Today I.....

[lavandism]

Today I heard from the service I brought the car to after an abrupt engine cut-off on the highway.

Three days in and the first thing they came up with is to take the car for a spin. On a highway. And who would have thought, all the Christmas lights came on!

So now the testing is planned on Friday (day off tomorrow). But let’s take a car with known vacuum leak and ABS/ESP errors to the highway before checking error codes, indeed!

I am considering to change the mechanic at this point. One drama will do less damage long term.

 

[George Hogg]

2nd strut off now. Wondering how to get the bump stops onto the strut rod as the bore of the bump stop is about 75% of the dia of the strut rod.

 

[rasA2]

Gave the car a first ever wash under my ownership

Project DIY Pine Green

Just a straight piece

www.a2oc.net

 

[dj_efk]

Today I found that my brakes are markedly improved after a good stamp on them!

Ever since I had a garage bleed them following a full overhaul they’ve always had a touch of air in the system and therefore didn’t inspire much confidence when pressed hard. This was odd as the garage had bled the ABS pump and everything.

I’m ashamed to say my kids were playing up in the car so much yesterday I slammed the brakes on at 20-odd MPH in anger to turn around and demand they stop whatever behaviour it was they were doing (involved shouting at each other!). Yes there was no other traffic around at the time and it was a quiet rural road.

Double win: the kids were then well-behaved AND the bubble of air hithero trapped somewhere in the brake system seemed to have shifted - now they genuinely feel as good underfoot as our modern Touran’s!

 

[stevec]

Gave my A2 it's final wash before it goes to it's new owner tomorrow.
One final drive to work and i think i will take the long way there to fully enjoy.

 

[datsundrew]

Nope, it was a loose nut on the front strut at the top, somehow it had either come loose or just settled over the year after fitting, the other side strut nut was also a bit loose but not allowing movement up and down.

I had exactly this on mine.

 

[johnyfartbox]

I had exactly this on mine.

Wish you had told me, could have saved me 66 quid.......

 

[Proghound]

Gave my A2 it's final wash before it goes to it's new owner tomorrow.
One final drive to work and i think i will take the long way there to fully enjoy.

I remember the run down to Penderyn with you driving that car on the Welsh driving social in April 2019. My first time out in my former Cobalt TDI I hope the memories remain good for you Steve

 

[Andrew]

2nd strut off now. Wondering how to get the bump stops onto the strut rod as the bore of the bump stop is about 75% of the dia of the strut rod.

Good Evening George,

Your post caught my eye as I am in the throes of ordering parts for a suspension refresh and now on the point of ordering bump stops and bellows.

I know the Bilstein B4 are quite adequate for the A2 but on the grounds pay a bit more (a lot actually) you get better I selected Bilstein B6 (35-052173 + 24-067898). It sounds you may have done similar with your bump stop conundrum.

Now a general question about my purchase for anyone who knows the answer which may help you if you also went for Bilstein B6. Are bump stops needed with the B6???? The reason I say this is that after watching a few Youtube videos with the B6 the shaft is inverted (hence the wider shaft diameter AND it is fitted with an internal bump stop which suggests the external bump stop is is not needed (except possibly with some cars).

Help please.

This is informative about B6 shocks.

@Robin_Cox I remember you have B6 shocks, what did you do and dust covers - thanks

Andy

 

[dj_efk]

Nope, it was a loose nut on the front strut at the top, somehow it had either come loose or just settled over the year after fitting, the other side strut nut was also a bit loose but not allowing movement up and down.

The silver 90 I owned had exactly the same! If there is a “101” thread of suspension knocks then this should definitely be in there to check!

 

[L162LZ]

Today I found that my brakes are markedly improved after a good stamp on them!

Ever since I had a garage bleed them following a full overhaul they’ve always had a touch of air in the system and therefore didn’t inspire much confidence when pressed hard. This was odd as the garage had bled the ABS pump and everything.

I’m ashamed to say my kids were playing up in the car so much yesterday I slammed the brakes on at 20-odd MPH in anger to turn around and demand they stop whatever behaviour it was they were doing (involved shouting at each other!). Yes there was no other traffic around at the time and it was a quiet rural road.

