Re: 5K Q Owners ! some rear suspension info....(medium length)

[Dale McCormack <profit@mcs.net>]

Rob:
I am having a similar noise in my left rear and the links have already
been replaced.  My dealer simply ordered the replacment "support"
bushing of the trapezoidal arm for a couple of bucks, rather than
replace the entire unit.  Do you think in merited the complete
replacement as you did, or is a replacement of the worn part adequate?
I am planning to have the work done in the next week or two.
Also, is the tool you called a "ball joint separator" also referred to
affectionately as a "pickle fork"?
TIA,
Dale
87 5KSQ  180K+

RCARSELLE@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Some of you listers may have already known this but I wanted to share some
> information which I have learned in the rear suspension of my 88 5KCSTQ.
> 
> I had a right rear suspension noise at low speed, which sounded link loose
> metal or clunking when going over bumps at low speed. It was easier to
> re-create with load/weight in the rear seat of the car.
> 
> I replaced the rear camber links/ Tranverse links / tie rods (all those are
> different names for the same part) on both rear wheels.....actually my car at
> 103k miles probably did not need these replaced but the rear end of the car
> feels better at highway speeds during lane changes, etc....I ordered the
> parts from Blaufergnugen the links are different for each side so be careful
> when ordering but the part # on my invoice is 443 505 351P @ 119.00 each
> link. I did my own labor on the swap out by using 2 - 24 mm sockets, 1 - 22
> mm socket, and I used a ball joint seperator to ease the upper part of the
> link from the subframe. (some folks have used hammers or other Newtonian
> tools) please remember this part actually sets the rear wheel camber...so
> when swapping these out I was careful match the new links length with the old
> links...I think I preserved my camber adjustment pretty well, but please be
> careful if you try that at home.
> 
> The clunking was still there, but the car felt better at speed.
> 
> I kept checking bushings etc... and found the bushing at the front of the
> rear suspension trapezoidal arm is called a support (443511329B) this dealer
> only part has a price tag of $ 282.65 at a friendly Audi dealer. I also was
> quoted $ 310.00 at another dealer. Please note my car is an 88 and the
> Bentley and Audi Fiche both reference a part change in 1986....so you 86'ers
> and before the part is slightly different...I replaced the "support" and wow
> the car felt good and the clunk is gone. The old bushing showed his wear and
> failure after a close inspection...and the reason for my noise was simply the
> washers which surround the bushing were hitting the trap arm and lower body
> of the car during suspension travel....the labor for this part easy as
> well...using 23MM and 17 MM sockets. Please reference a Bentley or Audi fiche
> for the proper tightening torques for your car...mine was 125 ft-lbs...I have
> a feeling that over tightening will tend to cause premature "support"
> failure.
> 
> I would like to thank Eric Fletcher personally for providing some phone
> support during the diagnosis of this problem, and I hope this e-mail is
> useful to at least one fellow member of this fine list.
> 
> RC
> 90 90
> 88 5KCSTQ
> rob carselle - columbus, oh