[s-cars] Odd suspension behavior

[David Kase]

Some companies recommend filling the void with anti-freeze.  I always 
use motor oil. 

David Kase



Mtgadbois at aol.com wrote:
> Hi,
>  
> I did mine with tape years ago and no noise so far.  FWIW, I recall  that 
> Koni recommended (30 years ago)filling up the air space in the strut  with oil.  
> Their reasoning was that the oil would facilitate shock  cooling.  I would 
> think it would also help keep water out of the  strut. 
>  
> mark near Chicago
>
> Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:55:49 -0700
> From: "Alvin Labonite"  <alabonite at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Odd suspension  behavior
> To: stott at gwi.net
> Cc:  s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID:
> <906bff800803121055uc6586bbm71d5457ccf96e97a at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> What I did with mine was I wrapped the  bottom of the Bisltein insert tube
> with duct tape  jsut enough to make  it a tight fit to the housing to lessen
> the play and vibration down there. So  far it is quite.
>
> On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 10:38 AM, Stott Hare  <stott at gwi.net> wrote:
>
>   
>> My front Bilstein inserts would ingest  enough water/leak enough oil
>> whatever
>> into the strut housing  each winter that they would freeze up, giving teeth
>> jarring pothole  impacts until the fluid in the strut melted/slushed up.
>>
>> After my  second annual warranty swap and complaining to Bilstein tech,
>>  they
>> suggested drilling a small hole in the bottom of the strut housing  to
>> allow
>> any ingested/leaked fluids to drain out.  When I  removed the dead inserts
>> to
>> return for warranty, I did have a  significant amount of fluid pour out of
>> the strut  housing.
>>
>> Not sure if yours is a similar issue, and it happening  when warm not cold
>> doesn't seem to jive, but another data point for you  to consider.  Failing
>> upper strut bearing?
>>
>>  YMMV,
>> Stott
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From:  s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
>> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]  On Behalf Of yo-cello at comcast.net
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 12:10  PM
>> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
>> Subject: [s-cars] Odd suspension  behaviour
>>
>> Well, the pot holes are exceptionally bad this year in  northern VT.   As a
>> result I'm experiencing some pretty  jarring behaviour with my front
>> suspension.
>>
>> The victim,  a 95.5 S6 avant, does have Bilstein Sports and H&R springs.
>> Stiff  enough to begin with.
>>
>> What I'm experiencing is a clunk in the LF  suspension. It can be heard,
>> but
>> also felt through the dead  pedal. Not only going over rough spots on the
>> road, but also when  turning.  Pulled the car into the garage and
>> everything
>>  appears to be in good shape, and tight.  Control arm bushings and  ball
>> joints look good.  The last time I experienced this, it was  the the strut
>> cap that attaches strut insert to the strut itself had  come loose (the one
>> that's supplied with the bilsteins).  Not the  case here, it's good and
>> tight. Next thought was the snapped spring  issue I've been reading about
>> with the H&R's.  They're fine  too.
>>
>> Now here's the weird thing.  It was around 40 degrees  when I first
>> experienced this.  Monday and yesterday it was  significantly colder
>> (between
>> 0-20 degrees), and the car rides  fine!  Now again this morning at 30
>> degrees
>> it's  back.  WTF?  Any ideas - could this be a bad shock and would  the
>> failure be temperature sensitive?
>>
>> Any insight would  be appreciated!
>>
>> Paul
>> 95.5 S6A
>> 99  A6A
>>     
>
>
>
>
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