85 UR quattro

[team illuminata]

Not much URQ action lately though, with the current weather conditions I am tempted to sneak it out for a play. Just have to move too much dead car out of the way to get to it or I believe I would. I did take the dust cover of for a little wheel test fit photo shoot last week though: They look kind of OE don't they? What do you think? Tires are a re a little tall. These are BRAID Winrace A 17x8 with +45 offset. I used some 20mm spacers on here to make them effectively +25, almost stock. They have winter tires on as they are my wife's A3 winter setup. Hope you don't feel too lead astray by the heading for this post now LOL. Before I played with them on the URQ we had them on a friends S4 for a week as he and another friend were kindly tearing around northern Michigan last week spectating at the Sno*Drift rally with their cars resplendent in BRAID wheels and decals. Maybe you saw them. We also had a four car team and provided one of the lead cars as well as displaying at all the service areas.: Here's the wheels in their final resting place. They are quite dizzy by now. I also received some more inspiration in the mail from ebay. Not quite the right color but way closer than my black one. Anyone want to buy that BTW? I also bought all Francois's spare parts after he sold both his URQs earlier this year. I'll have to go through them and see what I can use. Getting excited about getting the car on the hoist to rebuild the front and rear suspension but first I have to work on our Jeep, Sprinter and race car. PHEW!

[wanderer]

What a nice example. Do you ever get time to enjoy it? I had one very simliar to yours, an 84 however (TR). I am starting to look for another one currently. I you have any suggestions/connections to someone who would like to sell theirs, please let me know. Neil

[team illuminata]

Originally Posted by wanderer

What a nice example. Do you ever get time to enjoy it? I had one very simliar to yours, an 84 however (TR). I am starting to look for another one currently. I you have any suggestions/connections to someone who would like to sell theirs, please let me know. Neil

Thanks Neil. Where are you located?

I don;t have much insight into finding these. Mine kind of fell into my lap. I have a German friend here in Michigan currently on the hunt for one as well. He seems to be trolling te internet.

[team illuminata]

And so it begins, pre-season refurb. Just a few items to take care of before spring gets going (even more):

*Detail
*heat stuck on
*Ps fluid-replace
*Relay head lights & Main beams
*Ignition rotor arm
*Perished breather hose
*Check timing
*Radio reception
*Radio replace
*Upper strut mounts front & rear
*Rear brake lines
*Replace coolant
*Replce ball joints
*Lower control arm bushings
*Dampers
*Timing belt cover reinstall
*Washer aim/function
*Aim lights-adjusters
*Gear box play, mounts?
*Wipers slow
*Cold starting
*exhaust leak
*oil Leaks

Perhaps I should have gotten started sooner.




First task, finish putting an original radio in. I found some old style speaker connectors on eBay and spliced them into the aftermarket speaker wires, Works too even with the tape adapter playing from my Iphone but only 80s music comes out. Rear speakers appear to be blown. No bass but front work fine.



Next I turned my attention to rebuilding the suspension. Soaked all the fasteners with PB Blaster. Started by removing the front anti-roll bar.




Maybe I didn't allow enough time for the PB Blaster to work as I broke one of the end links. Where can I get a new one?



I felt this was enough progress for the first evening especially as I am now fully committed to replacing the suspension components rather than driving the car round in its compromised condition. More to follow..........

[team illuminata]

Slammed it:




Everything in the front suspension is loose and ready to come off:




Except this:



Non of my pullers or presses could get a purchase on it. I tried heat and hammers to no avail. Need more tools.

[team illuminata]

Something from this box should work




Like this perhaps




BINGO!




All gone




Now I have to tear this apart.




The parts haul so far




I also discovered that my right side engine mount is collapsed so that will have to be replaced too. And, my right side hub is very loose in int housing. Is that normal or should I be doing wheel bearings too?

[team illuminata]

More unbolting today.

I was advised to remove the tie rod ends so I could free up the adjusters as I will need an alignment when I'm done.




So I did, then sprayed it with PB Blaster.




This is where it bolts to the rack. Interesting arrangement.




I took a gearbox mount off to change it but it looked new so I bolted it back on and crossed it off my list.




Have an exhaust leak from here. Had to cut the bolts with a hacksaw blade. Going to need a new donut.




Drained the coolant and flushed the system.




Removed the heater valve as I have constant heat. Seems to close though. I think I will replace it anyway.




Monday I shop for parts and do my taxes.

[team illuminata]

Where do I find the UR quattro Blue strut mounts in the US? Can/should I use 034 Motorsport versions?



and wheel bearings? 75mm or 82mm?

How do I make sure my engine mounts are shot? The right one is such a PITA that I really don't want to replace it unless I have too.

[team illuminata]

Disassembled both front struts today. Wasn't too hard.




The only problem is the free Bilsteins I have aren't going to fit. They are off a later model. So, I need some inserts. Koni or Bilstein. Can't seem to find them in stock anywhere. Anyone have any sitting around?

Need quite a few parts before I can put this thing back together. namely:

Blue upper mounts
Dampers, Koni preferred
Front 86-2086 sport 2-6 weeks
Rear 86-2087 sport in stock at Koni
Front Strut bellows
End link
Wheel bearings
heater valve
coolant G12 or regular green stuff?
Exhaust donut

[team illuminata]

Koni inserts are on their way from a fellow URQ owner. Thanks Martin. I've found nice German top mounts and wheel bearings and most of the other parts I need. Still looking for the anti roll bar bushings and I'm not sure if I want to spend over $200 on an OE ball joint.

Took my struts and control arms to see my Freind Mat at MCE Tuning. He pressed out the wheel bearings for me no problem.




Old worn out bearing on the floor.




Inner race stayed on the hub! Mat got ot off.




Then cleaned up the wheel bearing hosings so the new bearings will go in nicely.



Next I start working on getting the control arm bushings out.