Audi A5 convertible roof repair advice please

[A4 s-line]

Hi there my A5 2009 roof was jamming kinda at the halfway mark so took it to the main dealer as it was a bank holiday Monday and my roof would not shut. They have said there is a small plastic bracket with the cords attached has snapped of just at the top rear passengers side back window which I have attached a photo of. They said I require a whole new hood costing an absolute fortune over £5000 just for the part WHAT lol I don’t think so. I am now afraid to open my roof just incase the same happens again any suggestions I am in Glasgow though and have a video link they sent me but unfortunately only works on this device am using. Please could you get in touch when you have some spare time and many thanks in advance.


Very kind regards

 

[RAF_S7]

This may be your most cost effective solution here.

I had a quick scan of the parts here, and can’t see such a part listed, which is probably why the stealers recommended a new roof.

 

[A4 s-line]

Hi sorry folks been dragging my heals on getting a fix for this as the roof hasn’t been open with the weather being cold and wet. Right thanks for your reply raf it’s much appreciated. I think I have an idea on how to get round this problem. I have figured out where the roof is jamming up but I cannot upload a picture for some reason. I will therefore try to explain the best I can. The roof is jamming on the metal bracket that holds the rear headrest in place (I think that’s what it is it has 3 torx holding it in position) what I am thinking is removing this bracket modifying it by cutting the high ridged upper part (kinda like a lip) to make the bracket completely flat (I don’t know the reason for the lip this is why I am posting to ask if yous think this is a good idea???. I think for testing purposes I would just leave it completely off then test it throughly to see if it does the trick. If you google Audi A5 rear headrest for sale or maybe try google images you will see the bracket I am on about. All advice most welcome folks as a new/replacement roof is kinda out the question as if it does jam up I can bring the roof up to the position where it’s possible to unjam it and make it close no problem. I just like to solve problems and IMO there has got to be a way round this. Look forward to hearing from yous all and apologies for the long winded post/length of time from posting back.

Very kind regards

 

[John_A5]

Ring up your insurance and tell them someone has put a brick through your rear window?

 

[John_A5]

On a serious note......if the glass screen was to shatter, would the insurance company require pictures of this as it would be a substantial cost?
I assume iof it was just a windscreen they would not want proof but as its the rear its a different story ?

 

[John_A5]

Any thoughts to the above? My roof may need replacing

 

[A4 s-line]

Hi John. I don’t think there would be a problem with getting the rear window replaced if it’s possible. I am not even sure if it’s possible to replace the glass though or if it’s a replacement roof that will be required. Does your insurance cover the roof I surmise it would if some vandal ripped it and smashed up the rear window but double check. I managed to fix the issue I was having so anybody who needs a bit of info just give me a shout. Me and my son are over the moon with the fix as it was the two of us who completed it. Audi price nearly £6000 for a replacement roof a don’t think so. 100% functioning again.

 

[A4 s-line]

A quick question that you may be able to help with. I am Requiring new from pads and discs for the A5 (1 disc is warped) any ideas of the ones I should get. Eicher seem to be the cheapest about just now but never used them before. What ones do you use and are do you have any issues with them?

 

[andrewboyle]

A quick question that you may be able to help with. I am Requiring new from pads and discs for the A5 (1 disc is warped) any ideas of the ones I should get. Eicher seem to be the cheapest about just now but never used them before. What ones do you use and are do you have any issues with them?

I have the same issue

A quick question that you may be able to help with. I am Requiring new from pads and discs for the A5 (1 disc is warped) any ideas of the ones I should get. Eicher seem to be the cheapest about just now but never used them before. What ones do you use and are do you have any issues with them?

i have the same issue. Repair quotes is so expensive . Your advice would be much appreciated. How did you manage to fix it? Thanks in advanced

 

[AntwerpA5]

Hi John. I don’t think there would be a problem with getting the rear window replaced if it’s possible. I am not even sure if it’s possible to replace the glass though or if it’s a replacement roof that will be required. Does your insurance cover the roof I surmise it would if some vandal ripped it and smashed up the rear window but double check. I managed to fix the issue I was having so anybody who needs a bit of info just give me a shout. Me and my son are over the moon with the fix as it was the two of us who completed it. Audi price nearly £6000 for a replacement roof a don’t think so. 100% functioning again.

Hey mate, I’ve got exactly the same issue! Same bracket snapped in the same spot, I don’t know what caused it to snap but the roof was getting jammed when closing yesterday and I took a closer look to find this same broken bracket which secures one of the tension strings. Very annoying! If possible can u please give me some details on how u and your son fixed this problem. Any help u can offer would be awesome! The a5 roof is super expensive in Australia :-/

 

[AntwerpA5]

Hi John. I don’t think there would be a problem with getting the rear window replaced if it’s possible. I am not even sure if it’s possible to replace the glass though or if it’s a replacement roof that will be required. Does your insurance cover the roof I surmise it would if some vandal ripped it and smashed up the rear window but double check. I managed to fix the issue I was having so anybody who needs a bit of info just give me a shout. Me and my son are over the moon with the fix as it was the two of us who completed it. Audi price nearly £6000 for a replacement roof a don’t think so. 100% functioning again.

