Another one? The Journey of Chad.

[datsundrew]

So, firstly a big Thank you to Cat Kangaroo on here for selling me her Dolphin grey A2 today, she and her partner Simeon were absolutely lovely and it was a pleasure to meet them.
Some will no doubt have seen this car advertised recently in Bristol, with a few issues, the big one being the front glass panel of the OSS smashed and taped over, a wobble, and due a service plus a few other niggles. I went this morning with my friend Jim (who also wants an a2 now) and we drive it home the 30 miles back to Trowbridge. He drove back to Bath where he got nervous of running out of fuel after sitting in a huge traffic jam, so we fuelled up, and swapped drivers. I immediately noticed that the new Audi was way quieter than my own, even though I’ve just replaced a front wheel bearing, and it drives really well apart from the noted ‘wobble’.
To be honest, I was unsure of what would be the fate of the new A2, as it was looking a bit tired and has its issues, It has a huge service history with it and it’s got mot.
So……what now? Well it came with a fair bit of moss and grime so I got the pressure washer out and set about giving it a thorough cleaning, and then cutting compound and polish……the result? Well I’m really amazed at how good it now looks! Most of the scratches came out and it’s got a good shine to it, even the engine bay looks good now
I spent all afternoon on it to get this far but am very happy!
before…..

 

[datsundrew]

And after several hours work…..

 

[datsundrew]

My Brother has fallen in love with my A2, and we’re looking out for a good one from him, however I think when he sees this he will probably want it. So……jobs to do…..
the roof issue is the big one, I’m pretty sure there’s no chance of finding another glass panel, so I’ll have to get creative. At the moment I’m thinking a Perspex panel carefully cut and tiger seal, or I have some 4mm rigid plastic that would do that I could paint or wrap possibly? Any ideas gratefully received!
i noticed the clutch release bearing can be noisy occasionally (in heavy traffic) and the pedal is quite high, so that’s on the cards. Secondly, the wobble! I’m fairly sure it’s not a buckled wheel as it can be felt through the steering from around 30 mph if you accelerate hard, driven gently it’s not really noticeable until around 55 MPH. It feels to me like it’s a drive shaft or CV joint? Other than that, all the other bits should be easy to sort. I’ll keep you all posted!

So we now have 3 Audi A2’s on the drive, lol

 

[steve_c]

the roof issue is the big one, I’m pretty sure there’s no chance of finding another glass panel, so I’ll have to get creative.

Is it not worth discussing the possibility of a repair with @Kleynie ?

 

[2work]

Evening Drew,

I’ve got the original OSS from project OEM in the garage. I’ve never tried to remove the panel that you show shattered but if there is a way then you’re welcome to have the panel if I can get it removed.

I pop down to the Stonehenge area now and then so could probably meet up to part-deliver if you’re in no rush. Only down that way last week and probably not going again until next year now unfortunately.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[datsundrew]

Tom that would be amazing, I’ve no idea how it come off, the glass is obviously bonded to the steel, I’m wondering if the steel panel comes off separately somehow? I think I need to have a conversation with Kleynie on this.

 

[2work]

Tom that would be amazing, I’ve no idea how it come off, the glass is obviously bonded to the steel, I’m wondering if the steel panel comes off separately somehow? I think I need to have a conversation with Kleynie on this.

Hi Drew,

Yes do that and I’ll see if I can follow any guidance he maybe able to offer. The OSS is standing in the garage and should find time tomorrow evening to have a look at how it might be dismantled. Happy on how to remove the 2 moving panels but never investigated the front or rear panel.

Keep me updated.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[A2Steve]

Why not just drive up to @2work and collect the whole roof? A non working oss with good glass has surely got to be better than this damaged one?

