RE: 1990 CQ front strut bearings lasting < 1year!

[Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>]

I've seen aftermarket bearings for CQ's and my 4kq's that look
significantly different than the OEM bearings.  Before you install, I
recommend matching them up to see if they at least look the same.
Although, I have had the same bad clunking noise after installing new
aftermarket bearings, but that was in my 5ktq.  hth!

cya!

-mark nelson

> ----------
> From:
> schulz@iatcmail.ed.ray.com[SMTP:schulz@iatcmail.ed.ray.com]
> Sent: 	Sunday, July 27, 1997 9:02 PM
> To: 	quattro@coimbra.ans.net; audi-20v@avs.com
> Cc: 	qshipq@aol.com; mx@snet.net; iduff@charter.com; Mark Nelson;
> achernus@ball.com
> Subject: 	1990 CQ front strut bearings lasting < 1year!
> 
> Folks, especially those with experience with the 90 or Coupe Quattros,
> Or those running firmer than stock suspensions on your Audis,
> I need your expertise...
> 
> About a year and 10k miles ago, I replaced the strut inserts in my
> 1990
> Coupe Quattro with koni externally adjustable hydraulics (yellows).  
> I replaced the front strut bearings with p/n 811 412 323c (which is 
> referenced on microfiche no. 407-07)
>  
> At the same time, I replaced the dust boots/bump stops, and the lower
> a arm bushings.  Since I live in the Boston, Ma area, I set the konis
> at 1 turn, to keep the ride tolerable.
> 
> At first, I had some problems with the seating of the front passenger
> strut bearing in the strut tower, but it did eventually. 
> 
> Lately, I've noticed a definite increase in "clunking" coming from the
> front. Upon closer examination, I noticed that the center section of
> the
> passenger front strut bearing was jutting out of the strut tower.  I
> appears 
> that they had torn away from the outer section of the bearing.  The
> driver
> front bearing is also partially showing through, but it appears to be 
> more "seated" than showing torn rubber around the center section.  
> 
> I have NOT bottomed out the car.  I use it as my daily driver, and it
> has 
> never seen the track.
> 
> I thought that I followed Bentley and lister's instructions.  Did I do
> something wrong with the installation?  I bought oem parts from one of
> the
> recommended aftermarket vendors on the list.
> 
> Defective parts? or defective installer/driver (me?)
> 
> Thanks in advance for any tips/clues, etc!
> 
> Peter Schulz
> 1990 Coupe Quattro
> schulz@ed.ray.com
> 
>