Rob09A8

Hi,
So this is the A8 D3 site. If you post over at the A4 B7 site you might get more replies as they would have more familiarity with that variant of latch and set up.
Best of luck.
Rob.

Rob09A8

Edit: You could google search as "Audiworld Forum A4 B7" along with something like- hood latch problem or broken hood latch etc to see what's there already.

Valchelski

So this poop sandwich happened to me - not once but twice!

First time, I tried the screwdriver method but couldn’t make it work. I then accidentally cut into the bonnet because I slipped. Ouch. That’s an unwelcome body shop bill! In my case the cable had slipped out of its housing in the latch itself. I thought I future proofed this by epoxying it in position…

I was pretty hacked off when it happened again. The epoxy didn’t hold. This time I cut the latch with a hand hack saw and taped up the bonnet and grill so no further damage would happen.

I figured I would have a go at making the right tool AND recording a video for everyone else to see how it can be done with the screwdriver. Note, that I have not successfully done this with a bonnet that I cannot open. But I did prep the tool if it ever happens again. This is however unlikely because I used plastic ties to tie the cable into place. So the only way this happen now is if the cable itself rusts and degrades. Which I hope is a long way off.

thr main thing is that you need to fashion a hook from a long thin flathead screwdriver. Look at the video. It needs to hook onto the left hand side of the latch and prise open the release mechanism. This is not easy. But it should be possible.

Note. I used a usb endoscope on my phone to see where I was cutting. I highly recommend you for the same to find the right spot on the latch.

Good luck.



Fashion the hook by heating the metal so it does not snap (it’s brittle tool steel). Make sure the flat end is curved like in the photo.