no.radar

<i> <b> <font color="blue"> "Customer states hood will not open because release-tongue does not travel through grill." </font> </b> </i>

In well under an hour's time this morning, most-excellent RS6 technician, Dale K. (who had a full head of hair just prior to the release of the RS6 in 2003), replaced my grill which part has a small plastic "guide tab" (for the hood-release tongue) that can break off completely. When it does, the hood-release tongue does not travel through the grill after the hood-release lever is pulled inside the cockpit, which means you cannot open the hood.

First Dale had to open the hood, which he accomplished using a coathanger to grab the arm of the release mechanism (aided by a flashlight), and ultimately looking from the side of the partially released hood to see the arm. (This procedure could come in handy should the tab break off when your closest RS6 dealer is two states away.)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4900.jpg">

As you can see in the photo below, the hood-release tab which should travel through the grill and be perpendicular to it, is cockeyed here. See the little tab to the right of the black plastic guide (in this view)? There should be an identical tab to the left. That's the tab that's broken off allowing the release-tongue to travel off-kilter farther to the left, instead of going straight through the grill.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4902.jpg">

The grill's a $200 part, but the offending tab (missing below just to the right of the guide in this view) is but a small molded piece. But unlike its identical twin, this piece takes a "shot" every time the hood release is popped.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4907.jpg">

Here's a shot of the same area on the new grill for comparison. To try to avoid a recurrence, Dale added grease to the side of the release-tab (the one that moves) to reduce friction with the stationary tab (the one that breaks).

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4904.jpg">

Here's the grill being re-installed. There are four allen bolts at the bottom, much simpler than the clips used on many earlier Audi grills.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4905.jpg">

Owing to the trauma she endured in having this amount of "dental work," upon returning home, I promptly gave Frances a sponge bath and returned her to her garage stall for a good nap.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19949/img_4912.jpg">

OLD ONE

the grill? Fwiw I only pull the tab out to release the latch, but I never use it to lift the hood due to its inherently fragile nature.

TeddyBGame

this should be a TSB. Time to get published....

no.radar

I always do exactly as you. The tab is a release mechanism, not a "lift." Learned this on my '98 C5

no.radar

Coming from you, that is high (if undeserved) praise. Thanks, T.

Dr.Aronis

I had made a temp solution with a ring made of card board and electrical tape which worked fine for more than a year.

Had the grill replaced during my DRC 8 week service , and I'll bet that when I get the car back this time that tab will be broken again LOL.

Mike

HEY AUDI USE METAL.

123Thumperer®

"Lighten up, Frances."

no.radar

...because the allen-bolt mounting system is such a huge upgrade to the press-clip system of old. Upgrade one system, but overlook this little plastic tab. Stooooopid Germans.

I remember seeing a new RS6 on the showroom floor back when and asking to see the engine...which they couldn't show me because this same plastic piece had broken. I wonder how many $200 grills have been replaced in three years worldwide! I'm on my third, counting the one that came on it.

no.radar

"MISS Frances" to you, buddy.

Boston Driver

I think I still have a spot or two in my eyes from my son playing with the digital camera yesterday!