Sure they fail by loosing there dampening resistance or developing bad strut
bearings but they usually last well over 120K and even a lot more. That isn't to
say that yours couldn't be in need of repair but that is just not the first
thing I would suspect.

KLS wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:37:21 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>If the only reason you are thinking of replacing the struts is tire wear, yes, I
>>would recommend alignment first.
>>
>>Still, you should check for bad bushings because if they are bad an alignment is
>>worthless. The system needs to be tight before an alignment is done.
>
>
> Okay, thanks for this suggestion.
>
> One last question: do struts on these cars simply not die? Or,
> what's the basic life expectancy of struts on A4Qs?
>
>
>>KLS wrote:
>>
>>>On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:42:44 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>You could try to check for bad bushings in the rear suspension by pushing the
>>>>top of the rear tire in and out to look for play in the system. If there is no
>>>>play I would suspect the alignment you had done being incorrect before worn struts.
>>>
>>>
>>>Thanks for this tip; I'll share it with my mechanic of 15+ years
>>>who'll be doing the job. We didn't find loose bearings, but he didn't
>>>check for bushings as far as I know. If the alignment was done
>>>incorrectly, I'll be really pissed off because the nearby Audi
>>>independent did it. I have been thinking they're somewhat fraudulent,
>>>just a smidge cheaper than the dealer, and always seem to cost me a
>>>lot of money, unlike my mechanic.
>>>
>>>A case in point is my recent rear brake job, for which the independent
>>>wanted to charge me about $350 for rotors and pads and possibly
>>>another $250 to replace one stuck caliper. My mechanic did the job
>>>for $100 less and unstuck the caliper, lubricating it for continued
>>>service. I'm gonna have him do the next timing belt/water
>>>pump/tensioner job in 20k miles instead of going to the independent
>>>ripoff artists.
>>>
>>>So you're suggesting that I just do another alignment before replacing
>>>any struts?
>>>
>>>
>>>>KLS wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I think my 98.5 A4 2.8Q needs new struts at 102,000 miles. The rear
>>>>>tires have excessive wear on the inside of the tread (the car had a
>>>>>4-wheel alignment in May 2005), plus the ride has been a bit noisy.
>>>>>The struts now on the car are from the factory and have definitely
>>>>>served well.
>>>>>
>>>>>Any particular advice for this situation? I plan to replace all four
>>>>>struts in November, when I swap out my summer wheels and put on the
>>>>>winter wheels and would appreciate suggestions.

 

Thanks, Tony, we'll double check those strut bearings and the
dampening resistance.


On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 23:13:15 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

>Sure they fail by loosing there dampening resistance or developing bad strut
>bearings but they usually last well over 120K and even a lot more. That isn't to
>say that yours couldn't be in need of repair but that is just not the first
>thing I would suspect.
>
>KLS wrote:
>> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:37:21 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If the only reason you are thinking of replacing the struts is tire wear, yes, I
>>>would recommend alignment first.
>>>
>>>Still, you should check for bad bushings because if they are bad an alignment is
>>>worthless. The system needs to be tight before an alignment is done.
>>
>>
>> Okay, thanks for this suggestion.
>>
>> One last question: do struts on these cars simply not die? Or,
>> what's the basic life expectancy of struts on A4Qs?
>>
>>
>>>KLS wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:42:44 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>You could try to check for bad bushings in the rear suspension by pushing the
>>>>>top of the rear tire in and out to look for play in the system. If there is no
>>>>>play I would suspect the alignment you had done being incorrect before worn struts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for this tip; I'll share it with my mechanic of 15+ years
>>>>who'll be doing the job. We didn't find loose bearings, but he didn't
>>>>check for bushings as far as I know. If the alignment was done
>>>>incorrectly, I'll be really pissed off because the nearby Audi
>>>>independent did it. I have been thinking they're somewhat fraudulent,
>>>>just a smidge cheaper than the dealer, and always seem to cost me a
>>>>lot of money, unlike my mechanic.
>>>>
>>>>A case in point is my recent rear brake job, for which the independent
>>>>wanted to charge me about $350 for rotors and pads and possibly
>>>>another $250 to replace one stuck caliper. My mechanic did the job
>>>>for $100 less and unstuck the caliper, lubricating it for continued
>>>>service. I'm gonna have him do the next timing belt/water
>>>>pump/tensioner job in 20k miles instead of going to the independent
>>>>ripoff artists.
>>>>
>>>>So you're suggesting that I just do another alignment before replacing
>>>>any struts?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>KLS wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I think my 98.5 A4 2.8Q needs new struts at 102,000 miles. The rear
>>>>>>tires have excessive wear on the inside of the tread (the car had a
>>>>>>4-wheel alignment in May 2005), plus the ride has been a bit noisy.
>>>>>>The struts now on the car are from the factory and have definitely
>>>>>>served well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Any particular advice for this situation? I plan to replace all four
>>>>>>struts in November, when I swap out my summer wheels and put on the
>>>>>>winter wheels and would appreciate suggestions.

