Tramlining

[Ski]

Ok got the car back up on the ramp this morning (had a new front tyre fitted at the same time) and asked them to check the front for anything unusual...

The amount of play in the front suspension was, eer, scary. The bushes are fine, the top mounts are fine, the ARB and droplinks are ok, bottom balljoints are fine, but there was several inches of play in the suspension without the steering wheel moving 1 inch. Both mechanics who were there both said "front wishbones" (well they actually said "lower arms").

Is this right? They're solid bits of metal, surely?

I think I have same issue, but I dont understand, You say the front bushes are fine, but the wishbone isnt ? Theres nothing on them but bushes i thought... which you say are fine...

[dan_b]

Sorry I wasn't clear, the wishbones are also totally fine - the previous mechanic was trying to tell me the front wishbones themselves were damaged which I didn't believe.

[dan_b]

Getting closer now - the play is all in the steering rack damper, which is apparently replaceable separately from the rack, so let's see what happens there... I suppose if that's loose, then the front wheels can go left and right without that coming through in to the steering collumn?

Ok, so if I replace that I'll get more direct and controllable steering - is that likely then to actually cure the tramlining? I suppose by holding on at least then you're holding the wheels straight?

[Ski]

oo wow interesting.

Is it a hard job to replace? expensive part?

[dan_b]

Access to said part looks "horrible". I've forgotten what the damper was, but it was cheaper than another new rack...

I hope this works!

[Chris5044]

pls let us know the outcome of this

[dan_b]

I certainly will - unfortunately the parts didn't arrive from Audi today so won't get the car back just yet. Hopefully tomorrow...

[Alistair C]

just to let you know - the damper isn't really essential. Apparently Kim collins removed his from his RS2'd cabriolet and prefered the feeling without - so left it off. A loose damper can cause knocking though as I think Mike found out.

[Greg_S]

thats interesting to know because i get a knock going from lock to lock

[dan_b]

You must have to replace the damper with something else though surely - if you just take it out, what then connects the steering arm to the rack?

[Alistair C]

There is a bracket (21) which the steering arms bolt to (with nuts 13). This bracket then bolts to the rack.
This lot seems to hold itself together.

The damper (14) then bolts between the bracket and the other end of the rack to dampen movement.



(PS- Info based purely on heresay - never dismantled this lot myself as you quite rightly say - access is 'horrible!')

[~Delta]

Getting closer now - the play is all in the steering rack damper, which is apparently replaceable separately from the rack, so let's see what happens there... I suppose if that's loose, then the front wheels can go left and right without that coming through in to the steering collumn?

Ok, so if I replace that I'll get more direct and controllable steering - is that likely then to actually cure the tramlining? I suppose by holding on at least then you're holding the wheels straight?

A worn steering damper will produce a rattle occassionally, it won't however cause movement in the steering arms. All the damper does is reduce feedback to the steering wheel when travelling over rough surfaces.

PAS does give a degree of self damping, originally non - PAS type 89 cars were fitted with dampers, while PAS models did without. As far as I can remember, the only PAS cars fitted with dampers were S2, RS2 and 20V (7A) models. Later on in the B4 cars it became standard.

[rotoryboy]

Has anyone bought the repair kit for the rack and rebuilt one? Mines started to leak

[dan_b]

Well my damper is worn as it makes a noise, and I have play at the bracket itself too, so hopefully by replacing both that'll be the end of it...

@Mark - I chose to have the rack replaced rather than re-sealing it, but as you can see that has come with its own issues! Getting the rack out and back in again is not straightforward either (see above comment about access!)

[s2driveruk]

what was the outcome on this Dan - did you solve the tramlining issue - i have this on mine and I am about to replace the bushes as i think these are shot again but would be interested in the damper. I also know mine needs a good alignment as its not been done for a while.