RE: 4000q front strut tops

["Iain Atkinson (ETL)" <iain.atkinson@etl.ericsson.se>]

-----Original Message-----
From:	Iain Atkinson (ETL) 
Sent:	30 September 1999 08:45
To:	'Frank de Kat'
Cc:	'qauttro@audifans.com'
Subject:	RE: 4000q front strut tops

Frank

I had exactly the same question when I changed my shocks and top mounts on my Coupe Q, the old top mounts allowed this cap/spacer/dished washer whatever you call it to sit flush with the body, on re newing the top mounts it now sits approx a finger's width up.  This I understand is the correct position, I also mailed the list on this., and had a couple of responses to this effect. I bought genuine Audi black mounts which are the correct ones for my car. I was told the reason for this washer is to prevent the strut from falling out when the suspension is at full extension, I don't whether this is true because of other components preventing this as well, I rather think not, it's more likely to stop the mount itself from moving thereby possibly altering the camber, I am sure they would to some degree shape/ mould themselves to the inside of the body.

Certainly when I am in scrap yards I still look at other Coupes/ 4000's just for the hell of it and the vast majority are have  the fingers width up measurement. I was in one only yesterday getting some bits off an '85 Audi 80 (same as 4000 basically) and that was the same. My conclusion is that if this washer is on the body then it indicates bad top mounts, only my opinion you understand, the top mounts I took off my car were pretty worn and it now feels like new having gone the whole hog with other bushes etc etc.


HTH


Iain

-----Original Message-----
From:	Frank de Kat [mailto:fdekat@sentex.net]
Sent:	30 September 1999 03:18
To:	quattro@audifans.com
Subject:	4000q front strut tops

I have a question, that my 'database' of the one Audi 4000q I own won't
help me with.

Here's the (long) question..

I'm talking about the metal 'caps' the center the top of the frot struts.
This metal cap is under the black plastic covers on the strut tops, and is
what the large nut that holds the strut in bolts onto.

On my 4000q, the metal 'cap' sits about the hight of my finger above the
fender. When I jack up the car, the strut goes down that half inch, before
starting to lift with the car. 
A friend who has a 4000q also, says his caps are right against his fender
at rest. Then he looked at his parts 4000q. It's the same as mine, with the
cap sitting a bit above the fender.

It strikes me that this extra bit of height is not a good thing, especially
when doing 'brisk' navigational rallies, where there is sometimes
opportunity of 'negative weight' on the struts.

I'm also wondering if this oddness has anything to do with the different
strut bushings that seem available.. Seems there are blue and black, And
they are not the same height? Would this height difference show up at the
strut top?

The bently book does not show enough detail to really let yoou know what's
happening here...

If there is a choice of parts, my preference would be for the extra ride
height, as I do some road rallies occasionally. My sump guard hangs low
enough as is...


Any thoughts? Anyone else have the same situation?


Regards!







Frank de Kat 
fdekat@sentex.net   
Dundas, Ontario, Canada

http://www.sentex.net/~fdekat
To see "The Rally Pictures"