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quattro-digest           Saturday, 18 January 1997     Volume 04 : Number 118

*
*  Welcome to the digest version of the quattro list.
*  See the end of the digest for unsubscribe info.
*  In this issue:
97 Quattro EDL's-what are they?
Re: So what's good about FWD?
Re: Windshield stuff, gas?
Part # for 4KQ rear strut nut?
re: RWD Audi?
Brake light turns red under hard braking in 1990cq
Removing corner lenses
Re: So what's good about FWD?
Re: Ur-quattro question.
Re: So what's good about FWD?
Audi introduces the new coupe
Steve's 20V ur q Fund Parts Sale, Part III
200q oil temp
Re: 97 Quattro EDL's-what are they?
Re: Removing corner lenses
Re: Audi introduces the new coupe
Re: Audi introduces the new coupe

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 16:21:05 -0800
Subject: 97 Quattro EDL's-what are they?

I am somewhat embarassed to admit that I don't know much about the Quattro
system on my 97 A6 Wagon. There really was no question what I was going to
buy, and I tried to find as much information about the current Quattro
generation before I bought out of intense interest, rather than for a
buy/don't buy decision.  Frustratingly, the dealership people were
incredibly ill informed about it, and my Quattro driving brothers (3 of
them) weren't sure, either - a  genuine rarity.

I know all about the previous generations with their locking diffs (my
preference is for these driver controllable units), and I have factory
locking front, center and rear diffs on our 93 LandCruiser.

Here is what I know:  My car has a Gleason-Torsen center differential,
which I am familiar with.  The front drive A6's have an EDL (Electronic
Diff Lock) on their front axles.  There is some vague reference to an EDL
in my manual, but no information whether this is front only, front and
rear, or a mistaken reference to the FWD models.  Even the websites and the
page in the 97 brochures discussing the Quattro system are surprisingly
mute on this subject.

What I want to know is this:  Where are the EDL's on my Quattro (if any),
and how do they work?  Do they achieve full lockup? Are they dry clutches?
Wet clutch packs? How long do they tolerate wheelspin before locking up?
How long before they release? What speed ranges to they work? Can they
handle continuous wheelspin, or do they have a duty cycle?  If there are no
EDL's, what kind of diffs do I have on the axles?

I've had it for a couple weeks, and the other day I put the left front
wheel on an ice patch on my sloping driveway with the others on snow.  The
tire on ice was spinning happily away, while the others pushed me up the
driveway and there did not appear to be any effort to reduce the wheelspin
going on.  It was not uncontrolled wheelspin - seemed to be limited
slightly - but the wheelspin was not brought under control.  I was hoping
it might be stopped by an EDL clamping down or something.  At the very end
of the ice patch, I *thought* I felt some ABS-like buzzing. This was about
a 3 second long test and I had to quit as my wife came out to hop in and
head to the store (amazing how many errands you find to do with a new car).

Here in Idaho, we have an incredible amount of ice - rather like a
Scandanavian country I suppose.  We even run custom siped, studded tires on
the full time 4wd 'Cruiser for safety.  I have plenty of opportunities to
test that tasty Bosch 5th generation ABS, and the Quattro system.

Inquiring minds want to know.  Any input?

TIA

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com



------------------------------

From: dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 16:21:00 -0800
Subject: Re: So what's good about FWD?

Shields wrote:

>But I cannot figure out why anyone would build a FWD car.  You get the
>design constraints of a wheel with both steering and engine attached to
>it, along with all the disadvantages of 2WD, and you also get weight
>transfer to work against you.  There must be some reason everyone is
>making FWD cars.

>Shields.

Having worked in the industry for many years, I can tell you that those
observations are correct.  The primary advantages of FWD over RWD or AWD
accrue to the manufacturers.  They are cost (engine/trans/diff contained in
one unit), packaging (less weight, no trans tunnel intrusion, larger
trunks/fuel tanks), and marketing (the public has been educated to believe
FWD is superior).  The cost advantage, plus the sudden need to downsize and
maintain interior room (packaging) were the primary reasons Detroit made
the incredibly fast and expensive change to FWD during the 80's.

The primary disadvantages to the enthusiast are too numerous to list. Poor
handling, horrible vehicle dynamics, inability to get power to the road
without upsetting the steering, etc are just a few. Unfortunately, we
enthusiasts don't pay the bills - the other 99.999% of the market does.

