BigAndy
Veteran Member
I put this off on my 99 A3 even as the odo hit 430,000km. The handling was poor and it was wandering and it rusted out before I got under it.
My 'new to me' 98 wanders off the crown, pulls a little left and handles like it's in mud. I have done the front end - and it needed it. LCA bushings, ball joints, tie rods, struts.
I had a wheel alignment done and the tech said he got the front almost perfectly dialed in but couldn't do anything for the rear. He said one side is more forward than the other (the other perspective - one side is further back) so this would cause the car to pull. Makes sense and it's 22 years old and with 280,000km on the clock I suspect they've never been done.
I'll do the rear struts and springs at the same time.
My plan of attack:
Cut the Proportioning Valve bracket rather than attempt to unbolt the aluminum allen bolts as they are likely corroded to the body. I'll have it welded back after I finish.
I bought this tool on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Rear-Axle-B...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Total Cdn = $114 delivered to my door. The cost of the rod/washers/nuts/two pitman arm home made tool would be about $70CDN - I'll go with the extra $$ for the shiny
.
I'll drop the axle while leaving the shock bolts in and replace them insitu.
That proportioning valve is the kicker from everything I've read. If anyone has any tips, pass them on. I'll update this thread after I finish.
My 'new to me' 98 wanders off the crown, pulls a little left and handles like it's in mud. I have done the front end - and it needed it. LCA bushings, ball joints, tie rods, struts.
I had a wheel alignment done and the tech said he got the front almost perfectly dialed in but couldn't do anything for the rear. He said one side is more forward than the other (the other perspective - one side is further back) so this would cause the car to pull. Makes sense and it's 22 years old and with 280,000km on the clock I suspect they've never been done.
I'll do the rear struts and springs at the same time.
My plan of attack:
Cut the Proportioning Valve bracket rather than attempt to unbolt the aluminum allen bolts as they are likely corroded to the body. I'll have it welded back after I finish.
I bought this tool on Ebay:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Rear-Axle-B...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Total Cdn = $114 delivered to my door. The cost of the rod/washers/nuts/two pitman arm home made tool would be about $70CDN - I'll go with the extra $$ for the shiny
I'll drop the axle while leaving the shock bolts in and replace them insitu.
That proportioning valve is the kicker from everything I've read. If anyone has any tips, pass them on. I'll update this thread after I finish.