What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?

[northpole]

It could be the tires themselves if the car sits for long periods of time in one spot... way to battle it is raise the pressure to 40psi on all 4.. take it for a spin if the wobble is gone the tires got flat spots. And the wobble will be coming from that.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Just been down for the annual MOT, straight through for another year. .
Now, to get back to finishing the tuning and sorting the steering shake.

 

[Matt275]

Oil, filter and sump plug today....5k miles since the last one in November last year lol
OMFG how awkward is that undertray on a 30mm shingle drive...jeez.

Worryingly though, I realised how bad my two front tyres are. Very worn on the inside edges on both sides, about an inch or so, time for front wheel alignment?

There's about 3-3.5mm on most of the trye, but hardly anything on inside edges, doesn't look like normal wear. Is this camber or maybe toe perhaps? Definitely something going on....

I always run correct pressure, no never under or over etc....

Would putting 2 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S on the front matter - given that I have Pilot Sport 5's on the rear (tons of meat)

 

[northpole]

Camber is off tires are set for more grip during cornering mine are set for driving in a straight line. So the ware is even on all 4 tires. I used to run negative camber as it gives you more stability in corners so you can go faster in, during and out of them but found the tires ware uneven, very quick on the inside walls of the front tires... gets worse if the front is lowered and not aligned properly...

 

[Matt275]

Camber is off tires are set for more grip during cornering mine are set for driving in a straight line. So the ware is even on all 4 tires. I used to run negative camber as it gives you more stability in corners so you can go faster in, during and out of them but found the tires ware uneven, very quick on the inside walls of the front tires... gets worse if the front is lowered and not aligned properly...

I do get a sort of high pitch vibration if I dry steer whilst parked straight as I turn the wheel to steer out of a parking space. It comes through the steering wheel but you more hear it than feel it if that makes sense.

 

[Charlie Farley]

You probably allready know matt but just in case.

 

[Matt275]

Thanks Rob, yes looks like a toe issue. The tyres have done really well to be fair, still about 3mm apart from the edges, and working back to when I fitted them, I've done around 24k miles on them, so all in all I can't complain I blame all the plodding around I do for that hahaha

I've just ordered 2 Mich Pilot Sport 5 - same again.

235/40/R18 for £250 delivered from Camskill, plus will get £24 cashback from Michelin.

 

[northpole]

toe and camber ware can both look the same... the only way to make sure it's one or the other is to lift the car up and check the contact patch with a straight ruler...

 

[Charlie Farley]

Nothing on the old bus today, having ride out on the rebuilt GT instead , good bit of essential cardio workout, and enjoy some fresh air, may give the old bus a wash this afternoon.
Not often the MOD aren’t firing on the ranges these days.

 

[northpole]

I replaced the ns rear spring.. and now the car feel
S.even better to drive... spring was the same length as the new one, but it was way easier to compress, and it started to rust in the exact same spot as the OD one.

Glad I replaced it... also the rear now sits slightly higher and the car now has rake! Weird but if you got a b7 with reverse rake ... well chances are the springs lost their strength and probably the rear shocks are past their best too. Just replace them

 

[B7Tourer]

Ok got some funds in, so I've started to address the car in my little way; that may interest some of you:

1) new discs/pads/calipers all round; Borg Beck zinc aly coated (£530 incl. labour and some other work); On Wednesday I have 4 refurbished Ronals arriving (absolute eBay bargain £325 including delivery; properly shot blasted/powder coated - crappy kerbed sets cost mostly more than that) and later, in the week, a guy to put new Pirelli P Zeros on them (£484 incl. fitting/balance/valves and 20% discount); I'll refurb the existing ones then; replace one for the space saver; get it shodded with the same Pirelli; keeping the 3 other spares for reserve.

