Audi Service Early Morning !

[gq9]

So I went and took my car in this morning at 7:45am. Yay !!

Went in to have them check the timing belt thing that they do for free. They said mine needs to be done. I'm at 89k. Anyway, I go in specificly for my steering wheel vibrating. They road force balanced my wheels, thats fixed.

Service advisor goes, you have a ripped axel boot in the rear... an engine oil and coolant leak. SUPER.

So I'll come here and see what you guys think. I am covered under warranty for the oil and coolant leak, taking it there weds to have that done.

I'm not covered for the axel boot, and the timing belt. Parts and labor on the boot is 375, parts and labor on the belt is over 1200. The service guys grand total to me was like $2300. Not an amount I can lay out.

So is the boot something I can look to do myself, and find cheaper than $375 ..or do I have to bite the bullet and pay them.

I know the timing belt I can buy the parts and do it myself or pay less for labor so I already am going to tell them NOOOOO.

Thoughts info or any help appreciated

[diztek]

i would just buy the parts you need from ecs tuning or autohausaz or any other online retailer, and then take the parts to an independent vw/audi mechanic and then save yourself about $700.

[manhertm]

You can do the boot yourself, it's not that hard. The timing belt can be done for around $700 part included.

[Papachristou]

ive heard the boot is a messy job but not too hard.. i think shawn did one, most people just replace the whole deal

timing belt kit from www.purems.com is like $250 + $5 for a six pack and you are done... wayyy overrated on difficulty..

[Jibberific]

Have them cover the warranty stuff but do the boot and timing belt yourself. Lots cheaper, you learn about your car when you do it, and if you have tools and free time i don't see how hard it could be. Don't be afraid to pop the hood and start wrenching, its easier than you might think

[Papachristou]

i agree, ive installed everything on my car... it took me awhile sometimes and i might have some skinned knuckles but i feel like a MAN :) and i can look back and be proud, not just a yuppy s4 driver

[gq9]

Oh and I do love feeling like a MAN. hahaha Thanks. I'll probably do that then.

[AudiOso]

i agree, ive installed everything on my car... it took me awhile sometimes and i might have some skinned knuckles but i feel like a MAN :) and i can look back and be proud, not just a yuppy s4 driver

Why hate on S4 drivers?

[gq9]

So it's a left rear axle boot that is torn. Is that going to be a bitch ? lol, they wanted $375+ tax.

I just called and cancelled that and the timing belt. Soo yeah, I hope its not a major bitch. lmao

[dougyfresh]

If you want, we can do the boot too while we do the timing belt. I've never done a CV boot but it can't be harder than a timing belt (which isn't hard at all in my book). I'll do some reading and digging to figure out how to do it.

[koolade9]

I've done boots before, and they're less then a pretty job... perhaps after doing a few dozen I'd learn the tricks to changing them a little better, but the dealer is most likely charging you to just replace the whole 1/2 shaft...much quicker job, and you'll have the peice of mind not worrying about your boot change job going bad... just my opinion...

as for the TB... feel like a man, and do it yourself, hahaha

[kwimberly]

Re. the timing belt - I still have a problem with the settlement agreement. Audi should let you take the car for a second opinion on the TB (at the owner's expense), and then if it's confirmed that you need a TB job, you can bend over and let Audi do it to get the extended warranty.

[dougyfresh]

/\
But he's not over 100k yet. Audi will only pay for the job if you're over 100k as of today. Until then they will only do the 'inspection'.

[diagnosticator]

If you want, we can do the boot too while we do the timing belt. I've never done a CV boot but it can't be harder than a timing belt (which isn't hard at all in my book). I'll do some reading and digging to figure out how to do it.

The boots are relatively easy, but messy work. The inner joints are retained on the shaft by circlips that are tensioned by Belleville (wave) washers, so you need to press the inner CV hub against the washer to release the circlip for easy removal. The outer joints are retained only by an internal radial spring, to remove, set the shaft in a vice and use a pair of 2X4 boards a few feet long one on each side of the joint, and lever the joint off of the shaft. Use steady pressure as needed to effect the removal, same with reinstallation. NEVER USE A HAMMER! DO NOT POUND THE JOINT OFF OR ONTO the SHAFT! If a hammer is used to remove or install the joint, the CV can be damaged from the impacts causing the balls to dent the races inside the CV joint. (Same thing applies for ball bearings, never hammer against a BB!) A properly sized circlip plyer tool is essential. Also, the boot clamps need a specail tool available at any autoparts store, to tighten the clamp on the new boot. (KD Tools) Don't forget to add the required amount of new CV grease inside the joint, and the boot, divided.

