Ler

This all happened last month; whilst reaching into my pocket for my wallet, my fat *** managed to push hard enough on the drivers seat to cause the seat back map pocket to burst.

Thanks to silvrqtro for an <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/915544.phtml">excellent write-up</a> on repairing the clips using the factory repair kit.

Called the local dealership for a price quote. $38 plus a 2 day wait? No thanks.

So, I give you Ler's cheap fix:
Follow silvrqtro's directions on removing the seat back. Then, fish around until you find the fragments of the broken clips. Go to your local hobby store and pick up a bottle of solvent to weld ABS plastic. $4.19, tax included.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/48684/dscn0734.jpg">

The instructions state to hold the two pieces to be joined firmly together, and apply sparangly to the joint, letting the solvent penetrate the joint by capillarity. This doesn't work- I tried this first and the clips broke off immediately when I tried to reinstall.

Instead, brush a small amount on the both sides of the crack face; wait a litle bit for the stuff to soften the plastic. Then, press the broken pieces back together and wiggle it a tad to make sure the glued surfaces are making good, intimate contact. You should see a tiny little bit of softened, gooey plastic ooze out of the joint if you do this correctly; it's kind of hard to see in this photo.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/48684/dscn0732.jpg">

Do this on both of the broken tabs, and let it set overnight.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/48684/dscn0735.jpg">

Reinstall using <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/915544.phtml">silvrqtro's instructions</a>.

Been installed for over a week now without problems, although I'm certainly more careful about putting too much force on the seat back.

Probably won't last as long as the metal repair kit brackets, but hey, solvent's cheap if I need to repair again.

A4darkness

Good to know.

A4Driver

What a bunch of crooks. I will now attempt to repair it myself. Thanks for the writeup.
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ben gt/cs

<center><img src="http://sothathappened.typepad.com/main/images/ron_popeil.jpg"></center><p>

Ler

$100 is ridiculous, especially for repairs on a faulty part design.