Window Regulator replacement cost

[norris_309]

I think i'm jinxed.... i've owned my a4 avant for about 3 months & it is causing me more problems than my old Peugeot did in 10 years!..
Anyway,
After curing a knocking noise (loose brake pad)
The next thing, the mrs called me & said the window won't go up, she opened the window & then when trying to shut it, it'd go up a bit, then back down by itself & so on, until she eventually shut it.
So i'm guessing that the regulator.

I've had a price of "approx" £170 fitted for the drivers side to be replaced, does this sound reasonable?
I'm toying with trying to do it myself, but after having a nightmare DAY changing the lower front control arm I'm not so sure i can bring myself to do this. (unless someone convinces me it's an easy one!)

If i do go down the DIY route, where is the best place to get hold of a decent mechanism?

Cheers for any advise & guidance... this site has already been very helpful, (fixed my rattly door handle!)

 

[Mike_B]

Cant help with the price or how hard it is but this might help DIY: B6 A4 Window Regulator & Motor Replacement - i do hear that the cheepo repair kits on ebay are best avoided - Mike

 

[swarcup]

There are cheap ones on ebay which im told to avoid or you will be doing it again very soon. TPS or eurocarparts do them for around 80 quid or audi but not sure on the cost from there. The replacement is quite easy, have a look at the thread above or there is an excelent video on you tube, should be done in an hour. My passenger side one broke only a couple of days ago, lots of grinding noises.

 

[norris_309]

Yeah I've just watched the video, doesn't look too bad.
Plenty or opportunity to snap bits though!!!
Mine has been making a little grinding noise going down for a few weeks, then totally went yesterday.
I might take the door panel off and have a look, I guess you'll be able to see the fault from there.
Eurocarparts had the past for just under £40 the other day.... Now the sale finished its £66!! Damn.

I'm just a bit fed up of the car at the minute, fixed one knocking noise now I'm noticing more!!! Don't fancy spending loads on having the window done as I'm dreading what the next issue will be.
I know its a 10 year old car but never thought it'd need so much attention so soon.

 

[TheDriver]

£170 is too much imo unless it's genuine Audi parts that are being used as I recall the cost from Audi was just over £100 for the regulator when I enquired around Xmas time - TPS may be a bit cheaper.

I had the lot done for £119 parts/labour/vat included from a garage near my parents house in Lincolnshire, using EuroCarParts regulator (not my ideal choice but I was in a jam, window stuck down, long way from home and couldn't wait 2 days to get my hands on a genuine Audi one). Works well enough though, no issues as yet. Hear the odd creak every now and then from the regulator assembly but it really is the odd creak and is only audible for a split second.

It's definitely easy enough for DIY if you're handy with a spanner, just take your time and you should be alright. Chances are your cable or one of the plastic retaining clips has broken. Either way, when cars get to this age things are going to need replacing at a greater rate.

 

[Ian2012]

not a hard diy job you will need to buy some spare plastic door card clips as they break when you take the door card off, and i think you also need a really decent rivet gun, i seem to remember breaking my cheap one doing this job.

 

[norris_309]

Yeah I thought the price seemed a little high, however I think it might be genuine parts. Its from a vw/Audi specialists that I've used with my golf & theyve used genuine parts for all the work on that.
So I guess its pretty much an hours labour charge plus the part then.

Ian2012, what it the rivet gun for? I've not seen that mentioned before.

Also how would you stick the foam cover back to the door after its been taken off with a blade...??

 

[BakPak]

Got my replacement kit from GSF in Shrewsbury for around £70. Came as a complete unit, no rivet gun required. Probably took me 2 hours to replace. Quite simple really, just follow the guide.

 

[sumo]

Did mine this morning it took just over a hour (have done a few in my time!) I found a supplier on the bay who does them for £19.90 looked identical to genuine all the same colour plastic parts. They said they supply to Audi garages on the add, how true this is I don't know but its a two year guarantee any way.

Search carspares direct.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ian2012]

i could be getting mixed up with the A3 8L replacement needing a rivet gun, i seem to remember having to drill out rivets and replace

 

[sumo]

No there are no rivets just torx bolts.

 

[norris_309]

Thanks for the replies, I'm waiting on a quote from an old mate who's a mechanic, as I'm not sure when I'll get chance to have a go myself.
Depending on the price I get quoted will decide whether I attempt it or not!!
Would be kind of nice to do it in case there other one goes!

Saying that, might chop the thing in if I get too many more issues lol!!

 

[norris_309]

I've done it!!! Lol
Eurocarparts had there never ending sale on so bought a regulator from there yesterday for just over £40.
Fitted it this morning following the audizine guide which was absolutely spot on!
Including a bacon sandwich a cuppa & a quick chat with the neighbour, it took around 2.5 hours.
I broke all but 2 clips on the door panel lol but other than that its done.

A note about the ecp regulator, the 2 metal runners are about half the width of the original one, which did concern me, but it works.
Also the 3 pins that the motor screws into don't have the catches on them like OE one, but all in all, its not bad.

 

[TheDriver]

Well done mate! Saved yourself over a wonner aswell

 

[norris_309]

Cheers, I've impressed myself.
Oil, filters & brakes are my normal limit.
As my luck is with this car, I thought I'd give it as go as I expect the other side will go too!!!...

Need to attempt the rear bumper removal to change 2 parking sensors now!

 

[mubzy79]

Hi guys I have the same problem I phone up Audi parts n they tell me I need rivets for this part too. I would prefer to install OEM part but the rivet thing is putting me off.did any of you guys who installed OEM part have to use rivets too?as its tempting to go for ecp as it's only £40 now

 

[sumo]

Hi guys I have the same problem I phone up Audi parts n they tell me I need rivets for this part too. I would prefer to install OEM part but the rivet thing is putting me off.did any of you guys who installed OEM part have to use rivets too?as its tempting to go for ecp as it's only £40 now

No rivets needed fella.