Problem, anyone any ideas?
 

hi everyone,

Just had my '85 Audi 80 for it's MOT, passed first time, which is brilliant, but so do have a problem.

Around three months ago I noticed something strange on my suspension, I noticed what felt like a little clunk/notch type feeling when I braked heavily or set off quickly. Then I went down the motoway and had to shift rather quickly to let an emergency vehicle past, my wheels are usually rock steady and I have never had steerig wheel shake when going fast. But when I hit about 85 I felt some serious vibration, and heard a rather worrying knocking sound. As soon as I was out the way I slowed back to 70 and everything was as still as ever.

Things have progressivly gotten worse, and I still have the clunky feeling, but now you can feel it almost eveytime I set off or brake. Even if I roll my car out of the drive without starting the engine you can feel it. It appears to be whenever the car changes direction slightly. I presume this and the speed thing are connected, as both started around the same time.

I would have thought the MOT would have flagged the problem up, but all they said was that they found slight play in both tie-rod ends.

Well I've had them changed today and the problem still persists. Does anyone have any ideas? Any one ever had this before?

It's really annoying, and seems to be getting worse and worse, and it needs fixing ASAP.

Any help would be greatly appreciated - and sorry about the long essay!


Sie!

Silly ass question. Are all the lug nuts tight and evenly torqued?

My previous car was at the body shop a while back and they failed to put a front wheel back on properly and it loosened, and felt progressively worse as I accelerated. It was so odd I had a hard time figuring it out.

Mine does the exact same thing, not found out what it is yet so will be following this thread with interest. One thought is that the wishbone bush bolts need tightening, will be checking this weekend...

strut-top mounts/bushes..............:ihih:

Not on mine, thought it was this so fitted uprated items from 034 EFi. No Change. Nothing on the transmission side as it did this before I fitted the 3B and 6 speed gearbox. So long as its not the chassis breaking up I can cope with it as I rarely go over 75mph to avoid stone chips and so long as I do not do much forward and reverse work it's liveable but would like to get to the bottom of it..

Next point would be the bottom ball-joints.:confused:

i agree with Mr Clarke....even a slight bit of play can manifest itself at speed in tops and ball joints

There's no 'e' on the end, and besides, few will know who you are meaning as I'm not as notorious/famous as you! :razz:

Had a similar problem on my 87 Passat GL5 once though without the wheel vibration from what I can remember. Started off as a clunk then eventually manifested into steering play when steering round a bend. I would steer normally then I'd have to steer a bit more as some play came in... tuned out to be loose wishbone bolts causing the wishbone to slip.

Did have a problem with intermittent front wheel vibration on an Audi 100 once which turned out to be a partially seized outer CV joint knuckle.

Sorry! Yeah I do have a bit of an iffy rep....!

change the tie rod ends as any play is no good aslo have all the wheel rebalanced as both of these items are cheap and start from there. I did have aproblem with my 80 a while ago i changed loads of stuff even rebuildt the drive shafts problem still there only fixed it when i fitted a new supension kit
as the front 2 shox were shot

Right does the 80 have inner rods the ones on the inside the bellows also what about the hub flange comman fault on early audis and vw also check the CV joint can be worn even though the bellows are fine and not holed
Apart from the above the faults should of manifested on the M.O.T

cheers Raj

Managed to get that sorted now, turned out to be my lower balljoints that were worn.

I do now have another problem though, since I've had them changed. Now I get a screeching from my tyres when I go around corners and when I just turn normally - not even at excessive speed. Another thing I have noticed since they have been changed is that the steering wheel is straight and wheels themselves are totally parrallel - wheras before they weren't.

When I got the car back the mechanic did say I needed my tracking doing, I presume this will fix my problem? The only other thing I notice is that the steering feels quite a bit lighter, especially when usig lots of lock, again down to the tracking I presume?

The only place I can think of near me is KwikFit, but I must say I am more that sceptical about taking my Audi there, any idea who else might offer this kind of service? And what would be a reasonable price for it doing?

Once again I thank you all for you help, it's much appreciated.


ATB,



Sie!

What kind of screeching did the cr have balljoint covers on them that protect them from the heat from the brake disc they could be touching the disc surface or a bent sheild around the brake dics

cheers Raj

Ah well, got my tracking done...

Now she is back to being her grand 'ole sefl!

Done just over 600 mile since the work, and it seems to have cured my problems.




Sie!:tup:

Glad you got it sorted! :tup: Came to the same conclusion on mine a while ago. Tended to make a clunk on the way into a roundabout, soon diagnosed though! I have a worrying clunk now - seems to be when I'm maneuvering but I reckon it's play in the strut top mounts. Apparently you're allowed a fair amount of play though when it comes to MOT time.