Gear Selection - Advice/Help needed

[Robnic]

Hi you can drop the 'A' TPS use that as a brand identifier so 8E2 721 465 BB, I was told Audi Bolton, Sheffield, Ipswich & Slough had stock, Bolton & Sheff was showing it but didn't have it, Ipswich did have one (Monday) I didn't call Slough.

TPS (or Audi) as said will be able to order it for stock 2 - 3 days or VOR (Vehicle Off Road) for next day but may charge a little more, this is providing Audi have stock in UK or they may have to obtain from Germany but still doesn't take long, again providing Manufacturer has stock if not it then becomes a back order - as with them and any 'manufacturer' they buy nearly everything in.

Rob

[rsParnell]

Cheers gents, only been able to locate it with audi... £90 from the dealers, ive not seen this hose but i bet its a good one!

[Pistolpete2543]

Rob, as requested, I picked up the latest revision of the return hose/pipe assembly, see photos below (not sure if you can tell much from a picture). I would say that for a flexi-hose, it is very rigid so perhaps they have changed the spec of the flexi to reduce any potential for collapse under vacuum. When I eventually get the clutch done, I will make sure all the old bits are kept and might be able to compare old with new.

[Robnic]

Hi Pete
Thanks for that bud I'm away at the mo so can only see on phone I'll have a better look when I'm back
Cheers
Rob

[Robnic]

Hi

The pipe doesn't look any different to the original one, this later one from Audi is marked 'EPDM' it may be uprated but I doubt it, where I have circled the pipe is where the unions undo this removes the metal pipes from either end we then replace the removed rubber section and fit an 'uprated' teflon lined stainless overbraid pipe re-using the metal pipe end sections as these cause no problem, this pipe is far more resistant to heat damage

We have first hand experience of these (admitedly the original fit pipe) failing internally restricting the oil flow and most importantly then not allowing the fluid to return holding pressure on the clutch and hence then allowing it to slip.

[Pistolpete2543]

Well that's the car just dropped in this morning to my local Indy VAG Specialist (McEvoy Motors) for the full works...clutch, DMF, master and slave cylinders plus all new hydraulic hoses/pipes and fittings. I'll report back in a few days with results of the work done....it had started getting more and more difficult to engage 1st gear so it was definitely time. Almost 80k miles on original clutch so can't complain.

[marc1]

Did you buy the braided hose from Rob?

[Pistolpete2543]

No, just went with new everything from TPS. It is supposedly an updated part from Audi, perhaps just a different grade of hose material. It certainly doesn't feel like a vacuum would deform it too easily. I guess only time will tell, although my pedal has never had the "sticking down" symptoms.

[marc1]

See what you are saying. The fact it's a different part number doesn't necessarily mean it's been updated though. I would strongly recommend getting the hose from Rob as he's done some extensive testing. You don't want your new clutch and flywheel to be fried. I've met Rob and discussed in person. As a result I've asked him to fit it to my car as a preventative measure. Sounds like good proactive maintenance to me, so hopefully money well spent.

[rsParnell]

Done over a 1000 miles with robs hose with no issues. I cant see the original frieing your clutch and flywheel though.

[Pistolpete2543]

Funny how things can go. Car still with the mechanic, good news was that the clutch was on its last legs so definitely a job that needed doing. Not so good, he had to remove the servo to gain access to do the master cylinder & return hose and in bleeding the front near side caliper the nipple has stripped the thread. So not only am I changing the clutch/DMF but now replacing a front brake caliper.

To be fair, I knew this would need doing as last time it went into Belfast Audi for service inc brake fluid change, they didn't touch the NSF as the nipples were seized. Even better, I phoned Stoke Audi to get one at the £558.06 inc VAT price, the guy put me on hold and when he came back he said the website prices were out of date and it would now be £653. I seem to have caused a bit of a rumpus as I originally contacted Belfast Audi to ask them to price match Stoke's price, but the guy said that was below their cost price. The upshot of all this is its ordered from Belfast Audi at £720 and should arrive tomorrow. Stoke said they had a back order & it would be 10 days delivery. I definitely smell a bit of a rat with all this. Anyway, looking forward to just getting it all sorted and driving it again.

[norman1979]

Did you try TPS?

[Pistolpete2543]

Yeah, TPS was £640+VAT

[Pistolpete2543]

Would you believe there isn't a spare front near side caliper available through Audi in the UK. It's on order from Germany and I'm going to be waiting possibly another week to get my car back. Nightmare.

[R1RS4]

Would you believe there isn't a spare front near side caliper available through Audi in the UK. It's on order from Germany and I'm going to be waiting possibly another week to get my car back. Nightmare.

Hi mate,

Sorry to hear of your troubles, good news about your clutch though

Have you thought whilst your waiting, get the broken nipple drilled out and retapped and fit a new nipple?

I think from memory it's an NPT thread, but the engineering shop will check from the new nipple