 

Thanks, Tony, we'll double check those strut bearings and the
dampening resistance.


On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 23:13:15 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

>Sure they fail by loosing there dampening resistance or developing bad strut
>bearings but they usually last well over 120K and even a lot more. That isn't to
>say that yours couldn't be in need of repair but that is just not the first
>thing I would suspect.
>
>KLS wrote:
>> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:37:21 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If the only reason you are thinking of replacing the struts is tire wear, yes, I
>>>would recommend alignment first.
>>>
>>>Still, you should check for bad bushings because if they are bad an alignment is
>>>worthless. The system needs to be tight before an alignment is done.
>>
>>
>> Okay, thanks for this suggestion.
>>
>> One last question: do struts on these cars simply not die? Or,
>> what's the basic life expectancy of struts on A4Qs?
>>
>>
>>>KLS wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:42:44 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>You could try to check for bad bushings in the rear suspension by pushing the
>>>>>top of the rear tire in and out to look for play in the system. If there is no
>>>>>play I would suspect the alignment you had done being incorrect before worn struts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for this tip; I'll share it with my mechanic of 15+ years
>>>>who'll be doing the job. We didn't find loose bearings, but he didn't
>>>>check for bushings as far as I know. If the alignment was done
>>>>incorrectly, I'll be really pissed off because the nearby Audi
>>>>independent did it. I have been thinking they're somewhat fraudulent,
>>>>just a smidge cheaper than the dealer, and always seem to cost me a
>>>>lot of money, unlike my mechanic.
>>>>
>>>>A case in point is my recent rear brake job, for which the independent
>>>>wanted to charge me about $350 for rotors and pads and possibly
>>>>another $250 to replace one stuck caliper. My mechanic did the job
>>>>for $100 less and unstuck the caliper, lubricating it for continued
>>>>service. I'm gonna have him do the next timing belt/water
>>>>pump/tensioner job in 20k miles instead of going to the independent
>>>>ripoff artists.
>>>>
>>>>So you're suggesting that I just do another alignment before replacing
>>>>any struts?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>KLS wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I think my 98.5 A4 2.8Q needs new struts at 102,000 miles. The rear
>>>>>>tires have excessive wear on the inside of the tread (the car had a
>>>>>>4-wheel alignment in May 2005), plus the ride has been a bit noisy.
>>>>>>The struts now on the car are from the factory and have definitely
>>>>>>served well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Any particular advice for this situation? I plan to replace all four
>>>>>>struts in November, when I swap out my summer wheels and put on the
>>>>>>winter wheels and would appreciate suggestions.

 

Thanks, Tony, we'll double check those strut bearings and the
dampening resistance.


On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 23:13:15 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

