Glove box strut/dashpot

[auditechnik]

2001.5 S4 here. When I open the glove box, it used to open with a smooth, damped motion (sounded like a gas strut in there with a hissing noise). But recently it no longer does that, and just drops open hard.

I'm thinking the gas strut may have worn out, but don't they typically go out gradually rather than spontaneously? Or is something else broken?

With the glove box open, I see a lever on the left side that seem to go into a cylindrical object above. Is that the strut? Any insight about how to replace or repair this?

[rollerton]

unless it's something insane it's not gas; but instead a little plastic shock with oil and a spring. Pretty easy to fix / repair or whatever once you get the glovebox down and can reach it.

[erykv1]

Here is the part number for the damper you are referring to: 8E1880324A

[PwrWgn]

The top can come off of the cylinder if overextended. Usually easy enough to snap it back together.

For the record, I do believe it is a gas cylinder...the working fluid is just air from the cabin.

[auditechnik]

Any tips on how to get the glove box down for me to reach this gizmo? I don't see any obvious screws to undo.

[audacity]

you just slightly bend the outside edges inward and the whole bow will drop you'll see some little tabs hold it from falling all the way down.

[auditechnik]

you just slightly bend the outside edges inward and the whole bow will drop you'll see some little tabs hold it from falling all the way down.

Thanks, I was able to drop the glove compartment down and see that the damper strut is broken. The rod (which attaches to the glove compartment lid) glides freely within the cylinder without damping action, and there is a ring cap that on the rod that looks like it came off the strut body, so the rod comes right out when extended. I was unable to put the cap back on the strut, it won't snap into place. The strut itself is empty inside.

I think I need to replace the strut.

Here is the part number for the damper you are referring to: 8E1880324A

That part number is for the B6 platform. On the B5, according to ETKA, should be 8D1 880 324 A. Are the two compatible?

[auditechnik]

I think I found part of the answer. The B5 version is NLA.

The question remains whether the B6 version would fit. It has an electrical connector on it that I don't know what for, but the overall appearance of the gizmo is very similar.

[erykv1]

I think I found part of the answer. The B5 version is NLA.

The question remains whether the B6 version would fit. It has an electrical connector on it that I don't know what for, but the overall appearance of the gizmo is very similar.

the 8E1880324A revision should work. a damper is a damper, and there was a TSB out not too long ago to use the 8E version, but that could be only pertinent to the B6's.

the electrical connector on there is the switch for the glovebox light on a b6.

[auditechnik]

OK, I'll order the B6 one and give it a try. At worst I'd be out around $25, which is cheap compared to most things Audi, lol.
Thanks for all the help everyone.

[goalieman24]

Please post your results when you get it.
Mine is broken as well. I've just been dealing with it as the glovebox doesn't get much use.

[auditechnik]

Update:

I received the B6 glovebox dashpot. Unfortunately, while its top mount is the same, the B6 dashpot is significantly shorter than the B5 version. When the dashpot rod is fully extended, it doesn't reach far enough to allow the glovebox to open fully.

Here are comparison photos of the B5 (longer) and B6 (shorter) dashpots, with and without the rod extended:

http://www.tikan.org/ti/audi/autiq/dashpots1.jpg
http://www.tikan.org/ti/audi/autiq/dashpots2.jpg

To make the B6 dashpot work, I had to modify how the dashpot rod attaches to the glovebox lid. Rather than attaching it to the original mounting hook, I drilled a hole on the inside left wall of the glovebox and mounted a 1" long #6-32 machine screw, and tightened with large flat washers and a lock nut. The screw also goes through the holes at the end of the dashpot rod, and capped with another lock nut. The location of the drilled hole is carefully chosen to allow the glovebox to close fully, and will still open wide enough for access to the contents.

Photos of the modification are here:

http://www.tikan.org/ti/audi/autiq/glovebox1.jpg
http://www.tikan.org/ti/audi/autiq/glovebox2.jpg

The B6 dashpot has an electrical connector that should be left unconnected when used in this way. The dashpot also acts as a switch for the glovebox light, but on the B5 there is a separate switch for this.

Here is a video of the glovebox opening smoothly again, after the modification/fix.

[erykv1]

Nice! Glad you got it to work!