Re: Jamex Strut Bar installation questions and a WARNING.

[Huw Powell <audi@mediaone.net>]

> I am currently in the process of installing the Jamex Strut Bar to my
> 4KQ. The supplied instructions for installation are weak. Surfing some
> websites has helped (esp. Huw's), however, I have a question no one
> seems to have encountered.
> 
> The dished cap at the top of the strut tower, underneath the strut nut
> is elevated by the thickness of the strut bar attachment fitting (.175")
> when this fitting is installed underneath the cap . Under normal
> conditions, when the strut bearing is fully engaged in the strut tower
> from underneath, i.e., supporting the vehicle's weight, this dished cap
> extends down far enough to contact the strut bearing [snip]
> 
> Since Audi seems to have allowed a small amount of lateral play in the
> strut bearing under cornering forces, under normal strut bearing
> installation condition, perhaps this explains the sudden improvement in
> tightness or response that some people notice when they have installed
> the strut bar. 

some people have vaguely mentioned this issue.  On my car, the dished
"caps" (I think of them as safety washers, they just stop the struts
from falling out when airborne) touch *nothing* except the nuts above
and below them when the car is on the ground.  They even move around at
all sorts of angles when the steering is pointed funny.

If those "caps" are actually clamped tight to the strut bar plates, your
front end won't move around like it is supposed to.  (struts angle in
and out with bumps, fore and aft slightly and in and out with steering,
etc.)

There do seem to be two different strut bearings out there, one a lot
thicker than the other.  maybe the thin one will resolve the question?

-- 
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