2) New glove box; hinges had cracked again and this time they could no be fixed with those kits. Second-hand (about £45) but totally undamaged and the damper piston is light and smooth. I had to cross over the loom from the old one, since this one did not have the Airbag switch. I did not have to cross over the puck latch - all keys work on all of them; contrary to popular opinion. Since it had the cutaway for the CD Changer, I bought the AMI iPod binnacle (£14) (it was an option on some B7s; this one is from a 2010 A3). The usb device, sat in the iPod dock, you see in the photo is the dongle for wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto; the other usbs are dash camera and Dab+; accessible for service reasons. I cut a small invisible hole in the iPod rear side. For those that don't know it's very easy to remove/replace the glove box - 5, 8mm bolts, 3 top inside, and 2 underneath outside.

3) Replace the universal cradle (brand new, from Germany £90 with P&P), in the arm rest, for charging and mobile data connection to the shark fin antenna; the other one was intermittent and I thought it might be the car wiring; but guessed it could be the cradle itself - apparently there was a revision, which I got. Very hard to come by now, I had a bit of a search. But then I must be about the only one who cares or uses them; very useful to me and the signal boost really works too. Finally, I came across the Audi branded wireless charging pad for 10 quid; it appears to be a genuine accessory from the packaging and it works well surprisingly.

Anyway there you go. A lot more comprehensive mechanical and some very minor cosmetic work to follow; as well as a big European Grand Tour afterwards this summer.

 

[Matt275]

Would like pics of the Ronals when they land if you can....

 

[B7Tourer]

Would like pics of the Ronals when they land if you can....

Yes sure thing Matt; will do... but this was one of the eBay photos and the seller is dropping them off personally too:

 

[northpole]

Yes sure thing Matt; will do... but this was one of the eBay photos and the seller is dropping them off personally too:View attachment 280586

they look like they just came out of the factory! nice find and not a bad price either... and the extra service for delivery is top! just don't curb them anytime soon it's easily done...

 

[Matt275]

Yes sure thing Matt; will do... but this was one of the eBay photos and the seller is dropping them off personally too:View attachment 280586

Stunning, absolutely stunning, same as mine, these and the infamous fat fives are my all time favourite Audi rims.
So this is a refurber on ebay? Got a link?

 

[Charlie Farley]

Yes sure thing Matt; will do... but this was one of the eBay photos and the seller is dropping them off personally too:View attachment 280586

They do look rather nice indeedy, allmost to good to fit on a car and get dirty etc.
Maybe just screw them to a mancave /garge wall and enjoy.

 

[Charlie Farley]

They would look even better with a lower profile tyre than the normal 235/40 that are fitted.

 

[Charlie Farley]

They do look rather nice indeedy, allmost to good to fit on a car and get dirty etc.
Maybe just screw them to a mancave /garge wall and enjoy.

And i've done that before ...lol

 

[B7Tourer]

Yes thanks chaps, I was rather pleased with that purchase I will get the old ones refurbed, as spares - the place I use do an excellent job; it was just this time I can't spend all day in Brum waiting for them to be done, on the car.

 

[northpole]

i got them in satin black and although i do like the s5 rotors more I'm not making the switch only one thing i noticed that is different to mine is the center caps... mine have a chrome ring around them... but they are now completely satin black... maybe you'll want to go for those center caps as it just looks nicer on oem silver and gun metal wheels

 

[Charlie Farley]

Looking at a set of rotors myself at the moment.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Just been out on an errand for the wife, one of many today as she is a bit unwell. parked up in my local M&S carpark which was unusually quiet for a change.
Walking away from the old bus it did look rather nice , and then on return it looked brilliant if I do say so myself.
It has so much class and style with the B7 platform, just enough curves and subtle angles. One word: awesome.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Whilst in M&S, I treated myself to a jam doughnut. it's been 1 year exactly today since my unexpected heart operation. I've been good all year and kept away from most things, but a small treat on the odd occasion is acceptable, and it tasted soooooooooooooooooooo good.

 

[northpole]

Just been out on an errand for the wife, one of many today as she is a bit unwell. parked up in my local M&S carpark which was unusually quiet for a change.
Walking away from the old bus it did look rather nice , and then on return it looked brilliant if I do say so myself.
It has so much class and style with the B7 platform, just enough curves and subtle angles. One word: awesome.

