RE: 84 5KT shocks

[Sandy Duffy <sandyduffy@home.com>]

You stated:

>My 84 5000 turbo still has the original shocks (it's only got 68K miles)
>and lately I am observing a curious phenonmenon...  The front shocks seem
>to be getting *stiffer*!  That's quite strange. 
>Any ideas what's going on here?  Maybe it's not a shock-related issue
>and there is something else amiss in my suspension?

TI

Your shocks are bent near the top of their travel and should be replaced
The next thing that will happen is the car will shimmy and feel as if it
has lost all directional stability for just the briefest of moments.  If
you ignore this the moments get longer and more loosey-goosey.  If you
still ignore, this the car will begin to change lanes by itself at freeway
speed. THAT will get your full and undivided attention believe me!

I know all of this from first hand experience in an 84 5K 5 speed.  I
replaced every ball joint, bushing, suspension member in sight but couldn't
solve the problem.  I didn't replace the shocks they seemed  tight (too
tight as I discovered)and had excellent damping characteristics when
exercised in any garage I took it to.  Finally, I found the problem during
a VERY exciting dyno test (but that's a whole other story)

Anyway the first sign of all of this that I had, was the ride becoming
stiffer and the overall handling of the car "improving".  It turned out
that the Audi gods, feeling a sacrifice was in order, were lulling me into
a false sense of security about the shocks.

Hope this helps

Sandy