Finally got most everything sorted out on the top end of the motor and checked the timing belt tension ( high end of the guage ), so I took her out for a longer drive that went great had to pass a slow driver in town kicked her down and she broke loose as she took off. I decided to check the Flex plate pressure and Thrust bearing play ( great weather today in Georgia for working on the car ). I don't believe this has ever been checked the bolts looked factory new with no wrench marks, I broke one in the rear above the cats but thats ok I didn't plan on putting the rears back in anyway. The Flex plate release moved 2.14 mm's the end play was .14 mm's . I reinstalled everything back and plan to install a clamp when I do the timing belt and water pump this winter or spring. I did notice a small drip from the transmission line at the joint going back, can these leak from this joint or is it a common area of failure for the rubber line. Thanks, Jack

 

That is below Spec Jack, that is .005", something does not sound right with the way it was checked.

 

Bill Ball's post https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...pictorial.html suggests that new was 0.11mm to 0.312mm. (from WSM)



I just measured one at 0.16mm.


(Greg, tried to pm you, but that didn't work.)

 

I could be wrong, that just sounds tight for a endplay.
We went to see Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers last night, so my thought process my not be up to par today.

 

Checked with the belts on, don't know if that makes a difference. It felt good while prying it back and forth. Jack

 

The endplay you measured is well within spec (as per Bill Ball's post) so there is nothing to worry about.
I measure mine with the belts on.
You can shorten the rear bolts a little and then still be able to get them out with the exhaust etc in place (at least on my '90 S4).

Myles