What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?
- Thread starter Dani_B19
- Start date
It's normal on the higher powered models... my 2.0 the bushes were dried but not cracked like that some had play... so replaced them all anyway.Its pretty standard bushing failure on higher milage B7's.
More joy today as that lower arm on the drivers side that gave me so much grief removing, the passenger side arm came out sooo much more easily.
I took my time, no heat and no balljoint splitter needed, just two good whacks with the same hammer I used unsuccessfully on the drivers side and it popped out. I didn't even hit it hard as I had noticed last week that the sump plug or sender was weeping so I decided to drain the sump and remove the sender then use a new copper washer on the sump plug and some sealant around the sender. And whilst I waited for the oil to drain out the hammer was to hand and I thought I may as well hit the hub. I must have hit the sweet spot as I didn't hit it hard at all and also I was at the wrong angle to give it a good hard whack.
Thinking about it now though I had used a one of these Sealey arm pullers from Amazon first but I didn't think I got enough torque on it as it started to slip so I had removed it, thought I'd drain the oil whilst I removed the other arm to allow the puller to get a better grip. So maybe the puller did enough to allow the whack with the hammer to work.
I started to feel that good I had a go at removing the infamous pinch bolt with some heat and grease and it started to turn as I had backed the nut off... but then it stopped turning and I knew the head of the bolt would shear off so I stopped, tightened it back up a bit and will try again in the morning after the gym. I now have a pin punch set so will shear the bolt off, use the nut to pull it through as much as possible then use the punches to hammer it through. I need to make the most of the good weather as tomorrow could be last of the warm/hot days this year.
I also managed to drain the oil catch tank again of the gravy accumulated in the last month or two. There was more than shown here as the cap has a small hole in it which I only noticed when I picked it up and noticed a puddle on the bumper support and drops on the ground when carrying to where I took the photo. So much happier this being drained from the catch can than going through the intercoolers, the gunking up the inlet manifold.
Today I bottled it changing the front shock as the weather was too unpredictable and so settled for changing the rear drop links which I found whilst rummaging in the garage for a tool yesterday. But with it being my garage and losing tools, parts and other things, I could only find the one so replaced it whilst I was still annoyed with myself. Weirdly enough I found two front drop links which I think are for my previous A3. And with the rear wheels off I took the opportunity to bleed the rears as I felt there wasn't enough bite from initial push off the pedal. Fluid was filthy. Now where is that other drop link???
I took my time, no heat and no balljoint splitter needed, just two good whacks with the same hammer I used unsuccessfully on the drivers side and it popped out. I didn't even hit it hard as I had noticed last week that the sump plug or sender was weeping so I decided to drain the sump and remove the sender then use a new copper washer on the sump plug and some sealant around the sender. And whilst I waited for the oil to drain out the hammer was to hand and I thought I may as well hit the hub. I must have hit the sweet spot as I didn't hit it hard at all and also I was at the wrong angle to give it a good hard whack.
Thinking about it now though I had used a one of these Sealey arm pullers from Amazon first but I didn't think I got enough torque on it as it started to slip so I had removed it, thought I'd drain the oil whilst I removed the other arm to allow the puller to get a better grip. So maybe the puller did enough to allow the whack with the hammer to work.
I started to feel that good I had a go at removing the infamous pinch bolt with some heat and grease and it started to turn as I had backed the nut off... but then it stopped turning and I knew the head of the bolt would shear off so I stopped, tightened it back up a bit and will try again in the morning after the gym. I now have a pin punch set so will shear the bolt off, use the nut to pull it through as much as possible then use the punches to hammer it through. I need to make the most of the good weather as tomorrow could be last of the warm/hot days this year.
I also managed to drain the oil catch tank again of the gravy accumulated in the last month or two. There was more than shown here as the cap has a small hole in it which I only noticed when I picked it up and noticed a puddle on the bumper support and drops on the ground when carrying to where I took the photo. So much happier this being drained from the catch can than going through the intercoolers, the gunking up the inlet manifold.
Today I bottled it changing the front shock as the weather was too unpredictable and so settled for changing the rear drop links which I found whilst rummaging in the garage for a tool yesterday. But with it being my garage and losing tools, parts and other things, I could only find the one so replaced it whilst I was still annoyed with myself. Weirdly enough I found two front drop links which I think are for my previous A3. And with the rear wheels off I took the opportunity to bleed the rears as I felt there wasn't enough bite from initial push off the pedal. Fluid was filthy. Now where is that other drop link???
