2nd Time Around - Almost

seamaster

seamaster

Member
I sold my 51 plate silver A2 TDI about 5 years ago along with all the spares accept a snap on spline tool to tighten the door hinges, every so often I pick up this spline tool while mincing around in the garage and I get transported back to A2 ownership, well, I'm getting the urge to purchase another A2 if I could get the same again with 75k miles on the clock I would be a happy camper.
I have a few questions as I have been out of circulation for a time, but the main one is the door splitting and door reinforcement.
I had my doors reinforced FOC by Audi because they had split at the hinges, I understand this repair is no longer available so what do you do if you come across this problem, turn around and walk away? Or is the problem not as bad as previously perceived.
 
seamaster said:
I sold my 51 plate silver A2 TDI about 5 years ago along with all the spares accept a snap on spline tool to tighten the door hinges, every so often I pick up this spline tool while mincing around in the garage and I get transported back to A2 ownership, well, I'm getting the urge to purchase another A2 if I could get the same again with 75k miles on the clock I would be a happy camper.
I have a few questions as I have been out of circulation for a time, but the main one is the door splitting and door reinforcement.
I had my doors reinforced FOC by Audi because they had split at the hinges, I understand this repair is no longer available so what do you do if you come across this problem, turn around and walk away? Or is the problem not as bad as previously perceived.
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Even though it does happen, the splitting is quite rare, I have never seen an A2 with this and I have lierally seen hundreds of A2s close up.

It is not normally a structural problem and can be repaired.

So I wouldn't be obsessed over it if I was you.

Steve B
 
Birchall said:
Even though it does happen, the splitting is quite rare, I have never seen an A2 with this and I have lierally seen hundreds of A2s close up.

It is not normally a structural problem and can be repaired.

So I wouldn't be obsessed over it if I was you.

Steve B
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I'd agree with this. The 'aluminium fatigue' thread on the forum is one of our most read subjects - however whilst the free repair deal brokered by Skipton was absolutely brilliant (I amongst many others had it done) -it's been a long time since anyone has even mentioned the issue and I've not heard tell of anyone having problems with door hinges fail or become so misaligned that they need significant work.

both my front doors have 'sagged' slightly. You can see a small difference in height comparing the windows rubber on the front door to the back. It was like this when I bought the car in 2008 and it hasn't got any worse.

Unless this thread generates a scatter of concern with cracked bodywork at the hinges I'd agree once more with Birchall that it's not a big deal. .
 
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I wouldnt worry either as theres plenty of spares out there and you could easily find a purchase a replacement door if this ever happens
 
murdo said:
I'd agree with this. The 'aluminium fatigue' thread on the forum is one of our most read subjects - however whilst the free repair deal brokered by Skipton was absolutely brilliant (I amongst many others had it done) -it's been a long time since anyone has even mentioned the issue and I've not heard tell of anyone having problems with door hinges fail or become so misaligned that they need significant work.

both my front doors have 'sagged' slightly. You can see a small difference in height comparing the windows rubber on the front door to the back. It was like this when I bought the car in 2008 and it hasn't got any worse.

Unless this thread generates a scatter of concern with cracked bodywork at the hinges I'd agree once more with Birchall that it's not a big deal. .
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Not that long ago - I mentioned it about two weeks ago! http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?28729-Today-I/page104

Simon.
 
sco said:
Not that long ago - I mentioned it about two weeks ago! http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?28729-Today-I/page104

Simon.
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yes it was a definite fault and that is why Audi used to do a repair free of charge.
But it is quite rare and many have been like that for years without people noticing and without any issue.
To me the door straps design means that when they fail they put an extra strain on the door hinge area. So if anyone has a dodgy door strap I recommend getting it sorted ASAP or it can lead to metal fatigue around the hinge anyway.

How is is your crack now (if you will pardon the expression) :D

Steve B
 
Well the downside of patching it is I can't tell! It could be that the crack will continue to grow under the patch but more likely it will either stop growing altogether or the rate of growth will be so slow that it won't be an issue in the life of the car.

Simon.
 
The majority of saggy door issues are caused by the bolts actually being loose on the hinge and needing tightening.

There is a how-to I believe in Birchalls fantastic 'how-to' section and even the worst of door alignments can be adjusted out.

There is room for adjustment in both of the door hinges and also in the catch on the b-pillar to draw the door in. Its easier with two people but can even be done yourself.

What i'm trying to say is just ebcause your door has dropped slightly it doesn't necessarily mean that the hinge has split.
 
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Audi always claimed that the cracking was cosmetic and no way structural. As Steve says if the door strap fails to restrain the door in any way the hinge at the door mount takes the strain instead and cracks as it is not designed to take any bending load at that point. If you look at the Audi repair it re-enforces the strap not the hinge, the hinge merely has a cosmetic disguise to hide the crack!

I was concerned about thus issue when I bought my first A2 18 months ago and saw the cracks (only because I looked for them having read the thread). I am under the impression it is a frequent occurance rather than rare. However as Steve says look after the door strap and don't let the door over open and I do not believe the problem gets any worse. I occassionaly check on my door hinges and the cracks have not changed in 18 months.

In summary I woud not consider small cracks to be a deal breaker, it could be a price negotiation though.

Geoff
 
The re-enforcement they made to the load bearing part of the door panel around the check strap was substantial, however that only has any affect if the strap itself holds
Geoff
 
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