RE: Coupe GT Steering Linkage

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Things to check:
1) Tie rod outer (most common) and inner ends. Let an assistant move the
steering wheel while you observe them. New outer tie rod end is about
$25, not sure about inner ones.
2) Worn steering column joints. Dig into driver's side footwell so you
can see where the steering column enters the firewall. Move the steering
wheel. If the lower part of steering column does not follow the movement
of the steering wheel, the steering column bushings are shot. This
shouldn't cost more than a couple of bucks.
3) If tie rods and steering column are OK, it means the fault is in
steering rack and/or gear. It is worth giving it an adjustment before
considering replacing. To do this, tighten the adjusting nut (the 10mm
one on the steering gear cover) 20 degrees and test drive the car. If
the steering is still loose, tighten another 20 degrees. If the steering
feels too heavy and does not self-centre, loosen 20 degrees. Mind you:
if the steering gear or rack sleeve is really worn, this won't help. In
this case $400 estimate is right.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Michael Williams [SMTP:daserde@ucla.edu]
> Sent:	Sunday, November 23, 1997 7:42 AM
> To:	quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Subject:	Coupe GT Steering Linkage
> 
> Hey all I have a question about the linkage in the steering for the 85
> 
> Coupe that i am trying to sell.  My question is how much it would cost
> to 
> fix it.  I am trying to sell the car, and the guy who wants to buy it
> has 
> an approximate cost of 400 dollars.  The symptoms are that there is a 
> large looseness off center where i could just move the wheel about
> maybe 
> 10 degrees off center with no feel whatsoever and then there would be 
> steering.  Anyway, that is what the problem is, and i am hoping that 
> someone could tell me if it is the linkage or something else...
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance.  And i have to say that i would be lost without
> this 
> list.  thank you to everyone who has ever helped me with anything.
> 
> Later!
> 
> 
> 
> Michael Sheridan Williams
> 
> My new one: 1985 4000 S Quattro
> 169,000+ miles, and going like a new car
> 
> 1985 Coupe GT(for sale, cheap, $1000)
> 163,000+ miles
> 
> http://members.aol.com/daserde2
>