I have the same feeling each and every time I come back out and see it parked up... Hell i sometimes catch myself just sitting and looking at it whilst i smoke a ciggy (yeah i know bad habbit)

 

[B7Tourer]

So this is a refurber on ebay? Got a link?

Sorry Matt I missed this bit... no just a private seller, but I'll ask where he got them done. I use a place called City Wheels in Digbeth Brum; and they produce the same result normally, for 50 quid per corner, same day.

i got them in satin black and although i do like the s5 rotors more I'm not making the switch only one thing i noticed that is different to mine is the center caps... mine have a chrome ring around them... but they are now completely satin black... maybe you'll want to go for those center caps as it just looks nicer on oem silver and gun metal wheels

I've got the OEM grey with chrome rings caps on at the moment, Northpole; always preferred them; but these black ones look quite good - I might just leave them on.

They would look even better with a lower profile tyre than the normal 235/40 that are fitted.

I'm sticking with 235/40 Rob; the ride is just the right balance for me for an S-line. I'm trying the Pirellis for the first time; this is perhaps the greatest luxury for me, now having a few funds, after the cheap rubber on there now (always had OEM Pirelli P7s on the jags); I was going to go with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or 5s, but came across these P Zeros, with good reviews and a good discount. They seem to be even quieter than the Michelins; and I'm a nutter for refinement.

Walking away from the old bus it did look rather nice , and then on return it looked brilliant if I do say so myself.
It has so much class and style with the B7 platform, just enough curves and subtle angles. One word: awesome.

You put so much fine work into it mate; that you deserve that feeling. And the B7 is a classic in the making for sure; never tire of looking at mine

 

[B7Tourer]

Hell i sometimes catch myself just sitting and looking at it whilst i smoke a ciggy (yeah i know bad habbit)

You got stop that buddy... I quit this year at the demand of a good woman... I'm 60 and I feel a ton better since stopping... never too late. I cold turkeyed and not had the craving at all

 

[northpole]

You got stop that buddy... I quit this year at the demand of a good woman... I'm 60 and I feel a ton better since stopping... never too late. I cold turkeyed and not had the craving at all

i tried all ways of stopping nothing helped, problem is i get really cranky as i get dizzy spells and the worst headaches as bad as migraines... and every single time i quit the wife gets fed up of my mood swings and all of a sudden i get presented with the smoking stuff... the longest time i've been off it was a good 3 weeks ( with the worst migrain headaches ever, which was the trigger for me to smoke again)

oww and i got several vapes, but that just gives me a serious cough...

 

[northpole]

today i got the flappy pedals working as they should, radio controls from the MFSW and i just put my old wiper arm on without the DIS control... because i rather have the rear wiper working than get some info i've done without since i've owned the car, i can wait a bit longer to sort that out. But yes the ease of turning the volume up and down straight from the steeringwheel, or get the car in the right gear when you want to quickly overtake (instead of waiting for the mechatronic to think) is a very nice thing to have. there are a few little things left on my list of nice to have.. but i'm in no hurry

 

[Matt275]

Yesterday fitted xenon headlight bulbs courtesy of Rob
To say this was a struggle is an understatement..... the drivers side - airbox out, and bulb changed after a bit of a faff with the connector, but job done in about 20 minutes. Easy really....happy days and onto the passenger side.

Took the multiplugs out of the bracket near the PAS reservoir then bent that part of the bracket out the way - no harm done. Unbolted the PAS reservoir and moved it towards the engine and secured out of the way with a bungee.
Gently prized off the bulb connector and removed the old bulb. It was at this point where the struggle became somewhat real. Why on earth Audi give you no slack on the connector wiring is criminal! There wasn't any slack on the drivers side wiring, but didn't really cause an issue.

I ended up putting the bulb about half way in and turning it so the bulb socket was almost facing the passenger wing...after about two hours of cursing, slating Audi like you wouldn't believe, and wishing I had hands the size of a 2 year old, the connector finally went in. I used things like picks, 90 degree pliers etc...but nothing would work for me. So in the end it was more by feel / and luck to be honest. You can't even connect the bulb then fit it...just no slack in the wiring to allow that.

