Assistance needed with vandalism repairs

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On vacation in Latvia from Switzerland my A2 was regrettably vandalized. The passenger window (Right side) was broken and the radio as well as various personal items were stolen. They even stole the warranty & service books. Yesterday I took the car to the local Audi dealer in Riga to replace the window and spent over SEVEN (7) hours waiting for the window to be replaced! In the end I was explained that the problem was not in replacing the window, per se, but in removing the broken glass from the door frame. The service advisor explained that they did all they could think of: vacuumed, removed the door and shook it upside down, used compressed air and even tweezers to remove the glass. However, when I shut the door I hear the unmistakeable sound of broken glass. What to do? My dealer is stumped. He says that the construction of the door is such that it would appear that you would need to remove the doorskin from the frame to access some of the areas. Has anyone run across such a problem? What is the fix? Any ideas? Thanks for listening.
 
Hi Steve,

Very sorry to read about your unhappy experience. I always fear that something similar will happen to my car (and my personal belongings inside) too. :( (leaving for Italy this Sunday, btw).

As for the interior of the door: anyone (and especially a dealer) is able to get to the most inner parts of the door by removing the interior door trim, followed by a removal of the metal surface that lies behind it. A matter of some unclipping and unscrewing. So I don't see why they couldn't get a vacuumcleaner in there.
Moreover, I don't even think that an A2 is special in this respect. Any car door with a broken window should be approached in this way. Though perhaps a 'regular' car has a simpler sort of sealing for the innermost part.

So I guess that a visit to your regular dealer should fix it.

I hope things get sorted for you. And I also hope that you didn't loose to many personal stuff with the theft. Good luck!

Edo


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(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
Hi Edo, Thanks for the condolences & advice. Unfortunately, according to the local Audi dealer here (who by the way has a magnificent new facility that is significantly better that those I have frequented in Switzerland) the A2 is completely different, in respect to the doors than all other Audis. They replace many windows in other models on a regular basis and have never run into such a problem. It seems that there are areas of the lower door that are totally inaccessible for servicing, and this is where the shards of glass have gone. It was explained to me that they can get in, but they have no way to get them out. The only idea they have not tried (and for good reason) is to remove the outer panel of the door from the door frame itself. This, obviously would permit removal of the glass shards, but would also entail replacing the door panel, or a re-paint, neither of which I want. So...back to the drawing board. Maybe, someone out there will come up with an idea. I go back tomorrow to the dealer, who is again going to dissassemble the door, remove it from the car & try with water, compressed are & vacuum to get the glass. Wish me luck.
 
I indeed wish you luck, but your dealer seems serious enough. Which is good.

I didn't tell you in my previous reply, but I haven't felt the need to remove the inner metal trim surface myself. So I'm not 100% sure about what you might find behind it.
All I do know, is that upon removal of the speaker frame, I found a tight space with a number of...how do I say this in English....bulkheads in between the inner and outer surface. But with small gaps at the edges to keep it open (for air and glass splinters!). I forced my speaker wires in between these, but maybe your dealer is right and so maybe these 'bulkheads' are also in other areas.
But after reading numerous threads about people that stick sound-deadening sheets of material to the inside of the outer surface, I reckoned that it should be fairly accessible behind it....

Why don't you stay around when your dealer removes the trim? Then you can see for yourself. Shouldn't take them more than 10 minutes, I guess.

Regards,

Edo

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(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
The area of the "bulkheads" you mention sounds like the area the service advisor was explaining to me earlier this week. You may be correct in that once something gets into these areas, it's almost a "one way trip". I do definitely plan on supervising at least some of the work this time. I will also bring my digital camera and take some pix. If they are successful in finding a solution, it may help someone else to know the details in case they ever have the misfortune of this same problem. Regards, Steve
 
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