[s-cars] S-CAR-List Digest, Vol 38, Issue 66

[Ingo Rautenberg]

Levent.  Yes, your damper could be shot (but not likely).

If you hear clunking, obviously something is NOT tight.  My guess  
would be tie rod end and/or sway bar bushings.  The rut thing would  
be more in keeping with the loose tie rod end.

IME, of course.

Ingo

On Dec 25, 2006, at 7:49 PM, s-car-list-request at audifans.com wrote:

> From: Levent Cur <levent.cur at charter.net>
> Date: December 25, 2006 7:29:45 PM GMT-05:00
> To: s-car list <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> Subject: [s-cars] I think my steering is shot... Help!
>
>
> So lately since there is no snow, I put my 18" rims back on. I have  
> noticed that the car has a tendency to go with the ruts, but only  
> sometimes. When I come to a stop at a light the steering wheel will  
> move itself slightly to the left (I'm sure following a rut).
>
> Now here is where I'm stumped. All 4 tires are 36psi. All four have  
> even tire wear. Alignment is fine. The car when moving on flat non- 
> rutted roads, as I stop the steering wheel stays straight. The car  
> tracks to the correct side of the road the car is on (to the right  
> on the right side and to the left on the left side, no odd pulling).
>
> The steering damper is 1.5 years old. Can it go bad that quick.  
> Keep in mind my LF strut mount sleeve was completely torn from the  
> mount for about 5 months before I got it replaced, so I'm sure that  
> put un-needed stress on the rack. I have STFA for the past 40  
> minutes reading 7 pages. I may just buy the VW fox one this week  
> and put it in anyways.
>
> Anyone have any ideas, other than the damper? (I hear clunking when  
> the car is stopped and move the wheel left to right. All suspension  
> components are TIGHT.)
>
> -=Levent=-
>