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Diff problem solved

Well, I had my QSW flat bedded to a local VW/Foreign auto place this past Thursday (at the recommendation of the driver) instead of the VW/Audi dealer (which was a wise move... this guy seems to know these cars well!!).

Anyway, he had a chance to look at it on Friday. The verdict: The right rear axle assembly (axle shaft and CV joints) "broke". I haven't seen it, but I think he said it just kinda' snapped in half, and was just spinning freely. So, those of you who diagnosed it as a bad CV joint or some such, you were right (or in the ballpark). I'm just glad to hear that it wasn't the tranny or the diffs.

I'm not sure yet if the problem was caused or aggravated by what NTB did earlier on (i.e. remember the whole stripped bolt/hub snafu?). I have my feeling that yeah, they had something to do with it, but I'll have to talk to this guy about it... and see what he thinks. I might just be able to go back to NTB and have them foot the bill (although, I'm sure that won't be too easy...). It is kinda' ironic, and perhaps maybe too coincidental, that the broken axle shaft just so happened to be the one that they took out, and put back into, the new hub and bearing that they installed. Hmmm....

I'm also grateful to this list, since, through this forum, with this being my first "quattro", I had enough sense/info to make sure that I did not drive it with the center diff locked on drive pavement (and to make sure it was flat bedded). Why? The flatbed driver said he just recently brought another QSW there 'cuz the owner chose to drive around, on dry pavement, with the diffs locked, and "fried" the tranny. Ouch!! Now that's gonna' hurt the wallet!!

So, thanks to everyone for all the feedback, suggestions, sympathy, empathy, and general overall concern. Long Live The List!! Hmmm... maybe a new acronym? LLTL? :-)

I should be getting the car back on Monday, if all goes well. I'll let you know how I make out. Most likely, I'll be telling a story about how much I love driving this car in the rain, the snow, the sleet.... :-)

Take care. Thanks again.



Jim Griffin
JGriff@pobox.com
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/4475/
Maryland, USA
"Perception is often stronger than reality!"
'92 Audi 100S
'87 VW Quantum Syncro Wagon
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