Re: Driveline slop (backlash) 4KQ & 80Q

["Jeff Goldberg" <jeffgold@erols.com>]

Jim and Huw,

Well, Jim, I can relate. My 86 4KCSQ had this driveline slop as you define
it in the form of a clunk heard at the rear on loose downshifts and rapid on
& off gas. As you described  your problem, I was listening closely because
your complaint was something I could really relate to.

Then I read Huw's reply and thought what he said made perfect sense.

Now for the punchline.

Because my flywheel was destroyed by a bad starter (I think), the ring gear
needed to be replaced and the front subframe was dropped to remove the
tranny. While it was down I decided to look around a bit. One tranny mount,
at the rear of the front subframe was in pretty bad shape. Told my mechanic
to replace both ($13 each). Well thanks to Huw, one of the last items to
trouble me in this great car is now GONE. No clunk, negligible backlash.

Thanks Huw,

Jeff
86 4KCSQ Daily Driver
86 4KS      Spare
----- Original Message -----
From: Huw Powell <audi@mediaone.net>
To: Jim Howes <JKHOWES@prodigy.net>
Cc: <quattro@audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 11:28 PM
Subject: Re: Driveline slop (backlash) 4KQ & 80Q


> > This question concerns Audi Quattro 4000's & 80's with 5 speed manual
> > transmissions and is about the drive line slop (backlash). I bought a
> > '85 4000 Q with 100K on it. I love the car but was always bothered by
> > the amount of slop there was in the drive line. When you got off the gas
> > then back on it again there would be a noticeable amount of backlash
> > which would have to be taken up before the power would be transmitted to
> > the ground. You learned to live with it and to step on and get off the
> > gas slowly.
>
> > So my question for you is...does your Audi act the same? When your 4000
> > or 80 was new, was it tight or has it always been this way.
>
> I remember driving an 86 4kq back in late 86, with about 25k on it,
> fresh from the 15k service (yah...).  Anyway, no slop in that
> automobile.  You could drive 0 to 100 without any sensation of gearing,
> machinery, or anything, just by toying with the clutch a bit.
>
> I think there are 3 or 4 dozen rubber bushings that slowly wear out
> under that car.  Replace them all, & the ball joints, tie rod ends, and
> struts.  Report back.
>
> --
> Huw Powell
>
> http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/
>
> 82 Audi Coupe; 84 4kq; 85 Coupe GT; 73 F250
>
> http://people.ne.mediaone.net/audi/thoughts.htm