Front end just exploded!
05-04-2005, 08:15 AM
#1
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Front end just exploded!
I just had the misfortune of finding out what happens when the front bumper cover gets hung up on a parking curb.
I heard nothing when I pulled into the parking space. When I pulled out and heard something catch, but didn't think it was a big deal. All of a sudden BANG and the front cover flies off and grille pieces, headlight washers, covers and fasteners are flying in the air in all directions!
Then, the bleeding started. What seemed like gallons of blue washer fluid came pouring out of both sides where the headlight washer nozzles used to be. Of course, this happend in a very crowded parking lot with lots of people around to see it. Very embarassing, nay humiliating. A $70,000 car that comes apart in a cartoon-like fashion...
I gathered up all the pieces, broken fasteners, my pride, and the big front cover and loaded them in the trunk. The belly pan was dragging on the ground, so I ran back into the store and bought some bungee cords to hold it up for the trip home.
Once again I need the sage advice of the forum. It looks like one of the washer nozzles is toast. I have a bunch of fasteners that are broken. Where can I get the parts I need to put her back togther? Is the dealer the only option or is there another source for the fasteners and other pieces? Any special things to look out for? Thanks as always!
I heard nothing when I pulled into the parking space. When I pulled out and heard something catch, but didn't think it was a big deal. All of a sudden BANG and the front cover flies off and grille pieces, headlight washers, covers and fasteners are flying in the air in all directions!
Then, the bleeding started. What seemed like gallons of blue washer fluid came pouring out of both sides where the headlight washer nozzles used to be. Of course, this happend in a very crowded parking lot with lots of people around to see it. Very embarassing, nay humiliating. A $70,000 car that comes apart in a cartoon-like fashion...
I gathered up all the pieces, broken fasteners, my pride, and the big front cover and loaded them in the trunk. The belly pan was dragging on the ground, so I ran back into the store and bought some bungee cords to hold it up for the trip home.
Once again I need the sage advice of the forum. It looks like one of the washer nozzles is toast. I have a bunch of fasteners that are broken. Where can I get the parts I need to put her back togther? Is the dealer the only option or is there another source for the fasteners and other pieces? Any special things to look out for? Thanks as always!
05-04-2005, 08:21 AM
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you can get a new bumper for about $250 on line and about $70 to $100 to get it painted very easy
fix. or claim it on the insurance. I think that my shop billed about 1k for the bumper and paint. If you want I will try to find the online store tha sell OEM audi parts.
05-04-2005, 08:22 AM
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Nothing like releasing all 300hp in reverse on the bumper :)
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/23719/image001.jpg"></center><p>That really sucks. Im sorry to hear. I went through this 2 times. and now i have a easy easy off bumper. Its not that bad.
You probably have broken brackets on the sides and the 2 bolts that hold on the bumpers are probably toast.
If your lucky you can end up mike me. I only have a nasty hole to deal with until i order a new washer assy...
You probably have broken brackets on the sides and the 2 bolts that hold on the bumpers are probably toast.
If your lucky you can end up mike me. I only have a nasty hole to deal with until i order a new washer assy...
05-04-2005, 09:37 AM
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Been there, done that...
Very emberassing when that happens!
I took the easy way out and claimed with the insurance, dealer charged $1,400.00+ for the new bumper, brackets, painting and installation.
A couple of month later, I had to replace the washer nozzles, they froze and cracked, $250.00 each with install.
I took the easy way out and claimed with the insurance, dealer charged $1,400.00+ for the new bumper, brackets, painting and installation.
A couple of month later, I had to replace the washer nozzles, they froze and cracked, $250.00 each with install.
05-04-2005, 09:41 AM
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Ouch! I used to scrape every pavement with the front, till I had the valance...
..checked and fasteners replaced (dealer said there was "something missing"--no specifics, but when do they give you specifics? The $120 to replace the "missing piece" was specific enough, though). Since then, I haven't scraped any pavement or parking spot stopper. So they must have done something right...
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05-04-2005, 11:05 AM
#8
Here's a great adhesive to fix it... maybe some of it.
I used this on a very cracked and seemingly unfixable lower bumper cover with the assistance of escapA8 last fall.
Still holding great even after winter.
HTH someone.<ul><li><a href="http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/xrefsik521uv.asp">Silkflex 521</a></li></ul>
Still holding great even after winter.
HTH someone.<ul><li><a href="http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/xrefsik521uv.asp">Silkflex 521</a></li></ul>
05-04-2005, 11:05 AM
#9
Ouch. I got hung up recently, but realized it before backing. How I got unstuck:
1) Popped front right/passenger lower grille cover.
2) Got tow hook from tools in spare well. Screwed into socket revealed by removing grill in step 1.
3) Got jack from tools in spare well. Lifted the car on the tow hook, such that bumper bottom is raised up above curb on which I'm stuck. Jack is at right angles to front-rear axis of the car.
4) Back car off of jack AND STOP IMMEDIATELY.
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 so that bumper is completely off of the curb.
6) Be more careful around curbs! (I had just made a stop after about 3-1/2 hours of straight driving, so I chalk some of it up to being tired)
2) Got tow hook from tools in spare well. Screwed into socket revealed by removing grill in step 1.
3) Got jack from tools in spare well. Lifted the car on the tow hook, such that bumper bottom is raised up above curb on which I'm stuck. Jack is at right angles to front-rear axis of the car.
4) Back car off of jack AND STOP IMMEDIATELY.
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 so that bumper is completely off of the curb.
6) Be more careful around curbs! (I had just made a stop after about 3-1/2 hours of straight driving, so I chalk some of it up to being tired)
05-04-2005, 11:37 AM
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I narrowly escaped that fate, and since then here's what I've done...
...I caught mine and pulled the bumper out about 8" on one side before I realized what was going on. Happily, my mechanic and I were able to put it back in place, no busted washers, no parts necessary. There's a bit of elasticity in there! Gory hour, though, wondering if I'd just messed up my nearly brand new beauty.
We put about five new fasteners in the lip, so that it's super snug, no wrinkles, nothing hanging down an extra half inch. Then we ground the back edge of the lip into a gradual incline, further reducing its snaggability.
I haven't had a problem since. On the other hand, I haven't gotten closer than 18" to a curb, either...
We put about five new fasteners in the lip, so that it's super snug, no wrinkles, nothing hanging down an extra half inch. Then we ground the back edge of the lip into a gradual incline, further reducing its snaggability.
I haven't had a problem since. On the other hand, I haven't gotten closer than 18" to a curb, either...