:53 PM
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: [s-cars] Creeeeak, creeeeeak, creeeeeeak -Tired of those
>
>
> I'll tell ya, you need to be very careful with this procedure. You are
> drilling out metal that wasn't designed, nor can tolerate modifications.
If
> you live in the mid west where this are no potholes, then you may be OK. I
> would never do this on my car for the fact that you have now weakend a
> critical suspension component. I beleive there is a way to pry open the
boot
> to apply the grease on the original ones, but on aftermarket I don't know.
> I'd rather have a little noise than have a wheel ready to fall off. Just
my
> 02.