>Sure they fail by loosing there dampening resistance or developing bad strut
>bearings but they usually last well over 120K and even a lot more. That isn't to
>say that yours couldn't be in need of repair but that is just not the first
>thing I would suspect.
>
>KLS wrote:
>> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:37:21 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If the only reason you are thinking of replacing the struts is tire wear, yes, I
>>>would recommend alignment first.
>>>
>>>Still, you should check for bad bushings because if they are bad an alignment is
>>>worthless. The system needs to be tight before an alignment is done.
>>
>>
>> Okay, thanks for this suggestion.
>>
>> One last question: do struts on these cars simply not die? Or,
>> what's the basic life expectancy of struts on A4Qs?
>>
>>
>>>KLS wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:42:44 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>You could try to check for bad bushings in the rear suspension by pushing the
>>>>>top of the rear tire in and out to look for play in the system. If there is no
>>>>>play I would suspect the alignment you had done being incorrect before worn struts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for this tip; I'll share it with my mechanic of 15+ years
>>>>who'll be doing the job. We didn't find loose bearings, but he didn't
>>>>check for bushings as far as I know. If the alignment was done
>>>>incorrectly, I'll be really pissed off because the nearby Audi
>>>>independent did it. I have been thinking they're somewhat fraudulent,
>>>>just a smidge cheaper than the dealer, and always seem to cost me a
>>>>lot of money, unlike my mechanic.
>>>>
>>>>A case in point is my recent rear brake job, for which the independent
>>>>wanted to charge me about $350 for rotors and pads and possibly
>>>>another $250 to replace one stuck caliper. My mechanic did the job
>>>>for $100 less and unstuck the caliper, lubricating it for continued
>>>>service. I'm gonna have him do the next timing belt/water
>>>>pump/tensioner job in 20k miles instead of going to the independent
>>>>ripoff artists.
>>>>
>>>>So you're suggesting that I just do another alignment before replacing
>>>>any struts?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>KLS wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I think my 98.5 A4 2.8Q needs new struts at 102,000 miles. The rear
>>>>>>tires have excessive wear on the inside of the tread (the car had a
>>>>>>4-wheel alignment in May 2005), plus the ride has been a bit noisy.
>>>>>>The struts now on the car are from the factory and have definitely
>>>>>>served well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Any particular advice for this situation? I plan to replace all four
>>>>>>struts in November, when I swap out my summer wheels and put on the
>>>>>>winter wheels and would appreciate suggestions.

 

Thanks, Tony, we'll double check those strut bearings and the
dampening resistance.


On Sun, 27 Aug 2006 23:13:15 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

>Sure they fail by loosing there dampening resistance or developing bad strut
>bearings but they usually last well over 120K and even a lot more. That isn't to
>say that yours couldn't be in need of repair but that is just not the first
>thing I would suspect.
>
>KLS wrote:
>> On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 15:37:21 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>If the only reason you are thinking of replacing the struts is tire wear, yes, I
>>>would recommend alignment first.
>>>
>>>Still, you should check for bad bushings because if they are bad an alignment is
>>>worthless. The system needs to be tight before an alignment is done.
>>
>>
>> Okay, thanks for this suggestion.
>>
>> One last question: do struts on these cars simply not die? Or,
>> what's the basic life expectancy of struts on A4Qs?
>>
>>
>>>KLS wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:42:44 -0500, Tony <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
>>>>wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>You could try to check for bad bushings in the rear suspension by pushing the
>>>>>top of the rear tire in and out to look for play in the system. If there is no
>>>>>play I would suspect the alignment you had done being incorrect before worn struts.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for this tip; I'll share it with my mechanic of 15+ years
>>>>who'll be doing the job. We didn't find loose bearings, but he didn't
>>>>check for bushings as far as I know. If the alignment was done
>>>>incorrectly, I'll be really pissed off because the nearby Audi
>>>>independent did it. I have been thinking they're somewhat fraudulent,
>>>>just a smidge cheaper than the dealer, and always seem to cost me a
>>>>lot of money, unlike my mechanic.
>>>>
>>>>A case in point is my recent rear brake job, for which the independent
>>>>wanted to charge me about $350 for rotors and pads and possibly
>>>>another $250 to replace one stuck caliper. My mechanic did the job
>>>>for $100 less and unstuck the caliper, lubricating it for continued
>>>>service. I'm gonna have him do the next timing belt/water
>>>>pump/tensioner job in 20k miles instead of going to the independent
>>>>ripoff artists.
>>>>
>>>>So you're suggesting that I just do another alignment before replacing
>>>>any struts?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>KLS wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I think my 98.5 A4 2.8Q needs new struts at 102,000 miles. The rear
>>>>>>tires have excessive wear on the inside of the tread (the car had a
>>>>>>4-wheel alignment in May 2005), plus the ride has been a bit noisy.
>>>>>>The struts now on the car are from the factory and have definitely
>>>>>>served well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Any particular advice for this situation? I plan to replace all four
>>>>>>struts in November, when I swap out my summer wheels and put on the
>>>>>>winter wheels and would appreciate suggestions.