At one point I very nearly gave up and considered the bumper off and headlight out route...but didn't fancy that, so stuck with it.
Just half an inch (not even that) of slack would make these bulbs a doddle to change.

Anyway, they are in, and no flickering last night which would indicate my old drivers side bulb was failing rather than the ballast unit.

Rob thank you very much again for the bulbs, they are a nice crispy white and a nice clean beam

 

[Charlie Farley]

Morning Matt, Yep it's one of those jobs...but on the plus side you now know whats involved should you need to do it again, hopefully not just yet.
I think Audi just made the headlamp bulb access up as they went along, sort of , oh that will do..lol

Ive done the bulb swap 3 times now twice insitu and recently with headlamps off, It does get easier but not much
Its one of those jobs that you just know its going to be a right pain in the backside but just pays to get it done and out of the way.

Anyway, glad they are ok matt, nice to see them get used rather than stuck in my parts box then thrown away.

 

[northpole]

Does anybody know if you can legally retrofit led projectors? Without the MOT testers or cops having an issue with them?

 

[Charlie Farley]

I'm not sure, I think it a bit a grey area to be honest.

Maybe worth asking your local MOT guys.

 

[northpole]

I'm not sure, I think it a bit a grey area to be honest.

Maybe worth asking your local MOT guys.

I got conflicting answers from mot testers... this is the thing, it infact is a complete replacement of the halogen reflector and lamp for a LED projector unit... it should be legal to do so. Since the acrylic lenses do absolutely nothing in regards of spreading the light, be it Halogen, Xenon or LED light sources... (simply said the lens is clear so doesn't do jack all to the light pattern and serves the setup by shielding away from foreign elements) I get the part where they don't allow you to put in a retrofit LED or HID bulb in a halogen reflector unit, but if i was to replace the complete halogen reflector with a retrofit Bi-LED projector unit it should be legal. as every single bi-led unit i have been looking at carry a EU stamp on them. so they should infact be legal to use...

just waiting on someone who actually knows about this to give me a clear and precise answer. As i don't want to endup with a MOT fail because the lightsource is not legal.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Expecting my replacement S5 345mm discs tomorrow after they sent me the wrong ones last week....then back to the hybrid turbo project.
Hoping the new discs will solve the steering shake, but doubt it will but at least it will be another item of the possible cause list which is almost down to just the steering rack now .

 

[Dan_G]

Rear parking sensor replaced.

Got a bit lucky, unscrewed both sides by the wheel arches and then undid the rear right hand side nuts, after moving the Bose amp, and was able to get access to the outer most sensor without actually removing the bumper.

Plugged in eBay replacement sensor, screwed it all back together with minimal knuckle skin loss, and all back to working.

 

[norad97]

Expecting my replacement S5 345mm discs tomorrow after they sent me the wrong ones last week....then back to the hybrid turbo project.
Hoping the new discs will solve the steering shake, but doubt it will but at least it will be another item of the possible cause list which is almost down to just the steering rack now .

Hi Rob, what's happened to your remap from the USA.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Still awaiting the ODB cable and software, they sent it via snail mail instead of express , and I expect customs have probably intercepted it with some stupid tariff now .
running the OE K03 again until I have the cable and software , then refit the hybrid and sort it out, no point causing engine /turbo damage without some sort of appropriate hybrid map on the car.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Hi Rob, what's happened to your remap from the USA.

Hey Richard, drop me a PM when you want to meet up and use the tools .

 

[northpole]

just ordered new rear arb link bolts... just the ones that hold the links to the chassis and only the bolts... when i did the springs i loosened the bolts to find them in a poor state... i reused them one now is missing... not a big deal since i don't drive the car much or far these days ( i barely get to do 40mph as most is town driving) so just waiting for them to show up Thursday and bolt the new ones on... the arb links and their bushes are fine otherwise i would've replaced them.. just some dirt on them but that is it. not anymore though since i cleaned them.

 

[Charlie Farley]

The correct S5 discs have just arrived, will fit later.