To John Q. Public (no offense, John) the advantages far outweigh the
disadvantages, so in a sense the manufacturers have done the motoring
public at large a service.  FWD is safer than RWD which it replaced in the
hands of the average US motorist.  This is simply because of the benign
handling of FWD at the limit of adhesion, and the increases in traction in
*some* situations.

That's the short answer from my perspective.  By the way, I had the great
honor of being one of the people at GM who helped kill the FWD
Camaro/Firebird replacement against incredible odds and a sunk investment
of over $100 million.

See ya,
Doug
dmiller@iea.com



------------------------------

From: dmiller@iea.com (Doug Miller)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 16:20:56 -0800
Subject: Re: Windshield stuff, gas?

>In message <116930@sievers.com> quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne) writes:

>(BTW - it's a strange feeling to assess the road approaching and decide that
>there's _just_ _enough_ room to overtake before a bend, do it, and then
>look in
>the mirror to find it still full of 20V!)
>
>--
> Phil Payne
> phil@sievers.com
> Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club

Phil,

As a fellow light fanatic, I thought I'd pass along a tip to you and others
of your ilk.  Reading about the 20v trying to stay out of your spray and
gravel reminded me of a cheap way of protecting your lights from chips and
such.

Get a sheet of a material called static cling vinyl, which is commonly used
by merchants to make signs that cling to shop windows.  In the States, Taco
Bell, Wendy's, etc always have huge full color signs depicting burgers and
things on this material because it sticks well without an adhesive. Cut it
to the shape of your lights, leaving a 1/4 inch gap between the edge of the
vinyl and the edge of the light. This is so the wind can't lift an edge.

Anyhow, I keep my lights covered with 10mm thick clear vinyl. It
dramatically increases the size of projectile required to do damage, and
eliminates the small abrasion sand blasting effects completely. On the down
side, it does slightly deteriorate the beam's optics.  When I am in
conditions that require good optics, (snow, fog, rain) I simply remove
them.  Actually, they are generally covered in daylight when there is no
need for good optics, but damage can occur.

The stuff is cheap, and you could probably ask the merchant if they'll give
you the signs when they are done so you can cut them up (provided they have
enough clear areas) for your use.  Also, try a screen printer who
advertises they do static cling printing.  I may also be able to provide
sources to those of you who are in my area.

I saved your comment (above) on the 20v in your mirrors, because it made me
suck in my breath and remember an incident that happened about 10 years
ago.  I was working for GM headquarters and driving the wheels off my new
Jetta GLI for about 6 months (another good story).  Several times in my
commute back and forth on the Lodge Freeway, I had encountered a guy in a
new GTI and we'd diced it up good naturedly.

This particular day I was feeling good and, being young and stupid, I was
driving WAY too hard for a public road where people don't behave
predictably. As I slalomed my way aggressively through the 3 lanes of
already fast moving traffic, I spotted my GTI buddy ahead and passed him
before he'd even seen me. He immediately came after me and the chase was
on.  Our cars were extremely closely matched, and like other times, there
was little chance he'd pass me based on performance, more likely a bad lane
choice.

The Lodge Freeway where this took place has three lanes, and an 8 foot
elevated breakdown lane off to each side.  Because the freeway is sunken
down 20 feet or so to reduce road noise, the breakdown lanes have a solid
concrete wall at their outer edges that goes up 20 feet to ground level.
The effect is like driving in a narrow slot canyon.  The breakdown lane
surfaces are about a foot above the road surface, with a gently rounded
curb to get onto them.

Coming up to a knot of traffic filling all three lanes, I spontaneously
drove up onto the breakdown lane  beside the fast lane and floored it,
passing at closing rates of 30mph or better.  Amazingly, the GTI was
filling my mirrors when I hazarded a glance while trying not to let the
wall passing a foot from my side at 80mph spook me.  Suddenly, the road
ahead turned sharply and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I
couldn't see more than a second or two in front of me and there was no
break in the fast lane to get into.  I hit my blinker to alert the GTI that
I'd had enough and romped the brakes. At that precise moment, a car being
hooked up to a wrecker appeared in our breakdown lane.  Dragging rubber, I
lofted the GLI off the breakdown lane to avoid a crash and jammed it into a
gap that looked barely big enough for the Jetta.  With all four wheels
briefly locked, I closed to within a few inches of the bumper in front of
me, feeling a little thump as I did.  Looking in my mirror and fearing the
worst, I was astonished to see it full of GTI grille.  He'd pulled it off!
He could not have been a foot from my bumper at any time, or he'd never
have fit into the gap I'd jumped into.  The thump was his bumper kissing
mine as he followed and slightly miscalculated the incredibly precise move.

