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fredrikl · Guest

Hello,

When I pull/push the upper edge of my front tires back and forth there is a substantial amount of play. I first supspected the wheel bearings but they checked out OK. Now I am instead suspecting the suspension struts, and the bearing at the top in particular. Does this make any sense? Please let me know! If not, are there any other suggestions? (And yes, the wheel bolts ARE tight

Best wishes,
Fredrik L
924 NA 1982

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2001 4:41 am Post subject:

Firstly check that there is no oil leahing around the seal of the strut itself, this is a point where you can find play if worn out. There is a bearing in the strut top as well that can wear out. Also, try putting you car on jack stands, then jack under the troubled wheel and see if the mount has broken free. These are the points that could be worn in relation to your strut. Let us know if this helps or not.

fredrikl · Guest

Thanks for your reply.

There was a very small amount of oil on one side, but I wouldn't say that the play is arising there. I will check it more closely.

My main suspicion is now the metal bearing or a rubber bushing at the top op the strut. I can actually feel the top nut inside the engine bay moving back and forth a little bit when I pull/push the wheel. This is not normal, am I right? Has anyone on this board ever replaced any of the parts in the top of the strut?

Best wishes,
Fredrik

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2001 8:25 am Post subject:

Yes, this is a commom problem with strut tops when the rubber around them fails.

fredrikl · Guest

Hi again,

Now I am also noticing steering wheel vibration which comes above 70 mph and gets stronger as the speed increases. I have a feeling that the vibrations come and go a little bit, even at the same speed, but it's hard to know for sure.

Could this have to do with the play at the wheels? I swapped wheels rear/front and the vibrations are still there so wheel unbalance should be out of the question. Could it be warped brake disc(s)? The reason I ask is that the interior of car vibrates when I hit the brake at 70 mph+ speeds. I can also vaguely feel something in the brake pedal.

Is there an easy way of seeing if the discs are warped?

Any suggestions?

cheers,
Fredrik

[ This Message was edited by: fredrikl on 2001-10-09 08:52 ]

Guest · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2001 10:46 am Post subject:

Unless you have retified the play in the strut/wheel area I wouldn,t go looking anywhere else. Fix the problem you have found first. You can,t rule out tire balance by rotation, you may be just moving the problem around the car. Inspect the tires for broken belts or 'flat' spots, this causes intermitant vibration at different speeds. Did you check out your strut tops yet?

924RACR · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2001 11:53 am Post subject:

If the car/pedal is vibrating when you squeeze the brakes, then you should have the discs turned or replaced. That is how you tell if they're warped, if you don't have a dial gauge to check the runout.

Fix the upper strut mounts, they're cheap and well worth it. Likewise do the a-arm bushings, also very cheap, though less easy to do. Balljoints and tie rod ends are also suspect; all are wear points in the front end.

Don't try to go cheap and not replace these items - unless you enjoy the foot/arm/shoulder/neck massage from the vibrations...

_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

fredrikl · Guest

Hi, and thanks for your replies.

Now, what are the parts that should be replaced when restoring the strut top mounts? Do I exchange the whole mount as one unit or only the bearing and the rubber bushing? Are there any cheap Audi/VW applications?

When you say 'turn' the brake discs, do you mean swap between left and right? I don't have a proper dial gauge, so I guess it will be hard to measure these small deformations that we are (might be) dealing with.

Again, thanks.

Fredrik

924RACR · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2001 6:49 am Post subject:

The "turning" is to machine them, either with a grinder or on a lathe, to bring them true (straight). Very common to do to brake rotors, at least here in the states (not sure if it's even legal in Germany, or about the rest of the EU).

The strut mount is replaced as one piece, the rubber insert with the bearing in it. Check with your dealer.

_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

marky522 · Guest

Well, if this was me i would lie under the car and watch the ball joint and tie rod while somone is moving the tire back and forth, where ever you see the play (chances are if it is up and down play it is the ball joint) that is what is worn out. Just my 2 cents

Mark