B4 Avant Boot Handle - Broken Mechanism - Anyone BTDT ?

[macspring]

As per title, earlier this morning went to use the boot handle on my B4 Avant, as per normal, it was already unlocked by central locking, and felt something small give in an instant and the handle moved out in the normal arc only a bit further, with not corresponding opening of the hatch.

My question is how can I get it open to fix it, as the normal oem carpeted cover is in place, and I didn't want to have to carve a hole it it to be able to trigger the tailgate's latching mechanism.

I presume some small piece of plastic has let go which has allowed one of the rods to fall out of place ?

Any help would be great, as it is already a pita not being able to open the boot as per normal.

In my time on here since 2005, I don't recall seeing anyone else suffering this problem, which doesn't bode well ?

Thanks.

[irishs2]

Same thing happened to me

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61714

The internal carpeted covering can come off without the tailgate being open.

[macspring]

Thanks Eric, obviously missed that particular thread of yours.

Had in my mind that the black plastic handle and it's screws at the bottom would stop me getting of the carpeted cover off. So now I will prise the carpeted cover off at the top and while it is pulled back, pull the two rods to trigger the hatch to open.

What was broken on your hatch, when you got it open ?

looking at your third photo with the big spring, it felt like the tab in the middle, made out of cheap cast metal, has snapped.

Will post up problem when I get the hatch open.

Thanks for responding.

Kind regards.

[UrS4boy]

I had this happen with my 98 C4 avant. Pot metal bits broke. I tried fixing it with epoxy but that failed. I replaced the entire broken hatch handle assembly with another hatch handle (from a 93 Audi 100 that was in the wrecker's (breaker's) yard).

AFAIK, the hatch handle on the B4 Avants (including the RS2) is the same as the C4 100/A6 UrS4/S6 avants (see diagram beneath the photo):

[macspring]

Thanks Dave for the photo.

[1781cc]

same happened here, replaced the mechanism but had to force the carpet trim off through the inside of the boot. Doable tho!

[Colesy]

I replaced an audi 80 avant mechanism with one off a URS4 which had broken in exactly the same way too.

[prj]

Be happy it's not your clutch pedal snapping off (BTDT on UrS6).

[UrS4boy]

UrS clutch pedal failure modes and solutions

Be happy it's not your clutch pedal snapping off (BTDT on UrS6).

UrS clutch pedals fatigue crack and fail because the clutch has been allowed to wear too far, increasing the required effort to engage and disengage the clutch disc.

Here is a DIY on UrS clutch pedal replacement:
http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/172721.phtml

Here is some info on clutch pedal failure modes:
http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/186276.phtml

[macspring]

UrS clutch pedals fatigue crack and fail because the clutch has been allowed to wear too far, increasing the required effort to engage and disengage the clutch disc.

Here is a DIY on UrS clutch pedal replacement:
http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/172721.phtml

Here is some info on clutch pedal failure modes:
http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/186276.phtml

Dave.

[UrS4boy]

Dave.

Sorry. I thought I had posted that before. Hence the new thread to make sure it can be found via SEARCH.

[macspring]

Repaired it yesterday using a mechanism from a spare hatch.

Carpeted cover comes over as described earlier in the thread, pull both rods and the boot opens.

My issue was caused by one side of the boot handle snapping at it's thinest point. When you look a the design, it is pretty obvious that ti is the weakest link. I'm sure later designs dealt with this.

Tidied it all up and played with the adjustment of the boot so that it shuts well and doesn't rattle when closed on a bumpy road.

The boot is adjustable at the two boot hinges, the boot locks in the base of the hatch, and the two boot lock receivers in the foot of the boot.

It takes a little to see what does what, but all good in the end, also mounted my black plastic number plate surround properly, and replaced the rusty screws that hold it in at the top on the inside.

Thanks again the the people that posted.