Re: Noisy 87 5ktq front suspension

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Larson <blarson@zeiss.com>
To: QUATTRO@coimbra.ans.net <QUATTRO@coimbra.ans.net>
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 1998 12:14 PM
Subject: Noisy 87 5ktq front suspension


>     Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of the
>     noise in my 5ktq front suspension?
>
>     My 87 5kcstq front suspension makes metallic noises when i
>     am turning the steering wheel at slow speeds, the car drives
>     very well, and all the tie rod ends, etc seem tight.  I
>     looked under the car and and the noise that I am hearing is
>     the springs binding against the top rubber mount and then
>     releasing(audibly).  Should the top strut mounts be
>     greased/replaced?  Is this on a web page somewhere?
>
>     Thanks,
>     Brian Larson
>
>     please reply directly to:blarson@zeiss.com


Brian;

    Your noise is probably coming from the strut upper bearings. The top of
the spring sits on a ball bearing which allows the strut to turn. These
eventually get full of grit or wear out and need replacing. One sign of this
is that the strut turns in jerks as the bearing binds and releases. If the
bearing seizes up, the spring can actually turn on the seat. This is bad.


HTH

Fred Munro
'91 200q  251 k km