'84 4ksq Struts (long)

[Bob Gregory <rggpa1@yahoo.com>]

Scene 1:
In 1990, I bought a pair of Boge strut inserts for the 
rear of my '84 4ksq.  My local mechanic removed one rear strut and
called me to say that the Boge was too short and he couldn't get the
nut onto the rod w/o compressing the spring.  I didn't know if this was
bad; he was concerned the rear of the car would be forced into a
permanent squat; and I needed the car back that day.  He said both
original rear struts were still OK so I had him put the strut back in
as is.

Zoom to the present.  I pulled the still new inserts out of a back
corner of my garage in order to send a question to the qlist.  Looked
at the installation instructions (obviously for the first time ever)
and, behold! they say that if the cartridge is fitted with a rebound
stop internal spring, it's not possible to extend the piston rod by
hand to the real maximum length!  (May be up to 70 mm less than max.) 
Therefore you have to compress the spring so that you can install the
nut.

Well this seems to answer my question before it was fully formed (9
years and counting).  But, since I've written this much already, I'll
ask anyway.  Does this sound normal to anyone?

Here are the part numbers.  Sure sound like they are the right ones:

On box:  32-977-6 Audi Quattro (80) rear
On cartridge:  1 0201 32 977 6

Scene 2:
The present, same car, front end.
Last year's (February 1998) inspection attempt failed because right
front strut insert "broken".  Car had just been repaired from "total"
wreck ($3300 body work on front rt fender and bumper on $2900 car; car
insurance gives me the willies!).  Dealer cost to replace both struts
(State of PA does not allow authorized inspection/ repair center to
replace only one - sounds slightly funky to me but I guess I accept
that) is about $450.  Economics of car repair thrown wildly out of
whack.  Wife incredulous regarding my loyalty to hunk of metal.  Car
has been in garage since while I sulk.  But I'm re-energized and
(should be) committed to get the car back on the road so I decided I'm
going to do the struts (f and r) myself.

The front struts were replaced, during Scene 1 described above, with
Boge Turbo TS cartridges.  Now the question:  I remember that the Turbo
TS came with a lifetime warranty.  Can anyone confirm this?  I found my
receipt and install instructions for those cartridges and there is no
mention of warranty.  My local parts guy gave me a phone # for Boge in
Atlanta; before I call and try to get a free strut, I'd like to know if
my memory is accurate.  Anyone have a clue?

Help me maitain my resolve!

TIA
Bob Gregory
'84 4ksq
'88 90q
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