Re: '90 master cyl on '86 5kTQ

[OorQue@aol.com]

>  I bought a TAP upper strut bar for my 86 5kTQ the other
>  day.  It was used, and the guy said that it would fit 87 5kt through 90 
>  or 91.  Anyway, I bought it, and it fits my 86, BUT, the master cylinder
>  reservoir doesn't clear it

The '75-'76 BMW 530i with an automatic used a remote MC reservoir that was 
mounted on the fender ... with just a bit of work, this can be adapted to the 
MC reservoir on your Audi -- I suggest building a mounting bracket that 
clamps on your strut brace -- and should address your problem.  Be sure to 
get the adapters that mount in the MC as well as the special brake-fluid 
resistant hoses that BMW used ... you'll also need to open up the the nipple 
that's been capped off to feed the clutch slave cylinder but all-in-all, it's 
really a pretty straightforward job.

While I'm at it, I'll also point out that the strut braces Electrodyne used 
to sell for the 530i will also fit the Type 44 with only a bit of work ... I 
don't know the brand name, unfortunately, but it was sitting in the garage 
and one day, I thought I'd give it a try ... to my surprise, it fit!  The 
mounting brackets need to be redrilled and clearanced a bit -- ideally, they 
should be replaced with ones designed specifically for the Type 44 chassis -- 
but the bar fits between the firewall and ignition coil, etc. as if it were 
designed for the car.

Of course, I immediately took it off again so I could make the aforesaid 
brackets but then put it aside before I had the chance to drive the car so 
equipped ... still, I assume it should help somewhat on the pre-'91 chassis 
like mine.  :^) 

JG