[s-cars] front end looseness

[Dusten Tornow]

I replaced the front upper strut mounts today, WOW what a difference.  That resolved the majority of the front end looseness and disconnect over man hole covers. 

My steering wheel isn't straight anymore, I'm guessing I didn't line up the strut exactly the same as it was previously.  Do I need an alignment now or is that something I can remedy on my own?  

Thanks guys,
Dusten 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Sylvester [mailto:mike at urq20v.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 12:44 PM
To: Dusten Tornow
Subject: RE: [s-cars] front end looseness

The ball joint does not separate from the lower control arm.
You must buy the whole thing.  Chances are the control arm bushings are bad anyway.
Those can be bought and replaced separately on the arm.
There are inner and outer bushings.
e.g.
http://www.germanautoparts.com/Audi/S6/Suspension/29/1
I don't know what brand they are selling, you'll need to ask.

Don't buy Meyle that stuff is Chinese and doesn't last.

Mike

www.urq20v.com

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [s-cars] front end looseness
> From: Dusten Tornow <Dusten.Tornow at cdw.com>
> Date: Wed, September 29, 2010 12:45 pm
> To: "s-car-list at audifans.com" <s-car-list at audifans.com>
> 
> 
> Good morning -
> 
> Now that my POS drivability issue is resolved, it's time to focus on some front end annoyances.  I'm guessing this is just a common wear item, as they are on e36s.  Here are my symptoms:
> 
> 
> -          Stable at high speeds, no shakes or shimmies at speed.
> 
> -          Light tramlining, when I let off the gas the car will drift slightly to the right.
> 
> -          No unusual behavior when braking.
> 
> -          Front end looseness/disconnect in the steering wheel when hitting pot holes/man hole covers at slow to moderate speeds.
> 
> Past experience tells me that these symptoms are consistent with bad lower ball joints.  Does that sound right?  Can I replace JUST the ball joints, or do I replace the ball joint and control arm as one piece?  A search of the archive shows a preference towards TRW over Meyle, still the case?
> 
> Thanks again!
> Dusten Tornow
> '95 S6 Avant with the shakes
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