RE: Wheel bearing?

["Dan Cooke cooke@bng.ge.com" <COOKE@bng.ge.com>]

>
>Car: 1986 Audi 4000 CS Quattro
>
> For the past few weeks, I've noticed a humming noise coming from the 
>rear of the car.
>
>                       When I turn to the left, it goes away. If I turn 
>to the right, it is a bit louder then when driving straight. 
>
> Does this sound like the wheel bearing? Or maybe the joint? How hard is 
>it to replace? 
>
>    STEve
>

 I had the same problem on my 86 4000csq last month (turn left, goes away;
 turn right, gets louder).  It was definitely the left rear wheel bearing.

 I ordered the wheel bearing kit from IPC for about $60.--.  As far as 
 installing it, I took the strut assembly out and had a shop press out the
 old one and install the new bearing.  Then I reassembled everything.

  The hardest part was getting to nut on top of the strut.  I removed the 
 rear seat so I could lift the rear deck up high enough to remove the nut.

  The ball joints were pretty tough to remove as well.  I used lots of 
 lubricating spray and elbow grease.  Use a long bar to apply pressure to
 separate the joint an a hammer.  Don't strike the bolt or the nut, just
 the housing that the bolt goes through.  Eventually it will come loose.

  Reassembly takes a quarter of the time it takes to disassemble.  

Dan