RE: play in rack (82 Cpe)

["ANDREW FINNEY" <DFINNEY@classic.msn.com>]

My story also includes the following. 

I know the gland nuts that hold the strut inserts are totally tight. Plus my 
tires were balanced 400 miles ago. Arrgghh. This is pissing me off. To work so 
hard and spend so much money and time (I actually slung the subframe over my 
shoulder and hopped in a cab to the machine shop with KY in hand) and not to 
have TOTAL solidity is annoying. Please keep me posted. I am toying with the 
notion that it may still be the rack exacerbated by badly worn tires. CV 
joints may click, or cause shudder on acceleration, but I don't think they'd 
cause this shimmy of the steering wheel. As for the wheel bearings, who knows. 
Arrgghh.

Andrew Finney
1983 UrQ.

-----Original Message-----
From:	Huw Powell 
Sent:	Tuesday, August 25, 1998 2:22 AM
To:	ANDREW FINNEY
Subject:	Re: play in rack (82 Cpe)

My God Andrew, 

Except for the part about actually replacing the rack, your story sounds
*exactly* like my original post!

Whole damn front end is new except bearings and bearing holders
(bearings seem fine, ball joints test fine), tires are used but freshly
balanced.  


I get a nerve wrecking small clunk, not all the time, but usually at the
end of braking or on take off.

I worry it may be this rack play, which I would characterize as about
5-10 degrees of axial play in the rack, but I have to check my subframe
bolts and strut "cap" thingies first.

I really want to look at a car with no problem at this point to see if
the play is normal.

We may have to get a bulk discount on racks for our cars!

ANDREW FINNEY wrote:
> 
> This Saturday I decided to tackle the steering rack in my UrQ. (Same part as
> every 4000) I was getting a strange vibration in the steering wheel (right 
to
> left jiggling) between 60 and 70 mph and upon heavy sudden braking. I have
> replaced every single bushing and shock in the front end including tierod
> ends, except for the CV joints and wheel bearings. There is no play in the
> wheel bearings although I wouldn't be surprised if someone tells me that
> doesn't matter, that they're dead any way. Tires may be the cause but I 
would
> settle for a solid feeling jiggle, this feels like there's some play.
> 
> Well, instead of springing for a $300 rebuilt rack I junkyarded one for $35
> off a 1987 4000. Put it in, it made no difference whatsovever. Both the 
racks
> have this up and down play of the main shaft of 1/2 inch when you use the
> tierod as a lever. Should that wiggle be there? I am running out of patience
> here. In every way the front end is like a new car with all the work I've
> done, but this annoying jiggle at 60 mph has got to go. Can anyone help?
> Thanks.
> 
> Andrew Finney
> 1983 UrQ

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.thebook.com/human-speakers/audi-main.htm

"This is the place where death rejoices to teach those who live."

Usually it is written in Latin.