I'd like to say we pulled off somewhere to have a beer and talk about it,
but the truth of it is we both seemed so shaken by it that we just kind of
waved feebly and separated.  I never saw the GTI again, as I accepted a job
in California a few months later.  Sure would like to hear what it was like
from his vantage point.

See ya,

Doug Miller
dmiller@iea.com




------------------------------

From: "Gary G. Erickson" <erickson@teleport.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 16:30:55 -0800
Subject: Part # for 4KQ rear strut nut?

Why don't I ever find out about these things until the car is apart? 
(Just a rhetorical question here folks.)

A friend's '87 4KQ is down at the local tire shop getting new shocks
installed today.  (Hey, they're cheaper than my usual mechanic, and
they've learned how to read the Bentley manual when I provide it for
them!)

The fronts went off w/o a hitch, but we have a dilemma in doing the
rears.  Apparently, the last person to replace the rear struts didn't
care much how the car went together.  (Hell, they used Gabriel struts!)

Both sides are missing that funky little nut that requires the $45 tool
from Zelenda to remove, so the top nut was bolted right down on top of
the strut bearing.  You _don't_ want to know what those bearings looked
like.

Does anybody (partictularly someone w/ a 4KQ parts fiche!) have the part
number for those little nuts?  I'd like to have the # so that I can give
to the tire shop so they don't have to worry about it.  Normally it
wouldn't be an issue, but since I won't be able to supervise on Monday,
it would make me feel better about it.

TIA!!

Gary

- -----------------------------------------------------------
Gary G. Erickson            Member #82 NW Audi Quattro Club
Business Solution Integrators, Inc.
503-702-5789                  e-mail: erickson@teleport.com

------------------------------

From: JP <palmerj@earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 18:27:47 -0600
Subject: re: RWD Audi?

Hey Luis, Are you going to Raytheon with us?

Maybe someone 'over there' would know more, but I recall a few years
back the BTTC rules allowed AWD cars to be converted to FWD or RWD. I
believe it was the Mondeo that Ford was racing and converted to RWD. 
Im not sure what the rules allowed at that time... if AWD was illegal
for that formula.

Throw enought money at it, and you could have a RWD twin turbo V6.

Jason Palmer
88 5ksquattro
Dallas

------------------------------

From: "John S. Taylor" <#jstaylor@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 19:42:13 -0500
Subject: Brake light turns red under hard braking in 1990cq

Sorry if you already looked at this but I had same symptom on my 87 
5KCSTQW. Turns out the brake reservoir is two pieces -- a metal base and 
a plastic reservoir. The plastic reservoir is anchored to the metal base 
with two seals which, after 10 years, gave way. The plastic reservoir 
was held in place only by gravity. To test this, push down on the front 
of the reservoir. If it rocks, the seals have gone. Because of the 
design of the metal base, the fluid never reached a critically low 
level. However, anytime I went down hill or braked hard, the plastic 
reservoir would rock forward.

Dealer price to repair this was less than $100 to replace the seals. 

Hope this helps

   jst
87 5KCSTQW
Reston VA

------------------------------

From: EARLFOSTER <EARLFOSTER@prodigy.net>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 20:11:46 -0500
Subject: Removing corner lenses

I recently purchased Euro style clear corner lenses and smoked side
markers for my '96 Audi A4Q. I was wondering if anyone knew how to
remove the turn signal lenses and side markers so I can replace them.

------------------------------

From: "Doyt W. Echelberger" <Doyt@poboxes.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 19:43:42 -0500
Subject: Re: So what's good about FWD?

You probably aren't missing anything.... and you ask  "why would anyone
build FWD cars......" 

I think it's all in your perspective of why manufacturers build cars in the
first place....to sell them and to pay the stockholders.

If you  build FWD cars, they sell real well. And emission standards push
manufacturers into satisfying that market with lighter cars having better
gas mileage. 

Almost no one who buys cars, races them. Most car buyers are looking for a
multipurpose vehicle, and accept compromises that will produce such a
vehicle. Since that is where the buyers are, that is what the manufacturers
build in large numbers. And they build them to get good emission test
statistics.

In the US new car market, maybe 3/4 of the buyers need a car that will
perform reasonably well in a 4 season
environment, and will get good mileage, and have a low cost, with plenty of
space inside, or outside in the truck bed in the case of small pickups.

This means, cutting weight, creating flat passenger/cargo compartments
without big tunnels, and having traction at the drive wheels in snow.   

