UrS6 Viscous Fan bearing - Need an autotopsy

[UrS4boy]

The C4 AANs came with one of two styles of viscous fan bearings. The UrS6s tended to come with a press in bearing and flange assembly. The PN was 046115136 for VINs SN030352 and beyond. 046115136 is now NLA. I am thinking that it might be possible to cut open the non-flange end of the bearing housing and press out the bearing or bearings and then replace the bearings with a new bearing (or bearings).

More info: http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/33332.phtml

Step 1 is to find out what is inside the press-in bearing housing. I have an UrS4 with older style bolt-in bearing and therefore can not investigate the later bearing.

Therefore, I am looking for a C4 S6 volunteer who happens to have an old newer style bearing that they are willing to cut open, measure and photograph in aid of finding a solution to this developing issue.

What is in side this?

[orignalS60]

Dave is there a DIY to replacing this
bearing? Also FCP euro says they have
the fan pulley. Does it not include a fresh
bearing?

[UrS4boy]

Dave is there a DIY to replacing this bearing? Also FCP euro says they have the fan pulley. Does it not include a fresh bearing?

My viscous fan bearing post linked previously ( http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/33332.phtml ) contains this:

"Recently, UrS695 posted his success purchasing and replacing this later style bearing. He said:

"To remove the bearing I heated the housing with Oxy/Acetylene being very careful toheat even and not to overheat. Then with a punch I was able to drive the bearing out quite easily. Getting new bearing in is going to be a challenge as some folks talk of pressing it in but how do you hold that awkward housing while pressing. And one post mentioned that his bearing was slipping out of the housing. I measured the old and new bearing diameters - both measured right at 40mm on the nose so at least they are dimensionally the same. I then put the bearing in the freezer overnight. The next day I heated the housing, again careful not to give it too much and then with the bearing cold it dropped right down into the housing and hit bottom. A second later when every thing was at the same temperature it was "locked" in and would not budge."

Back in 2004 "jacfin" had a problem keeping the new style bearing in the new style housing. His solution was:

"The outer bearing shell has a groove about 1/2 way down its length - I measured its relative location on the housing (alt bracket) and drilled/tapped a 4mm hole, installed a 4 mm set screw - this has cured the problem with the bearing slipping out of the mount."

Subsequently, it has been recommended by several people, e.g Chris C. (fastscirocco) that every one with an UrS6 with the non-triangle mount (just pressed-in round) bearing drill and tap a hole and add a set-screw to make sure the bearing doesn't walk out. (This is not an issue with the triangle mount bearing).

At the time of writing PN 046115136 was available from Genuine Audi Parts for $187."

That was then, this is now. Now the bearing assembly is NLA. I am trying to figure out a way to reuse the bearing housing with new bearings.

You'll have to be more specific about what FCP Euro is offering, i.e. provide the link.

[orignalS60]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...audi-079903341

[UrS4boy]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...audi-079903341

Thanks but 079903341 = accessory belt idler pulley

Not even close. Nothing older than 2001.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ley/079903341/

[90/90qs]

Wow I'm in the middle of the exact same process, same position.
I have this in my B3 though, and I've cut the back of the large bracket off so the radiator fits.
I'm hoping I can take advantage of the flat back for pressing a new bearing. Good to hear some other stories though.
Btw I just used propane gas to heat. Took a long time and I would probably use map gas next time, but it seemed to be sufficient enough if you want to be a little less concerned about damaging the bracket.

[90/90qs]

-I will probably end up doing the research this weekend

[UrS4boy]

-I will probably end up doing the research this weekend

Please post your findings if you to get to it.

[90/90qs]

What are your thoughts on what we're looking at there?

I suspect it's just 2 bearings pressed on, which seems like a really stupid design from an engineering / materials overhead standpoint. Maybe (as it was a replacement design) it was the quickest albeit dirty solution, and required minimal redesign.

[UrS4boy]

What are your thoughts on what we're looking at there? I suspect it's just 2 bearings pressed on, which seems like a really stupid design from an engineering / materials overhead standpoint. Maybe (as it was a replacement design) it was the quickest albeit dirty solution, and required minimal redesign.

Not sure, hence the call out for an autopsy. At least one bearing (obviously) with inner and outer race (and ball or needle bearings). Not sure if there is another bearing in there or not, *OR* how long the shaft that goes through the bearing is or how it is kept in the bearing. Again, if I had a UrS6 I would do this on an old bearing but I have a 93 UrS4 and the bearing design is very different.

Not sure what the groove is there for.

[A1QSHIP]

Dave, I have one of these that I replaced in my S6. Heated the housing to get it out/install. Had the problem of it backing out & added set screw. I will be able to dig the old one out this weekend & dissect it next week.
Chris

[UrS4boy]

Dave, I have one of these that I replaced in my S6. Heated the housing to get it out/install. Had the problem of it backing out & added set screw. I will be able to dig the old one out this weekend & dissect it next week. Chris

Perfect. More data. Way better than no data.

[pasbogdan]

On the early aan the inner race of the bearing is teh shaft itself if i remember correctly?

[UrS4boy]

On the early aan the inner race of the bearing is teh shaft itself if i remember correctly?

This is what the UrS4 and early UrS6 version looks like:

[vidar skotheim]

That is corect . I Have these bearings