Re: Struts on 86 VW Quattro

[Jeremy R King <kingjer@eng.auburn.edu>]

I've personally replaced the struts on my Quantum and there's definitely
supposed to be the gold-colored cupped metal piece under the strut nut.
The plastic washer around this piece is just to keep from having metal to
metal contact (read noise) if your car ever leaves the ground.  I've also
had the entire front suspension off my car several times.  The underside
of the strut tower should have a strut bearing to take the brunt of the
weight of the car on the strut.

If you want the harder data, I shall supply info from the Quantum Bentley

	From the top of the strut should be:
	Sleeve
	Bump Stop
	Upper spring retainer
	Strut bearing
	Slotted nut
	Threaded cap
	Strut tower on car
	Gold dish thingie (not mentioned, but pictured)
	Strut nut

Sounds to me like Farmer Joe had no clue what he was doing.  Good luck
straightening this one out.  I wouldn't do a whole lot of driving like it
is.

Jeremy R. King
'86 VW Quantum GL5
Auburn University, Alabama, USA

On Sun, 5 May 1996, Antilles Engineering wrote:

> Dear Q-Listers--
> 
> My number 2 *grunt* bucket is an 88 VW Quantum Syncro Wagon.  (The Pristine
> Beauty is a 1990 200 QTS which only comes out when the sun shines).  
> 
> Zeeee  problemo is that I had the VW's front struts replaced recently (by a
> Vt mechanic who is a nice guy but is definitely better qualified at milking
> cows than fixin'  Quattros.).  After paying the bill, I  immediately
> experienced rude noises coming from the front end.  Sounded like Barney was
> flogging  his tail againt the underbelly when ever I went over a frost heave
> (which we have aplenty in VT this time of year.) 
> 
> I pulled the plastic caps off the top of the struts in the engine
> compartment and discovered that the  shafts of the struts  had *only* nuts
> securing them where the shafts came up through the holes in the sheet metel,
> and  unlike the Pristine Beautry,  has a plastic washer and a domed metal
> plate beneath the nut (presumedly to distribute the pounding that the strut
> induces),  there weren't nuttin except the shaft slopping up and down
> (here-abouts half an inch of play or closer still, 'bout the width of a
> cow's tit) with only the nut to keep it from falling out of the hole in the
> sheet metal.)
> 
> Me thinks that the Prinstine Beauty's setup is probably pretty much the same
> as the VW's should be--i.e., a plastic washer, topped by a domed metal
> plate, secured by an aircraft-like nut (the type with the plastic insert).
> I also presume that there should be a similar arrangement underneath the
> body panel to distribute the strain in like manner given the push-pull
> nature of struts (we use to call them "shocks.")
> 
> Is this essentially the arrangement?  And if so, what caliber of hoss pistol
> do I use on this mechanic egg-sucker?  (Yes--we still have the right to bear
> arms.  **Big** ones.  Eat your heart out, MA/NYand CT/-Q-owners.)
> 
> Or am I all wet with cow do-do re my perverse technical analysis?
> Intemperate but accuracte  comments welcomed (particularly if you are
> quoting Bentley chapter and verse), which I will share with my VT cow
> keeper-cum-mechanic.
> Doug Terman
> Antilles Engineering, Ltd.
> snail:   PO Box 318, VT 05674
> voice:  (802) 496 3812
> fax:       (802) 496 3814
>