FWD keeps the drive tires loaded, cuts weight of long,heavy drive trains,
and permits flatter floor space in the passenger box...hence, the minivans
and small, cheap, light weight trucks. It's a huge market, especially the
minivan craze that keeps evolving into 2d and 3d generations.

And people buy them, drive them to work, haul stuff on weekends, and maybe
have a couple more vehicles for other purposes.  Like a big conversion van
for camping and traveling with the family. Or a race car for just that
purpose. Or a luxury car that might also do well on the track. 

That leaves niches for BMW, MB, AUDI, etc.

And so that why I think they build FWD cars. Maybe I missed the reasons, but
there must be many, 'cause they are everywhere.

Doyt
 86 4KcsQ,  85 Jetta TD    84 Rabbit D   76 Westfalia     75 Chevy Suburban
old Goldwing in barn
............................................................................
...................................

At 05:52 AM 1/18/97 EDT, you wrote:
>Since all the racers are delurked this might be a good time to ask this.
>
>I can understand the advantages of RWD over AWD -- predictability,
>low weight, low cost, less complexity (= more reliability, quicker
>to market).  And I can understand the advantages of AWD over RWD when
>you have more horsepower than traction.
>
>But I cannot figure out why anyone would build a FWD car.  You get the
>design constraints of a wheel with both steering and engine attached to
>it, along with all the disadvantages of 2WD, and you also get weight
>transfer to work against you.  There must be some reason everyone is
>making FWD cars.
>
>About the only advantage I've heard is that FWD cars are better than
>RWD in a low-traction environment and the only reason I can think of
>for that is that FWD cars always have nose-heavy weight distributions.
>Even if you want a weight balance other than 50-50 (and it doesn't seem
>to me that you would), wouldn't a rear-engine rear-drive car be the way
>to go?  Why aren't Camrys built like that?
>
>I just don't see any advantage to having a front-engine front-drive car,
>*no matter what* your priorities are.  But most cars on the road are
>built like that.  Including non-Quattro Audis.  What am I missing?
>-- 
>Shields.
>
>


------------------------------

From: human <human@nh.ultranet.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 97 20:27:54 -0500
Subject: Re: Ur-quattro question.

- -- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

>>The question that's in my mind is at what exact point did Audi 
>>start putting the fuse box under the hood i.e is there any '83 cars 
>>with such set-up.  Has anyone done a conversion and is it hard i.e. 
>>wire by wire procedure?

>Audi started putting the fuse box under the hood in '84.  

Beg to differ (unless we're only talking 4's/coupes here), have/had 80 5k,81
5k, 83 5kt all with fuse box under hood.  Much better than behind the dash
IMO.  You can get to both sides to work on it if necessary, and jumping the
starter relay is a cinch!  Just say no to knees in the snow...
- --
Huw Powell

HUMAN Speakers

http://www.thebook.com/human-speakers

There's nothing strange about an ax with bloodstains in the barn;
There's always some killing to be done around the farm.

Tom Waits

------------------------------

From: human <human@nh.ultranet.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 97 20:28:01 -0500
Subject: Re: So what's good about FWD?

- -- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

Off the top of my head I think the two main advantages are one, traction -
engine weight over the driving wheels, which is not what I would call a race
criterion but a real world driving criterion, and two - no tunnel necessary
for the driveshaft (and rear differential, axles) leaving more room in the
cockpit.  These translate to a big deal for the every day driver.

Oversteer vs understeer?  I suspect is also an advantage, again for the
every day driver.

There are probably manufacturing considerations to having the entire motive
assembly being at one end of the car also.  Makes a very neat package with a
transverse mounted engine.  (Ugh)

just my .025
- --
Huw Powell

HUMAN Speakers

http://www.thebook.com/human-speakers

There's nothing strange about an ax with bloodstains in the barn;
There's always some killing to be done around the farm.

Tom Waits

------------------------------

From: Psycho Bob <honge@creighton.edu>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 19:27:14 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Audi introduces the new coupe

The new coupe, based on the A3, will be introduced in the auto show later
this year. It looks VERY small -- the car, wheels, and everything.

- ------------- clip here with virtual scissors --------------
************************************************************
Send any interesting roadkills to honge@creighton.edu!
Keyboard stuck error. Press F1 to continue.
Fax (402) 593-8975
Just say "Your lights are on" to DRLs
************************************************************


------------------------------

From: EICHSTEV@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 20:51:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Steve's 20V ur q Fund Parts Sale, Part III

After cleaning the garage of all accumulated junk I've aquired over the past
year or so, its time to get rid of some goodies to make room for more!  So,
here's the stuff...

