924Board.org

augidog · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 1360 Location: New Jersey

Something is wrong with my front end.( a rubbing sound on slight turn but everyt component seems tight.) I'm getting close to replacing it all.New ball joints on the way.
What do they do and how would bad ones affect the front end?
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1978 924 95 mile daily driver.
Audi TB/POR174M/High Flow Cat/2.25" exhaust
I knew that positive thinking thing wouldn't work.

wdb · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 2024

there a pivot point for the steering , otherwise the front wheels would be fixed straight . theres a greese fitting on it somewhere ,for a greese gun . they should lubed occasionally . if the rubber cap is torn ,the greese leaked out ,and is causing friction (rubbing noise) and should be replaced .

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:31 am Post subject:

Ball joints allow simultaneous up-down and turning motion of the wheels. They serve as the bottom connection and pivot point of the steering knuckles. A clunking sound would be a more common sign of ball joint failure. The check suggested in the manuals is to use a large screwdriver or small pry bar and pry up between the bottom of the ball joint (under the a-arm) and the wheel (using a socket as a spacer) to see if there's any movement. A rubbing or scraping sound on turning could be anything from a steering shaft bearing, something rubbing against the steering shaft, to tires scraping the fenders or something else in one of the wheel wells.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Paul · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 9:46 am Post subject:

Could also be the upper strut mounts.

augidog · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 1360 Location: New Jersey

Vince Ponz · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3581 Location: Florida

So that your underwear fit right and you look good.

I have two ball joints if you want them.
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"Never let them see you sweat"
77.5 924 modified track car
79 931 Euro stock
88 924S SE
87 911 Targa stock

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 1:28 pm Post subject:

The upper strut mounts/bearings are the upper equivalent/counterpart to the ball joints down below. They provide the pivot and attachment point for the top of the struts which are in turn attached to the top of the steering knuckles. If they've never been replaced, they're probably due by now. Mine were worn and got replaced more than 5 years ago. I know they can clunk when bad - maybe squeek as well, but I don't know which is more common. A quick-easy test is to pop the hood and push the front of the car sideways while watching the center of the strut mounts (the threaded end of the strut) for sideways movement and listening for sound that corresponds with the movement. They're not too expensive - probably $30-$40 each side for all the parts needed. That's for superceeded 944 parts - the original parts are generaly nla.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

When the 924 was originally built the upper strut bushing and the strut bearing were seperate pieces.

When the 944 came along, the parts were redesigned and combined into a single, improved part.

When the upper strut bushing ages, it collapses, and allows the metal upper strut mounting plate to make contact with the upper spring perch. This causes a grinding when the wheel is steered. To help eliminate this problem, Porsche added a 6mm washer between the upper spring perch, and the upper strut bushing on 944 production, and released a TSB for all 924 and earlier 944 production, instructing that the washer be added to all cars when they came in for service, or when the front struts were serviced, or if the driver complained about the grinding when turning.