 

[robskiA2tdi]

So, firstly a big Thank you to Cat Kangaroo on here for selling me her Dolphin grey A2 today, she and her partner Simeon were absolutely lovely and it was a pleasure to meet them.
Some will no doubt have seen this car advertised recently in Bristol, with a few issues, the big one being the front glass panel of the OSS smashed and taped over, a wobble, and due a service plus a few other niggles. I went this morning with my friend Jim (who also wants an a2 now) and we drive it home the 30 miles back to Trowbridge. He drove back to Bath where he got nervous of running out of fuel after sitting in a huge traffic jam, so we fuelled up, and swapped drivers. I immediately noticed that the new Audi was way quieter than my own, even though I’ve just replaced a front wheel bearing, and it drives really well apart from the noted ‘wobble’.
To be honest, I was unsure of what would be the fate of the new A2, as it was looking a bit tired and has its issues, It has a huge service history with it and it’s got mot.
So……what now? Well it came with a fair bit of moss and grime so I got the pressure washer out and set about giving it a thorough cleaning, and then cutting compound and polish……the result? Well I’m really amazed at how good it now looks! Most of the scratches came out and it’s got a good shine to it, even the engine bay looks good now
I spent all afternoon on it to get this far but am very happy!
before…..

nice little project, looks like I was 2nd in the queue...good luck...looks lovely after clean.

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

My Brother has fallen in love with my A2, and we’re looking out for a good one from him, however I think when he sees this he will probably want it. So……jobs to do…..
the roof issue is the big one, I’m pretty sure there’s no chance of finding another glass panel, so I’ll have to get creative. At the moment I’m thinking a Perspex panel carefully cut and tiger seal, or I have some 4mm rigid plastic that would do that I could paint or wrap possibly? Any ideas gratefully received!
i noticed the clutch release bearing can be noisy occasionally (in heavy traffic) and the pedal is quite high, so that’s on the cards. Secondly, the wobble! I’m fairly sure it’s not a buckled wheel as it can be felt through the steering from around 30 mph if you accelerate hard, driven gently it’s not really noticeable until around 55 MPH. It feels to me like it’s a drive shaft or CV joint? Other than that, all the other bits should be easy to sort. I’ll keep you all posted!

So we now have 3 Audi A2’s on the drive, lol

My bet on the ‘wobble’ would be drive shafts.

 

[datsundrew]

nice little project, looks like I was 2nd in the queue...good luck...looks lovely after clean.

My bet on the ‘wobble’ would be drive shafts.

Do you think it would be the outer joints? that’s my 1st thought on it as the inners do very little. No sign of either being bent at all so can’t see what else it could be?

 

[datsundrew]

Is it not worth discussing the possibility of a repair with @Kleynie ?

I have messaged him, will see if he gets back to me.

 

[datsundrew]

Hi Drew,

Yes do that and I’ll see if I can follow any guidance he maybe able to offer. The OSS is standing in the garage and should find time tomorrow evening to have a look at how it might be dismantled. Happy on how to remove the 2 moving panels but never investigated the front or rear panel.

Keep me updated.

Kind regards,

Tom

Looking at it today, it looks like it’s possibly a thin steel panel with 4 bolts holding it down somehow, and the glass, (or what’s left of it) bonded to that?

 

[2work]

Looking at it today, it looks like it’s possibly a thin steel panel with 4 bolts holding it down somehow, and the glass, (or what’s left of it) bonded to that?

Evening Drew,

Didn’t get time today, servicing the lawnmower took priority which involved much more than anticipated as needed a new dog clutch fitting.

I’ll investigate the underside of the OSS one evening this week as it sounds like it could be just these 4 bolts you mention. Did Ian or Adam @Kleynie suggest anything.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

Do you think it would be the outer joints? that’s my 1st thought on it as the inners do very little. No sign of either being bent at all so can’t see what else it could be?

On my 1.4tdi. Which had done about 205,000 at the time, the splines that go into the gearbox had worn. This was causing it to make a horrible vibration at certain speeds (about 45mph) when under load.

 

[nod]

My Brother has fallen in love with my A2, and we’re looking out for a good one from him, however I think when he sees this he will probably want it. So……jobs to do…..
the roof issue is the big one, I’m pretty sure there’s no chance of finding another glass panel, so I’ll have to get creative. At the moment I’m thinking a Perspex panel carefully cut and tiger seal, or I have some 4mm rigid plastic that would do that I could paint or wrap possibly? Any ideas gratefully received!
i noticed the clutch release bearing can be noisy occasionally (in heavy traffic) and the pedal is quite high, so that’s on the cards. Secondly, the wobble! I’m fairly sure it’s not a buckled wheel as it can be felt through the steering from around 30 mph if you accelerate hard, driven gently it’s not really noticeable until around 55 MPH. It feels to me like it’s a drive shaft or CV joint? Other than that, all the other bits should be easy to sort. I’ll keep you all posted!