[dougyfresh]

John,
Silicon grease works? Like a tub of Mobil 1 silicon grease?

[Maverick]

do whatever its covered by warranty then everything else not at the dealership
you need to take care of the boot!!!
the Timing Belt job you can get the parts yourself and get a local reputable shop and do it. that would save you like $1000 or more.

[diagnosticator]

John,
Silicon grease works? Like a tub of Mobil 1 silicon grease?

No, CV joint grease is usually black with very high pressure film strength additive (sulfur compounds, smelly,) the black color is from molybdenum/graphite additive. The special CV joint grease is often included with the new boots.

[dougyfresh]

No, CV joint grease is usually black with very high pressure film strength additive (sulfur compounds, smelly,) the black color is from molybdenum/graphite additive. The special CV joint grease is often included with the new boots.

Thanks!

[gq9]

do whatever its covered by warranty then everything else not at the dealership
you need to take care of the boot!!!
the Timing Belt job you can get the parts yourself and get a local reputable shop and do it. that would save you like $1000 or more.

Yeah it looks like thats what I will be doing. Doug is offering his help, so I'm going to take him up on it.

[kwimberly]

/\
But he's not over 100k yet. Audi will only pay for the job if you're over 100k as of today. Until then they will only do the 'inspection'.

I guess my point was this: I wonder how many good TB's will come back "bad" as a result of this litigation. It seems awfully tempting for audi to tell everyone that their TB is bad and that they have to pay for a new one in order to get the extended warranty. If you don't let them do it after the inspection, then you don't get the added warranty. I would just want the benefit of an indie shop to check and call bullshit if necessary. I guess people can still do that if they don't trust the dealer. If the inspection reveals a necessary replacement, then the customer can go get a second opinion. If that second opinion confirms it, then the customer would go back to Audi and have them do it to benefit from the added warranty.

[gq9]

I figured that since my car was at 89k they would obviously want to tell me it needs to get done, so they aren't responsible if it does let go. Also they want the $1200. He was awfully eager to set it up and all, didn't even ask me If I wanted it done.

[fitch303]

If you dont work on your own car then avoid doing the TB yourself. Ive put turbo kits on hondas and nissans as well as suspension work, and fuel systems. Even after all this the thought of doing something with such tight clearances scares me.

[gq9]

If you dont work on your own car then avoid doing the TB yourself. Ive put turbo kits on hondas and nissans as well as suspension work, and fuel systems. Even after all this the thought of doing something with such tight clearances scares me.

I agree, always ask for help!

[ttay1977]

I also took the car in for the free inspection at 82k miles. They said the belt was loose, had cracks and that "it can go anytime now". So last weekend I did the TB job myself. The old belt was fine. The dealership was full of BS.

[vc1492a]

dont know about the boots but my dealer did my timing belt, water pump, and fuel filter for $870 including tax.

they did an awesome job too

[gq9]

dont know about the boots but my dealer did my timing belt, water pump, and fuel filter for $870 including tax.

they did an awesome job too

Shit.. That's pretty good.

[zims666]

Anyway, I go in specificly for my steering wheel vibrating. They road force balanced my wheels, thats fixed.

was that covered under warranty? my stealer said it wasnt. wanted to charge me $340. how much was yours?

timing belt kit from www.purems.com is like $250 + $5 for a six pack and you are done... wayyy overrated on difficulty..

^^call me crazy, but that job even LOOKS like it would be fun

[gq9]

The hell. They wanted to charge you $340 for road force balancing ? Mine was 86 dollars. Not under warranty.

[bigbro]

They call them a stealership for a reason.

[SmokdOutA4]

i just changed my driver side cv axle bc the inner boot to the tranny ripped.....easy fix if you have the right tools....dont mess with re-doing the boots easier to buy a whole new axle and its not that expensive

[GO-GOTEKNO]

dont bite off more than you can chew

[gq9]

dont bite off more than you can chew

How so.