Paint Bubbling on Tailgate

[Virdee Autos]

I reckon with a bit of persuarance (sp) you could get it done under warranty.

But I just couldn't be a55ed with the hassle, especially after my wheel situation.

Its only £60 odd, and plus I had other plans for it

[s4woody]

i think you can buy them painted but will have to check on that..Audi,s come with a 12 year body warranty i believe

[Chubby]

My lovely stealer told me it was a moving part - and hence is not covered under warranty - I cracked up - but then they were complete bankers -(sorry spelt that wrong). Now taken over by another Company.

Because its alloy you can rub it down with wet and dry, make sure that its not to pitted, and then take it along and for £50 a good spray painter will sort it out.

Good as new.

Easy to remove although you might need the seal kit that goes around the edge.

R.

[simon_golf_tt]

Not had a problem with the tailgate but both triangular window trim bits were corroded when I got my car in January this year. One of the first things I fixed. They are about £20 each as already said. A bit fiddly to fit but about an hour per side is what it took me, so did it in an evening after work.

You have to take the interior door trim off, which is easy once you know how - there is a hidden screw under the handle! Can't remember if there are any other screws without having a look, think maybe some on the edge of the door. The trim then comes off in an upwards motion - as all the plastic clips that hold it on point down into holes in the door body.

Then remove the two large screws/bolts that hold on the window frame to the door - on the opened side (leave the hinge side frame screws alone) - this allows you to pull the frame away from the door by an inch or so at that side and gives enough room to access the triangle bit. I jammed a screw driver handle in to keep it opened up – but not enough to bend the frame obviously! The triangular bit IIRC is held on by one screw underneath a little plastic interior trim cover that you need to remove first. Then the triangular bit comes off by pivoting it on one edge as it has a lip that goes into the window frame. Should be obvious if you are attempting the job, take a few moments to work out how it comes out before trying!

Better than paying Audi a fortune to do it

For those of a practical persuasion I'd say give it a go!

[ScottyBoy]

Thanks Guys fantastic response as always, just waiting for Audi to get back to me. The guy who checked it over said there shouldn't be a problem i will keep you posted

[pomy]

I've noticed a small rust bubble appearing on the tailgate of my car, just below the end of the wiper blade where the window seal and paint meet.
My car is an 2002 33k miles and always garaged!
Have a friend that owns a body shop in Glasgow that'll hopefully sort it for me!

[Contigo]

I am having mind done with Audi.

[TWH]

I had this problem a few months back. Went to my local stealer that I'd used for service for a few years, and they said they'd talk to Audi UK about it. They then came back and said it wasn't covered because it's trim etc... So I got the number for audi uk, phoned them and had a right go. Stated that I knew for a fact they had replaced it for other RS4 owners, and that it's a well known fault with the car... In the end they offered to give me a 1/3 discount, but it was still gonna cost a lot. So I told them to stuff it.

Luckily, a mate of mine started working for another stealer in the area who are 1000 times better than the one I had been using. He put me in contact with their warranty guy who was much more understanding than the previous stealer. He fought my corner with Audi UK and got it all done under warranty for me! So there is hope - if you can get the warranty guy on your side, you should be successful, and if you fail at one stealer, go and find another one who care about their customers!

[derdle]

why they made that part out of metal

It's just a different metal to the rest of the tailgate . carbon fibre=expense!
Take the car to your nearest stealership, talk nicely to them about a paint warranty claim, take no BS about it being a "piece of trim" and get them to do it.

Mikeyquattro...the triangular bits come "finished", so all you need to do ist strio the door down and fit them. PITA apparently...so glad my stealership did them for me.

paul

[mikeyquattro]

Cheers Paul,
My brother works for a bodyshop, so he's pretty handy when it comes to strip and refit. A few bottles of Spitfire should keep him happy!

[Virdee Autos]

It's not hard to replace the rear number plate trim. Did mine today

Take off the inside trim off the tailgate, and then it's 2 10mm nuts, and 2 10mm bolts.

And then you need to swap the 2 number plate assy's, and microswicthes for the tailgate release.

Will try and get some pics up soon

[ScottyBoy]

Well i get a phone a call today from ROBINSONS AUDI NORWICH from one of the service girls telling me that Audi UK would not cover this under warranty and didnt give a reason why, i will remove the part myself and take it to a local bodyshop stuff Audi just another reason why i would never have another one

[tdiquattro]

On my saloon the problem was the alloy handle/light/boot switch part had rubbed at either end on the main steel boot. This gave two rust patches either end of it.

The cause was the shape of the alloy section, the profile of the ends doesnt match the boot shape exactly so it digs in and rubs, I think that is the underlying problem, as I said for me i t was the boot that corroded not the alloy handle.

The fix isn't going to be another new alloy section imho, as it has the same design fault. I re shaped mine to give .5 mm clearance at the ends and then had the boot re-painted. also make sure when fitting it that the gaps at both ends are equal and it is not touching, only the foam strip should touch.

One other thing the two bolts in the boot catch are .5mm too long and when tightened make two small lumps in the handle, you should put a couple of washers under them when re-fitting it.

[derdle]

Scottyboy .. I think that response from Robinsons was bl**dy typical!! Two reasons:

1) I've had no help at all from Robinsons in relation to a VW Golf I bought from them (sorry to swear guys, don't bar me cos I said "VW" and "Golf").

2) The "No" answer from Audi is the stock reply, and many people then go back to Audi Customer Services and then get it approved by arguing that the item is "bodywork" rather than "trim" which is what they rely on.

tdiquattro - I believe the main problem is a poor undercoating of the item and then "electrolytical" action cos of the two different types of metal.

Paul

[quattrokid1]

we had these symptoms as well. Fontain sorted it out before we collected the car (last Dec) I have noticed that there are small bubbles again on the triangle bit on the rear doors.

I thought that alloy doesnt rust, THATS the whole point of alloy components.

The bootlid surround the keyhole is fine after a bit of cosmetic work.... better go and a have a peek ans see if its still ok