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Just went out and looked at the OS with the replaced panel... the front where the bumper bends around the wing wasn't sitting right and it had to much flex... I pulled the bumper off half way to inspect. I found that i skipped to attach the bottom front support of the panel, stupid really but it happens as it falls behind the bumper and basically is out of sight. I took all the fasteners from the donor vehicle so i just had to pick the right short t30 bolt ( one without black paint on it, and there where 2 instead of just one) longstory short it all is lined up and sits like nothing has ever happened to the car at all. Actually it looks better than when I just bought the car as that panel had a small dent in the wheel arch bit right above the wheel, it was hard to spot but yeah once you'd seen it, it was always insight and a darn eyesore it was too.
I also bought 2 new rear tires and had them fitted but this was last week, don't know if i mentioned it before... Anyway car looks like a well cared for murdered daily ride.
I also bought 2 new rear tires and had them fitted but this was last week, don't know if i mentioned it before... Anyway car looks like a well cared for murdered daily ride.
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After bleeding the rears I still wasn't happy with feel of the brakes and was about to order some rear hoses when I realised I ordered a set months ago which surprisingly I managed to find. Got them replaced yesterday with careful use of the blowtorch to loosen the rusty nuts before using too much force and snapping the brake pipe.
I only realised when I did the second one that the retaining clip was missing which made it so much harder to replace.
So much better now these have been replaced, the old ones were woeful and had so much flexibility.
Also realise that I need to replace my upper arms too AND my driveshaft is getting noisy with that tear in the boot and, and, and...
I only realised when I did the second one that the retaining clip was missing which made it so much harder to replace.
So much better now these have been replaced, the old ones were woeful and had so much flexibility.
Also realise that I need to replace my upper arms too AND my driveshaft is getting noisy with that tear in the boot and, and, and...
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That said i found the direct replacements for the oem s-line sport suspension going for a decent amount... now to price the lot up with top mounts, dustcovers and new springs. I'm not lowering the car because it's better for me to keep it at the normal ride height. ( i got the avant to carry around some heavy stuff)
More joy...NOT. Well partly.
I managed to remove the shock but am still struggling to remove one of the upper arms holding the shock in place. I think I'm going to use the angle grinder to slice the into the offending arm which won't come out. Worse case scenario, I just buy another hub carrier as I'm starting to make too much of a mess with drilling the bolt out. Since I had to move the coolant reservoir to get to one of the top mount bolts, I thought I'd drain, remove ad try and clean the muck out of it as it's been bugging me for ages.
Shock removed and replaced with the new top rubber mount but still can't remove the upper arm. Let's hope I get it out tomorrow so I can just put the new shock in.
I managed to remove the shock but am still struggling to remove one of the upper arms holding the shock in place. I think I'm going to use the angle grinder to slice the into the offending arm which won't come out. Worse case scenario, I just buy another hub carrier as I'm starting to make too much of a mess with drilling the bolt out. Since I had to move the coolant reservoir to get to one of the top mount bolts, I thought I'd drain, remove ad try and clean the muck out of it as it's been bugging me for ages.
Shock removed and replaced with the new top rubber mount but still can't remove the upper arm. Let's hope I get it out tomorrow so I can just put the new shock in.
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Fitted Audi TT Mk2 FBSW and airbag.
I used the guide on this forum, used a A4 B7 airbag loom instead of moving pins in the connector.
The only confusion about the guide was the 2 black wires, there are actually 3 tabs, so the wire that went to the ground tab on the airbag chassis
needs a larger female tag, (see picture on guide) but does not show the any wire connected to the Airbag tab.
I joined another wire on that ground wire and connected to the airbag tab.
I checked the TT airbag loom with a meter and the 2 wires are on the same pin, so did this on the A4 loom.
All fitted and working, no problems at all.
The only issue with this mod is finding parts in good condition, very difficult to find an airbag that looks good.
It looks like Audi cheaped out on the airbag plastic chrome, even the one I fitted a bit came off.
There are airbags with chrome ring, and black ones without, I wish I bought a black one now !!
I used the guide on this forum, used a A4 B7 airbag loom instead of moving pins in the connector.
The only confusion about the guide was the 2 black wires, there are actually 3 tabs, so the wire that went to the ground tab on the airbag chassis
needs a larger female tag, (see picture on guide) but does not show the any wire connected to the Airbag tab.
I joined another wire on that ground wire and connected to the airbag tab.
