Re: thread locking compound

[steveb@newkla.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

Hey there Steve!

Well ... there's someone else named Steve who rides Beemers and drives 
Audis.  I've also looked into KTMs for when I find time to get back off 
the road!  I am jealous that you have a DoD number though ... I'm still 
working on my flaming ability.

WRT thread locking compound ... I've seen that stuff called out in the 
manuals as well, but I've never used anything.  Suggest that you talk to 
the folks in the parts department of your local Audi dealership to find 
out what it is.  Chances are they will have never heard of it.  You might 
also talk to the service manager to find out what they do in practice.  
I've had pretty good luck with those avenues.  

WRT aftermarket bearings ... I haven't done a lot of this, but most of 
the bearings I've pulled have manufacturer part numbers on them.  Once 
you've got a mfr #, you can get a cross reference (if not the exact same 
mfr's part) from a bearing company.  I just looked in the Yellow Pages 
under Bearings.  Even if you can't get a part number it would be possible 
to "mike" the old part.  they might even be able to help you out with an 
unmunged seal.  

I took a different tack on the strut tool.  I had a 1/2" drive ratchet 
(Craftsman ... of course!) that had a center press mechanism for quick 
release that went all the way through the square drive pin.  I disassem-
bled the ratchet and removed the quick release mechanism, which opened 
up a hole almost the perfect size for the hex key to fit down the middle.  
I never put the release mechanism back into the ratchet, but it could be 
done.

Steve Buchholz

'92 BMW K1
'88 5kCSQuattro Wagon
'83 ur-Quattro
'78 Audi Fox