Double win: the kids were then well-behaved AND the bubble of air hithero trapped somewhere in the brake system seemed to have shifted - now they genuinely feel as good underfoot as our modern Touran’s!

Also, Maybe a good stamp allowed the auto adjustment wedges to move down a bit in the drums, has the height of the handbrake changed a bit since too?

 

[sixerj]

Good Evening George,

Your post caught my eye as I am in the throes of ordering parts for a suspension refresh and now on the point of ordering bump stops and bellows.

I know the Bilstein B4 are quite adequate for the A2 but on the grounds pay a bit more (a lot actually) you get better I selected Bilstein B6 (35-052173 + 24-067898). It sounds you may have done similar with your bump stop conundrum.

Now a general question about my purchase for anyone who knows the answer which may help you if you also went for Bilstein B6. Are bump stops needed with the B6???? The reason I say this is that after watching a few Youtube videos with the B6 the shaft is inverted (hence the wider shaft diameter AND it is fitted with an internal bump stop which suggests the external bump stop is is not needed (except possibly with some cars).

Help please.

This is informative about B6 shocks.

Robin, I remember you have B6 shocks, what did you do and dust covers - thanks

Andy

Well this great timing to see what your and George's experience is with the B6's

I installed B6's and full suspension refresh all around on my Sprinter camper van last year and it was totally transformative / done maybe 4500 miles on them

There was a deal on AutoDoc a few weeks ago so ordered a full set of B6 (plus all the bump and covers) for the Silver FSI project

I'm going to be a few months behind you guys as engine issues come 1st

 

[sixerj]

Placed into the project car parts stash - VAG refurbished 2019 1.6 BAD head, inc new rollers

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[DaveySprocket]

Despite absolutely no rain forecast whatsoever, it keeps on raining, ah well, it could be worse!

So I've still been tinkering with stuff in my workshop.

I've got everything freed off on these calipers, and the pistons out, they are genuine and not in bad nick, so probably worth a rebuild kit. The little VW logos on the dust caps put a smile on my face, shame they weren't all four the same



I also unbolted the turbo from the manifold no problem, the vanes look fairly okay on it, I don't know anything about turbos though, so will have to have a read up how to check one over properly.

 

[PlasticMac]

Placed into the project car parts stash - VAG refurbished 2019 1.6 BAD head, inc new rollers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Which rainbow was that at the end of?
Do you intend to refurb your original one?
Mac.

 

[dj_efk]

Also, Maybe a good stamp allowed the auto adjustment wedges to move down a bit in the drums, has the height of the handbrake changed a bit since too?

Audrey is a 90 so disc rear brakes.

 

[stevec]

I remember the run down to Penderyn with you driving that car on the Welsh driving social in April 2019. My first time out in my former Cobalt TDI I hope the memories remain good for you Steve

Simply the best car i have ever owned. The T4 has some big shoes to fill.
Thanks

 

[sixerj]

Which rainbow was that at the end of?
Do you intend to refurb your original one?
Mac.

The pure luck & car guy network rainbow

Couple of months ago I dropped into my trusted daily ride garage with the Silver FSI, put it on the lift & talked through everything that it needs & discussed maybe hitting the car in one shot with me buying all the parts

My Sprinter camper is in with them at the moment for MOT, prep for next road trip and some drive train improvements (4000 mile round trip through Balkans last year - highly recommended)

Part of the prior A2 conversation and poking obviously involved discussing the potential reasons behind the poor running issues & fact that B&H suspected sticky valves / possible head work

It turns out workshop owners talk to engine builders and their VAG collecting customers…..

What going on with your A2 says my garage guy and possibly have a parts lead for you…

A number of phone calls later, some pictures, 7ZAP checks & a PPal transaction

Picked it up a couple of weeks ago and placed in the rapidly growing Audi parts stash (along with the 50+ year old Porsche factory race part and Sprinter further development stash)

Way lower cost than reworking my own & too good an opportunity to pass up, albeit a bit of an insurance policy


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