The Audi thread

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""Jeff V.""] This was WAY more of a pain in the ass than it should have been...[/quote]

I think this post from awhile back pretty much sums up this entire thread.

[Chris GTO TT]

And I've spent the last half hour looking at V10 Touaregs

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]And I've spent the last half hour looking at V10 Touaregs [/quote]

I checked every day for CTTs and c6zs

[vr4]

[quote=""Jeff V.""]Which one of us keeps saying he wants a Porsche Cayenne? AKA VW Touareg, AKA Audi Q7.[/quote]



Fwiw that comment wasn't directed at you. Just in general I have a few people that ask me and go against my recommendations. They then bitch about how shitty and expensive their new car is.


Sometimes I just wanna choke a bitch

[Chris GTO TT]

My problem is I want something functional and interesting without having the reliability of a Yugo. I realize many of the interesting cars I like are a terrible idea but I still kind of want them. I've owned a Starion, 3000GT VR-4, Legacy spec.B all eccentric cars. Even my normal cars were somewhat eccentric, manual 20th Anniversary Edition Maxima, V8 Explorer and functionally low Miatas. I even convinced my now wife to buy a Legacy 2.5GT Wagon.

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]My problem is I want something functional and interesting without having the reliability of a Yugo. I realize many of the interesting cars I like are a terrible idea but I still kind of want them. I've owned a Starion, 3000GT VR-4, Legacy spec.B all eccentric cars. Even my normal cars were somewhat eccentric, manual 20th Anniversary Edition Maxima, V8 Explorer and functionally low Miatas. I even convinced my now wife to buy a Legacy 2.5GT Wagon.[/quote]

I feel ya on that. Really every issue my first vr4 had was my own damn fault. My 200k mile 01 explorer has had not one mechanical failure even though everyone says they're terrible. ( Yes it has had neglect and mileage related failures. Timing cover gasket, ball joints, ac compressor, radiator)

CTT is supposed to be a good truck. Yes very expensive to maintain if you're paying someone to do it. Common failures are the front driveline, suspension compressor (cheaply and easily repaired with vw parts), and ignition coils (expected expense. I get them fairly cheap anyways).

[DCIV]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]My problem is I want something functional and interesting without having the reliability of a Yugo. I realize many of the interesting cars I like are a terrible idea but I still kind of want them. I've owned a Starion, 3000GT VR-4, Legacy spec.B all eccentric cars. Even my normal cars were somewhat eccentric, manual 20th Anniversary Edition Maxima, V8 Explorer and functionally low Miatas. I even convinced my now wife to buy a Legacy 2.5GT Wagon.[/quote]

I think we all fall into this category. I know I do!!!!! I think the main thing we all should think is that we all still need reliable daily drivers. Get the crazy vehicle...once you have a reliable daily.

Anyways, too much Audi work, not enough pick up work! Focus!


Coop

[Jeff V.]

Yeah. I need to get this truck moving again.

[Jeff V.]

This is my life



Anyway, here's what failed. I have no idea how this got through quality control, but there was less than 1/8" of actual weld penetration on one side of the hinge. Somehow it still held up for 10 years.



The back side of the hinge was fine, but once the front weld failed, the back side wasn't able to hold up for long. The arm broke off the hinge pivot while I was removing the assembly. If I had opened and closed it another time or two, the whole thing would have completely failed.

I slapped an ugly weld on it, then ground it down so it was less ugly. It's buried under a bunch of trim, so there's no way to see it when the trunk trim is installed. It's solid enough that I can rock the whole car. The paint is drying overnight. It should all be buttoned back up tomorrow.

[mjannusch]

Looks like the powder coating was holding it together more than the weld. lol...

[Jeff V.]

You're not far off It was as much paint as it was weld.

I got all the hardware installed and re-aligned today. It's good and solid. I'll wait a few days before I put all the pesky trunk trim back in, just in case.

The next owner will never even know it happened

[Chris GTO TT]

I so love that color still!

Also I could put down a better weld than the stock one blindfolded

[Jeff V.]

I almost did it blindfolded. My auto darkening helmet wasn't working, and I get it clamped in a vice on the floor. My garage is a disaster right now thanks to having the truck blown apart. Even in better times, I don't have a good work space where I'd be comfortable having hot welding slag flying away from. I pulled the car outside and did my welding in the empty spot.

It's going to be really interesting when I start adding stuff to the engine bay in the truck. hnoes: