CGT off throttle or engine braking noise, etc.

[Ken <kkeith@qnet.com>]

Folks,

I posted this question once before, no real solutions yet.  It has
occurred to me that it may be the right side(?) engine mount.

My '86 Coupe GT exhibits some kind of groaning noise or chassis
vibration from the engine when I'm off the throttle or engine braking. 
I first thought this was due to the engine rocking fore and aft and
touching the floor when I let off the gas, but tonite I was thinking it
might be rotating longitudinally (or is that longitudally?), or from
left to right instead, since the engine revs that way.

I know that the side engine mounts are fluid filled or something, and I
was thinking that if they go "out", then the engine may rest directly on
the subframe.  Does anyone have any experience with them going out? 
What are the symptoms?  What are some other possible causes of this
noise/vibration?  Yes, I know they're spendy! :-(

I first thought it was only in fifth when it happens, but I realized
it's in every gear when I let off the throttle.  It seems I only let off
the throttle when I'm in fifth! ;-)

I've also got a "loose" type of feeling at the right front wheel.  What
are the symptoms of the ball joint going bad?  I've got the TAP urethane
bushings, and I don't know if it's 'cause of them.  My strut housings
are also modified (shorter) to accept Scirocco struts, and I had to
"omit" the metal bushing that applies the nuts pressure to the strut
shaft instead of the strut bearing, so that might be a possible cause. 
Yes, I know...I plan on someday getting a bushing in there.  I need ones
that are totally non-threaded, unlike the original, half-threaded ones. 
The Scirocco struts are not threaded all the way down the reduced part
of the shaft like the Coupe struts, so I couldn't use the original
ones.  I could drill out the threads, someday, if I could find the
bushings.

Please let me know where to focus my attention on, the ball joints,
struts bearing/missing bushing, or maybe even worn out (they're so damn
hard!) control arm bushings.  God forbid it's the "ovaled control arm
bushing hole" thing.

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards,

Ken

p.s.  Everybody tells me not to bother with a turbo in a FWD car.  Go
for the quattro, they say.  Yeah, I know, I know.  But then I start
thinking...  What about all those 350 horsepower turbo VR6's? or the
very fast turbo Saab's? or the Drag turbo kits for the *blank* Si's?  or
the FWD turbo Diamond-Star trios (I think they come in 2WD too, right?)?
or any other insane FWD turbos?

I think just because quattros exist, people don't give FWD Audis enough
credit.  A turbo Coupe GT would be alot of fun, I think.  More fun with
quattro, but not worthless without, no?

Maybe I'm just defensive about my "draggin' ass" FWD Audi! ;-)  I'll ask
my friend if I can drive his 4ksq, and let you know if I see the
light...
-- 
               <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Ken Keith^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^>
               >   '86 Audi Coupe GT (AZEV, ABT, Borla, K&N) <
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