I checked the TT airbag loom with a meter and the 2 wires are on the same pin, so did this on the A4 loom.
All fitted and working, no problems at all.
The only issue with this mod is finding parts in good condition, very difficult to find an airbag that looks good.
It looks like Audi cheaped out on the airbag plastic chrome, even the one I fitted a bit came off.
There are airbags with chrome ring, and black ones without, I wish I bought a black one now !!
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Sstruggling to wire in diy led strips have done dash and now trying doors but not sure where to pick up a switched live or power in door cards
Part service ,oil change and fuel filter ,looking by the state of it it was due one
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the fuel filter is often overlooked and can in the end be the reason for bad injectors... I replace mine every big service regardless of the fact they can last for a longer time... thing is the older the car gets the more likely it is that the tank has some form of dirt or algea( latter especially with diesels) in it so I rather replace the filter more often. They aren't expensive anyway. And replacing them is such an easy and quick job it's a no brainer really... although on the petrol versions you have to remove one of the bottom cover panels to get to it since it's under the car... still easy and quick enough to replace. I do run fuelsystem cleaners a every so often but that doesn't mean the tank is clean... i's just less dirty and with the age these b7's are now it's best to try and keep the fuelsystem as clean as possible especially with the ethanol content in the fuel these days. Just lookup what the side effect of ethanol is and you'll understand that running a fuelsystem cleaner every so often is a must if you want to keep the car healthy
Part service ,oil change and fuel filter ,looking by the state of it it was due one
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I stick some redex in every now and again
I’m afraid to say it seems the 2 previous owners (or their service garages) overlooked the fuel filter.I was going through my service book and can’t see any entries for it and with the part no and Audi badge on the one I’ve just removed I worry if it’s ever been done
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I’m afraid to say it seems the 2 previous owners (or their service garages) overlooked the fuel filter.I was going through my service book and can’t see any entries for it and with the part no and Audi badge on the one I’ve just removed I worry if it’s ever been done
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@Jamsmoo do your wallet and the car a favour and ditch redex in favour of Dipetane... a bottle is more expensive but it's usage per liter is way less and has better results than redex. I used redex myself for a longtime until i stumbled upon Dipetane... i do use STP's fuelsystem cleaner every 4000 miles to keep the fuelsystem as clean as possible but i use Dipetane every other full tank. Mainly because the maintenance on my car was neglected by the previous owner ( 2 years of nothing, not even brake pads) and it removes algea and water from the complete fuelsystem.... the rest i leave to the STP to deal with but the STP for petrol ups the octane number by 8 points ... the diesel version does the same for the cetane number.
FYI Dipetane works for both diesel and petrol.
FYI Dipetane works for both diesel and petrol.
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Thanks for the pointer and info ,I’ll make the switch
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The heated function of the recaros has never worked
It never bothered me and I never thought it would .I had heated in my last seats and I never used them however the fact the little temp roller on the ccu doesn’t do anything has now started to bug me.
Today I decided to look into it ,suspected the elements so plugged my old seat base in which confirmed it
So I’m gonna try and transplant the element from my old seat into the recaros
After stripping seats before I thought the trickiest part would be separating the donor element neatly and intact from the sponge…so far so good
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It never bothered me and I never thought it would .I had heated in my last seats and I never used them however the fact the little temp roller on the ccu doesn’t do anything has now started to bug me.
Today I decided to look into it ,suspected the elements so plugged my old seat base in which confirmed it
So I’m gonna try and transplant the element from my old seat into the recaros
After stripping seats before I thought the trickiest part would be separating the donor element neatly and intact from the sponge…so far so good
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Another element seperated and one of the recaros stripped ,the mrs is currently hand washing the foam pad in the bath as we suspected the seats were once owned by John player himself
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Another element seperated and one of the recaros stripped ,the mrs is currently hand washing the foam pad in the bath as we suspected the seats were once owned by John player himself
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Tempted to do away with the leg extension section as I feel they’re a potential failure point
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That’s the passenger seat done ,sline elements in seat ,extension and back (refitting the drawer can wait ,I need a shower and bed )
Wife will be happy ,not sure I want a heated seat that much to go through that again
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Lol once you got it working you'll wonder why you waited that long to sort it out.
That’s the passenger seat done ,sline elements in seat ,extension and back (refitting the drawer can wait ,I need a shower and bed )
Wife will be happy ,not sure I want a heated seat that much to go through that again
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Update on my FBSW, managed to change the airbag to a black one, no more chrome ring to watch it peeling off.
