RE: Tire chains...

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

The reason that there were clearance issues typically has something to do
with the fact that the front wheels are also used to steer the car and
usually mean that there are more parts in harm's way.  AFAIK as long as you
use the "type S" chains you'll be OK.  I think the only chains that meet
this requirement are the "cable" chains ... I also recommend getting a set
of straps to ensure that any slack in the chains is taken up on the outer
side of the wheel.  You know, I just remembered that some friend of mine
have these odd traction enhancement devices that attach to the hub of the
wheel.  They use a plastic spider that goes from there to the outside of the
tire.  If they were available for Audis I would imagine they'd be about the
least likely to damage any suspension or steering components.  

As long as the tires on your car are rated M+S there is very little chance
you will be required to install chains ... but you may still be _required_
to show them to the officials (in California it is the law).  Chains should
be fitted to the front tires ... since the front wheels are the ones that
steer and are the wheels where it isn't possible to guarantee that they turn
when the diffs are locked it makes sense.  I actually installed chains on my
ur-q once when driving on unplowed roads in the Sierra when I had Gatorbacks
installed.  Amazingly enough I was still able to drive on that local road
without chains, but it was a lot easier to steer and stop the car with them.


HTH!
Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)

	----------
	From:  Bernard Littau [SMTP:bernardl@acumenassociates.com]
	Sent:  Monday, March 15, 1999 12:29 PM
	To:  quattro group
	Subject:  Tire chains...

	Hi All,

	What kind of tire chains can one put on a 5kq?  What should one
watch out
	for when fitting? (I'm thinking avoid beat-the-strut-to-death if
that's a
	problem on the 5kq -- I know some fwd cars had tolerance issues with
chains)

	How useful are chains in general on a quattro?

	If you fit one pair, if front or rear generally more useful?

	Why am I asking all these questions -- I am heading down to CA from
WA to
	pick up a 5kcs (Yeah! I have a quattro!!!) and drive it back to
Seattle.  My
	father in law, who lives down there in CA, is insisting on
purchasing some
	tire chains for me so I can get over those evil and dreaded
Siskiyous in
	Oregon.

	Now both you and I know that the quattro on a 5k is a more
sophisticated 4x4
	than the Bronco I have, and the chances of needing chains on this
trip, or
	for that matter, any trip, are remote.  Still, I know better than to
argue
	with him, so if he wants to buy chains, it easier just to get
chains.  That
	being the case, I'll want to get the most useful chains I can get,
and know
	as much about chains on a quattro as possible before I use them.

	Thanks,

	Bernard
	Woodinville, WA
	Audi -- soon