'90 V8 brake booster         $50
'90 V8 rear axles             $65/each
'90 V8 rear tie rod             $40
'90 V8 ABS sensors, rear   $15/each
'90 V8 rear struts w/ springs  $80/set
Bosch power antenna for '84 &up 5k w/ new mast and gear   $75
Emblems: "5000", "CS", "QUATTRO", '86-'87 5kq, new in bags  $30
K&N air filter for ur q  $15
Three guage panel for early 4k, brown  $10
5k/100/200 memory seat control unit (under seat)  $10
'86-? 5kt Control Pressure Regulator  $25
'90 200q engine harness w/ 2 knock sensors   $80
4k instrument cluster, no speedo.  $40
5k cruise control diaphram w/linkage  $8
5kt exhaust manifold, cracked, repairable  $40
'91 200q block and crank, damaged, crank repairable, block maybe  $5!!!!
FLUKE 75 Digital Multi Meter  $75

AND FINALLY:  '90 7A 20V rebuilt head, header, intake, fuel rail, injectors,
flywheel, clutch, sensors, plumbing, pistons, rods, basically everything
except for block and crank.    BEST OFFER, will separate

Please e-mail me direct w/ all inquiries.  Oh yeah, buyer pays shipping which
normally runs $5 to $15 depending on weight.  

Steve Eiche
'82 Not So Ur q 3B2B

------------------------------

From: RRFS32D@PRODIGY.COM (MR JERRY BEER)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 18:56:32, -0500
Subject: 200q oil temp

Mine also runs right at 80 degrees C during normal driving and hits 
140-145 degrees C on track..  Are all of the 200q's set up wrong by 
AoA?  
Regards,
Jerry
91 200 STEADIA3qw

------------------------------

From: ti@bazooka.amb.org (Ti Kan)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 17:35:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: 97 Quattro EDL's-what are they?

Doug,

Check the quattro list archives at http://www.coimbra.com/quattro
There has been some discussions about EDL on this list.  As well
contrasts of the various generations of Audi quattro system design.
That should answer all your questions.

- -Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 Turbo
80 4000 2.0
- -- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    Internet: ti@amb.org
 //////  UUCP:     ...!uunet!bazooka!ti
///      URL:      http://sunsite.unc.edu/~cddb/tikan/


------------------------------

From: ti@bazooka.amb.org (Ti Kan)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 17:31:36 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Removing corner lenses

EARLFOSTER writes:
> I recently purchased Euro style clear corner lenses and smoked side
> markers for my '96 Audi A4Q. I was wondering if anyone knew how to
> remove the turn signal lenses and side markers so I can replace them.

If I am not mistaken, I remember reading about a procedure for
the removal of the corner lenses (for the purpose of bulb removal)
in the owner's manual.  Check there...

By the way, where did you get these items from?

- -Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 Turbo
80 4000 2.0
- -- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
  ///    Internet: ti@amb.org
 //////  UUCP:     ...!uunet!bazooka!ti
///      URL:      http://sunsite.unc.edu/~cddb/tikan/


------------------------------

From: ScharfR@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 22:48:13 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: Audi introduces the new coupe

In a message dated 97-01-18 20:37:01 EST, honge@creighton.edu (Psycho Bob)
writes:

<< The new coupe, based on the A3, will be introduced in the auto show later
 this year. It looks VERY small -- the car, wheels, and everything. >>

Gee, and I thought the A3 based Coupe was going to be the TT.  Are you
talking about another A3 based Coupe?

------------------------------

From: Psychotic Tickle-me Elmo <honge@creighton.edu>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 22:12:01 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Re: Audi introduces the new coupe

><< The new coupe, based on the A3, will be introduced in the auto show later
> this year. It looks VERY small -- the car, wheels, and everything. >>

>Gee, and I thought the A3 based Coupe was going to be the TT.  Are you
>talking about another A3 based Coupe?

No, it's not TT. It looks like a convertible -- looks exactly like the
current 3-door hatchback A3 with top chopped off -- will be shown off
first. And rumor sayz the coupe will immediately follow soon.

I don't think this will not replace the "traditional" Audi coupes since
the only "AWD" is going to be VW's Synchro. I imagine it's more like a
Miata than anything else.

- ------------- clip here with virtual scissors --------------
************************************************************
Send any interesting roadkills to honge@creighton.edu!
Keyboard stuck error. Press F1 to continue.
Fax (402) 593-8975
Just say "Your lights are on" to DRLs
************************************************************


------------------------------

End of quattro-digest V4 #118
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