upper strut bearings

["Perry, Christopher" <christopher.perry@cotelligent.com>]

Hi all,
just thought I'd share my experience.  I replaced the right front upper
strut bearing on my 89 90q on Saturday. Unfortunately I had to go to the
dealer to buy it and they only had one -I have ordered another. At least
it was only $21.00US - just 4 bucks more than my regular parts source.
Part of the reason I had to go with the Dealer was that the one I
removed from my car was much ('bout 1/2 inch PN 8A0 412 355 D) shorter
than the one in the catalog at my source. Audi apparently changed the
height of the bearing(to change camber?) and it is now not the same as
the ones used on the 4K. 

Having replaced the bearing on only one side I find that the car pulls
to that side.  I think this is because the rubber portion of the other
bearing is permanently compressed from wear and therefore the length of
the suspension from top of bearing to wheel hub is shorter thereby
affecting alignment.

Point being that these should probably be done in pairs. I am hoping
that since the car had a good alignment  when both bearings were worn
that when I put the other new bearing in the alignment will return to
normal.

Instead of following the Bentley and removing the axle bolt and ball
joint I removed the two bolts that join the strut cartridge housing to
the hub -  after scribing them both to ease reassembly.  This method was
excellent. Total time for job was less than one hour! I used a $15.00US
set of spring compressors and OTC makes the tool $16.95US for the
slotted nut that holds the whole thing together.

HTH
chris perry