Re: CV busters/Re: 85 Coupe GT wheels

["Douglas Hurst Quebbeman" <dougq@iglou.com>]

> > I drive 'em. I break em. No Big Deal, and not worthy of CAPITAL LETTERS
> > or EXCLAIMATION MARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> 
> 'cept when they break pulling out into traffic. BTDT.

In the two months prior to my last CV joint failure, I heard the joint
in question clicking on every turn. From then until failure, I stayed
off the interstate with that car, driving only on local streets.

When it failed, it failed from a stop, making a sharp right turn. Got
out, pushed to side, walked home, took shower, called AAA, got car,
fixed joint (actually mixed parts from two different CV joints of
different but close tolerance groups). Joint still worked last time
I checked it (it's on the 74 100LS which is not running for other reasons).

Plus, I should point out here how, in contrast to the extreme ease of 
CV replacement on my 1980 4000 and my 1984 Coupe GT, the CV joints on a
70-74 100LS are nearly impossible to replace. The outer drivshaft is 
not splined as were those in the 75-77 100LS, and all Audis since. Instead,
it is cylindrical with flats cut in the cylinder at 120 degree spacings.
They tend to rust to the hub. One time, it took a 60-ton press to get the
joint out, and both the joint and hub were destroyed in the process.

Then they went to the splined version... a definite improvement, although they
kept the stupid internal circlip that holds the outer CV joint to the drive
shaft which results in the need for three hands to separate the outer joint
from the shaft. My '80 4000 was this way. The Coupe, however, is just a
joy-the shaft and/or the outer joint (never did find it!) incorporates a
spring-loaded ball bearing which holds the outer joint to the drivshaft,
making removal as easy as a few solid taps with a dead-weight mallet. 

In closing, I recall now, how when I first considered buying my first Audi,
and I asked people of my acquaintance what they knew about front-wheel drive
cars, they all expressed FUD about those darn CV joints. Told me how it
would cost me a lot of money to replace them.

And so they did, until I learned not to worry about them anymore.  -Doug Q
--
-Douglas Hurst Quebbeman (dougq@iglou.com)       [Call me "Doug"]
    QuattroClub USA# 4536     Audi International # 100024
       74 100LS Auto,     84 Coupe GT 
       77 100LS Auto,     86 5Kcstq QLCC 1.8bar  
"The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away."  -Tom Waits