Hey everyone, I Just purchased a 1992 100S 5-Speed in stellar shape with 205k on the clock as a daily driver. It has loads of new parts including control arms and related bushings, brakes (pads/rotors/new caliper seals), 10k old clutch, newer tires, shocks (bilstein non-adjustable) and all working electronics including AC. It was wildly out of alignment on the passenger front side, which I eyeballed the toe today just to keep the wheel straight and some tread on the tires. I have an inquiry, however, into a particular problem.

The car makes lots of clunking, actually more like binding, noise from all around the front end, particularly the passenger side. The ball joints are new, but I checked anyhow, and are still fine. The PO said the problem is two failed subframe bushings. When I inspect the car, however, I can't really see anything that looks to be a bushing for the subframe mounts, and upon jacking on the engine, subframe, towers, control arms, and swaybar I can't get any sort of binding or abnormal noise. The noise is most evident (actually quite loud, and some vibration is being transmitted through the body) at low speeds when making turns, starting off, and other movements. The car also feels very "floaty" and torque steers like crazy, particularly at high speeds.

Any clues? Hope to start enjoying the Audi forums! I've been a Rennlist and Saabnet member for several years now.

 

i'd get the alignment done on all 4 corners first, then see where you stand

 

I wouldn't want to waste money on a four wheel alignment if I'm going to have to remove a bunch of suspension components and shift the subframe/engine to replace bushings. Alignment is the last step...

 

alignments are cheap, just do it to eliminate the idea that you take it all off and spend labor on that and then all you had to do was an alignment

 

I agree with the allignment. The bushings are more or less the same on our 951's- you can see/ feel a bad bushing a mile away... Any clunking over bumps?

Pfunk

100cs (fixing)

'87 951 (running just fine)

P.S. clutches are easy on these cars, just did one in the same time it took me to get the gearbox out of the '51...!