So we now have 3 Audi A2’s on the drive, lol

as others have suggested, driveshafts / cv joints - j&r do complete driveshafts with cv joints for the A2 which are cheap and cured the vibrations under acceleration on my tdi, around 120 for both sides i think.

 

[datsundrew]

as others have suggested, driveshafts / cv joints - j&r do complete driveshafts with cv joints for the A2 which are cheap and cured the vibrations under acceleration on my tdi, around 120 for both sides i think.

Great! So who’s J&R??

 

[2work]

Great! So who’s J&R??

Morning Drew,

J&R are the suppliers of very reasonably priced drive shafts which are jointed and booted each end. I’ve recently purchased a pair myself to overcome the very same shaking that you’re experiencing.

Near side:

Off side:

Have a look at this thread to get an idea of what the removal and fitting process involves. Certainly doable for an experienced DIYer but shouldn’t cost too much at your trusted garage of choice either. Depending how easy the joints come away from the hubs, an experienced mechanic could have these swapped over in an hour (per side). So if you don’t have the tools or aren’t confident to do this yourself then expect a 2 hour charge for labour.

Kind regards,

Tom

 

[datsundrew]

Morning Drew,

J&R are the suppliers of very reasonably priced drive shafts which are jointed and booted each end. I’ve recently purchased a pair myself to overcome the very same shaking that you’re experiencing.

Near side:
View attachment 99644

Off side:
View attachment 99645

Have a look at this thread to get an idea of what the removal and fitting process involves. Certainly doable for an experienced DIYer but shouldn’t cost too much at your trusted garage of choice either. Depending how easy the joints come away from the hubs, an experienced mechanic could have these swapped over in an hour (per side). So if you don’t have the tools or aren’t confident to do this yourself then expect a 2 hour charge for labour.

Kind regards,

Tom

Thanks Tom! I have ordered a pair, and funnily enough I’ve just put a new joint on my Daily A2, as I replaced both front wheel bearings yesterday, and discovered the hub nut was loose and the thread was stripped, so changing the shafts will be an easy job.

Evening Drew,

Didn’t get time today, servicing the lawnmower took priority which involved much more than anticipated as needed a new dog clutch fitting.

I’ll investigate the underside of the OSS one evening this week as it sounds like it could be just these 4 bolts you mention. Did Ian or Adam @Kleynie suggest anything.

Kind regards,

Tom

Thanks! No great hurry. Chris Warren lives close to me, and I believe he’s away at the moment, but I’m sure he recently did a roof swap, so I will contact him to see if he has the old one. I contacted Klyne , who said it is a separate panel, but it is a roof out job, and the tricky bit was getting it back in. I’m not fussed about getting it working.

 

[datsundrew]

So, today I had a day on this, and I’m a bit further ahead, and then back a little, lol.
the new driveshaft and clutch arrived in the week, so today was gearbox out, new clutch and back together and new driveshaft on the NS.
the good news is the clutch much lighter and smoother, the bad news is the noisy release bearing wasn’t and it’s the gearbox. A loud whirring noise at tickover with the clutch up, silent when clutch is down. Raising the revs sligh and it goes, so it’s an input shaft bearing. I’m not overly fussed about it, and it’s given me an idea. Rather than buy a standard box, I could go 6 speed in my nice A2 thats my commuter to Wales each week and use that box to replace the noisy one. I’ll think on that one.
the driveshaft I took off was really rough and jammed up when I took it off, and then somehow went very loose, all a bit weird, the grease was very old and sticky, definitely seen better days.
As a short to mid term fix, I’ve got some foamex board in 5mm on its way to make a panel to go where the broKen glass is. Chipping the glass offis a proper bas##rd of a job, and Im about 1/3 way. The glass is bonded to the rubber underneath, and the rummier to the steel under that. where the steel is rusty, the rubber comes off easily,