Aluminium Fatigue

Please see the first page of this thread for Photos!!! (my post there) (or page 12,13)

here all pics together:
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I have checked my A2 1.2TDI -2001 today. I have a little crack in the left hand(driver) door.

I looked at the mechanism and saw that the hinge stop bottomed out before the stop in between the upper and lower hinge.

I have changed hinges on a old VW Golf III and im sure that the stop between the hinges should stop the door before hitting the hinge stop.
As I understand it the hinge stops should onle protect the door from hitting the front fender if the center stop breaks.

In my opinion Audi has engineered the hinges poorly. Its possible that this is a carry over hinge that fits other VAG cars too that hasnt been looked at much.


Does anyone know how much the parts cost? I dont like paying money for something that should have been right from the beginning.
 
the grim reeper said:
Where all these fixed by the hinge kit?, as mine look like some of these and they said the door needs repalceing

Cheers Phil
Click to expand...
No replacement. They will be fixed by the kit.

For the price see the first pages of the thread. The new parts are only ~ 20€.
 
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Hello all. I know this thread has been beaten to death, however its worthy of mention that Ada is now in the local audi Garage after 3 months of negotiation to have the front hinges replaced on warranty. A bit of work on the phone involved but worth it in the end. The document folder for this job is extensive due to the modification kit instructions and technical bulletin for warranty authority - I leafed through it yesterday and its quite a dossier! Will let you all know how the job progresses. M :D
 
Yes had to pester Audi grimsby last week to find out whats going on with mine, and as it happens they are doing the hinges as i first thought (not replaceing doors), i did Q' this at the time but they said no thats what we will do, now a big back flip and it looks like the hinges only. will keep pushing

Cheers Phil
 
having leafed through the pile of 'bumph' at Ingram Audi, i doubt you will secure new doors when a repair solution has been circulated by Audi HQ, but good luck trying Phil!! ;)You know a lot more about automotive refinishing than me, although i would have though original paintwork would be preferable to new doors and the side of the car painted? I'm looking forward to the result of mine, as the drivers door had dropped a bit and theres quite a lot of wind noise.
 
Had mine done last week at Gloucester. Took 4 days in the end, and is going back in again tomorrow as they didn't tighten the bottom hinge up properly (or at all).
 
murdo said:
having leafed through the pile of 'bumph' at Ingram Audi, i doubt you will secure new doors when a repair solution has been circulated by Audi HQ, but good luck trying Phil!! ;)You know a lot more about automotive refinishing than me, although i would have though original paintwork would be preferable to new doors and the side of the car painted? I'm looking forward to the result of mine, as the drivers door had dropped a bit and theres quite a lot of wind noise.
Click to expand...

It was the bodyshop that i took it to that said about the doors, i Q' that and said about the hinge kits. I may still get some sort of paint work done as the drivers door has dropped enough to start catching the wing:eek:, i will leave it a week or so and then give them another ring

Cheers Phil
 
Got Ada back from Ingram Audi today,took 3 days to do the work on the doors and its a very neat job as I know it would be. Hasn't done anything for the wind noise however which I had hoped it would - but you cant have everything!!
Still need to sort that if anyone has any tips or similar experience:D
 
Hi murdo
You could try covering the gap between door and frame with masking tape to see if wind noise is reduced - (obviously you can only do one door at a time so you can still get in) Often the source of the noise is not as expected but this method can help pinpoint faulty seals or poor door fit etc by a process of elimination.
Don't leave the tape on too long or it can become a pain to remove.

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
Hi murdo
You could try covering the gap between door and frame with masking tape to see if wind noise is reduced - (obviously you can only do one door at a time so you can still get in) Often the source of the noise is not as expected but this method can help pinpoint faulty seals or poor door fit etc by a process of elimination.
Don't leave the tape on too long or it can become a pain to remove.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...

Th eblue masking tape will be ok its the white (magnolia) coloured tape that is the problem the water sokes into the tape, its when it dry's that when you have big problems. The best is Duck tape as you can leave that on no problems, but cost a lot more

Cheers Phil
 
aluminum and steel dont like been bolted together i was told by rover when i do works experience there . thats why landrovers rust on the hinges etc where steel meets aluminum...:confused:
 
cjscos said:
aluminum and steel dont like been bolted together i was told by rover when i do works experience there . thats why landrovers rust on the hinges etc where steel meets aluminum...:confused:
Click to expand...

Can anyone confirm if the replacement parts are aluminium or steel?
 
The same material is used, as it was before. So don't worry.
And only the hinge is new. The door still remains as it was. Only some Epoxide is added.
 
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