There are 2 black airbags, one with mesh patten in the centre, and one just plain, I think the mesh one looks better.
Anyone need any advise with this mod please ask.
Selling my steering wheel that was removed, 3 spoke with red stitching, with airbag.
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Just finished replacing the brake pads on all 4 corners... I washed the car 2 days ago and saw the outer pads where kinda flat. So needed doing ASAP got what I could get nearby at a decent price... brembo sport pads.. oww and repainted the calipers as they were in need of a top up.
600+ mile round trip to Scotland and back over the last 2 days ,didn’t miss a beat
3.0 tdi tiptronic is a bit of a thirsty lump around town but stick it in cruise on a motorway and it’s economy and comfort still astounds me for a 17 year old car
The Quattro was still fun around the twisty b roads around Lanark /carluke
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3.0 tdi tiptronic is a bit of a thirsty lump around town but stick it in cruise on a motorway and it’s economy and comfort still astounds me for a 17 year old car
The Quattro was still fun around the twisty b roads around Lanark /carluke
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Yesterday I found a little rust spot on the drivers side front wing, just next to the drivers door, above the bottom part of the side skirt ....NOOOOOO!!!! Attacked it wit rust converter, than used my all in one touchup paint to get it in the right coulor... let it dry and today will check if the spot needs buffing ... probably not as it was so small.
oww and 3 days ago i put some new floormats in the car, just cheap ebay special audi a4 b7 floormats... they can be in there for the bad weather, for that price of 13 pounds i don't care what happens to them.
oww and 3 days ago i put some new floormats in the car, just cheap ebay special audi a4 b7 floormats... they can be in there for the bad weather, for that price of 13 pounds i don't care what happens to them.
Noticed a few black grease blobs on my nearside front wheel, closer inspection has revealed a split outter cv boot again, that is another Apec failure in less than 12 months.
will be having a serious conversation with them on monday thats for sure.
will be having a serious conversation with them on monday thats for sure.
Got an apec rear outer cv in the parts bin,bought when I changed the rear bearing just in case
Very nearly fitted it when I swapped the bearing,glad I didn’t
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Very nearly fitted it when I swapped the bearing,glad I didn’t
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lol if i was in your shoes @Charlie Farley i would contact J&R and ask for their upgraded driveshafts... stating that you've been having ripped boots every so many months and that you are sick off it.. they do upgraded ones on request... that's where i got mine from for the VR6 back in the day and i never had a problem with the cv-boots again, it's also the reason why i always replace mine with their offerings... i don't buy the boots i buy the complete driveshaft assembly simply because i worked out it's cheaper to just replace the lot, and it looks better because they are new parts.
I have yet to run into a car at these ages that doesn't have at least one of the disk locating bolts sheered off... I haven't sorted it on my car either, I'll tackle it next summer.
Turns out on closer inspection to be both sides again.
I've had a pointless conversation with Apec today, they know there is an issue with A4 B7 drive shafts they supply but don't want to admit it, anyway, the shop I used has sorted it out and organized a full refund so I'll be looking at something else 3rd time around.
Don't even go near them without some heat first then a Vessel impact driver, not been a problem for me thus far using that method, but agreed they can be a pain to get out otherwise.
oww that isn't the problem though... it's when you go to replace your brake pads or driveshafts, when you actually notice that the darn thing has a sheered off brake disk locating bolt. It just means more work that i couldn't be ***** with at the time i noticed it... and frankly forgot about until i saw that post.
Note my reply: I bought my car like that and it'll stay that way until next summer. I got those brake disk locating bolts as spares in my tool box anyway.
So yesterday my wipers stop working but i could hear the motor spin.... so popped up the bonnet and looked down at the wiper linkages... to find the nut on motor spindle missing... so here is me looking for it ( yeah it should be in one of the drain holes or on the bottom of the scuttletray) well it's gone no reason for it to be off and dissapear like that... luckily it's just an M8 nut I didn't even bother to pull the lot out. I had a few new ones with that nylon lock ring in them... i turned the wiper motor on for a full sweep before putting the bolt on... and than repositioned the wiper arms back to their respective previous position... problem sorted. (i could slip the nut onto the motor spindle and bolt it back on while it was still inplace)
I'm still wondering how it is even possible for the nut to come off (and dissapear) since i've never had a problem with the wipers or the mechanism on this car before...
I'm still wondering how it is even possible for the nut to come off (and dissapear) since i've never had a problem with the wipers or the mechanism on this car before...