Hi again, I could really use a bit of info on how you solved this issue. As mentioned in my previous reply - I have exactly the same problem. Did u end up trimming the metal bracket or did you come up with another solution? I'd rather not trim that bracket if I can avoid it because I don't know what that raised lip was intended for.
Please respond if/when you are able cos I'm needing to sort this out myself asap or I'll be facing a new roof and an empty wallet (times a million!)

 

[The Voices]

I am trying to get to the bottom of exactly the same hood problem with a car belonging to a good friend of mine.

He's not really 'a car person', so I am trying to help him out.

Would really appreciate it if the OP would let us know how he solved the problem ?

My first thought was also to take the grinder to the headrest brackets !

 

[The Voices]

Anyone else able to help please ?

 

[The Voices]

I have only just joined the forum, I presume this is why I am unable to send a 'private message' to the original poster to ask how he managed to fix the issue ?

 

[Chris Richardson]

Hi there my A5 2009 roof was jamming kinda at the halfway mark so took it to the main dealer as it was a bank holiday Monday and my roof would not shut. They have said there is a small plastic bracket with the cords attached has snapped of just at the top rear passengers side back window which I have attached a photo of. They said I require a whole new hood costing an absolute fortune over £5000 just for the part WHAT lol I don’t think so. I am now afraid to open my roof just incase the same happens again any suggestions I am in Glasgow though and have a video link they sent me but unfortunately only works on this device am using. Please could you get in touch when you have some spare time and many thanks in advance.


Very kind regards

Hi try giving cayman autos in reading ( I know there far from you but that are really helpful and brilliant at convertible repairs .

 

[Chris Richardson]

Hi there my A5 2009 roof was jamming kinda at the halfway mark so took it to the main dealer as it was a bank holiday Monday and my roof would not shut. They have said there is a small plastic bracket with the cords attached has snapped of just at the top rear passengers side back window which I have attached a photo of. They said I require a whole new hood costing an absolute fortune over £5000 just for the part WHAT lol I don’t think so. I am now afraid to open my roof just incase the same happens again any suggestions I am in Glasgow though and have a video link they sent me but unfortunately only works on this device am using. Please could you get in touch when you have some spare time and many thanks in advance.


Very kind regards

Cayman autos 01737761599

 

[The Voices]

I think he fixed it himself but struggling to get a response to find out what he did ?

 

[Dayton4x4]

I have the same issue but I'm not sire if it's a bracket that's snapped, all I see is a loose cord on the passenger side (US) where it should be looped through a fabric loop/hole just above the top of the rear windscreen.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Dayton4x4]

Hi John. I don’t think there would be a problem with getting the rear window replaced if it’s possible. I am not even sure if it’s possible to replace the glass though or if it’s a replacement roof that will be required. Does your insurance cover the roof I surmise it would if some vandal ripped it and smashed up the rear window but double check. I managed to fix the issue I was having so anybody who needs a bit of info just give me a shout. Me and my son are over the moon with the fix as it was the two of us who completed it. Audi price nearly £6000 for a replacement roof a don’t think so. 100% functioning again.

Hiya Mate, I have the very same/similar issue happen to me last week. I'm not sure if the clip snapped as well but the cord snapped in the spring assisted cord in part# 8F0898924A. Any repair tips you could pass on would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

 

[AntwerpA5]

I am trying to get to the bottom of exactly the same hood problem with a car belonging to a good friend of mine.

He's not really 'a car person', so I am trying to help him out.

Would really appreciate it if the OP would let us know how he solved the problem ?

My first thought was also to take the grinder to the headrest brackets !

Not sure why they aren't responding. I guess it was a while since their post but still, they should be getting email notifications of our replies...unless they've unsubscribed :-/ I'm gonna have a closer look at this hood issue and see if I can come up with an alternative fix which won't require grinding of headrest brackets, ill post my findings as soon as I get a chance. Bit busy at the mo but will try to get to it within a week or so.

 

[Dayton4x4]

Not sure why they aren't responding. I guess it was a while since their post but still, they should be getting email notifications of our replies...unless they've unsubscribed :-/ I'm gonna have a closer look at this hood issue and see if I can come up with an alternative fix which won't require grinding of headrest brackets, ill post my findings as soon as I get a chance. Bit busy at the mo but will try to get to it within a week or so.

DON'T grind off the bracket as it will not fix the issue! I tried putting a sheet of wood there to see if it would just slide against it and it doesn't, it still gets stuck.

 

[The Voices]

I wanted to avoid taking a grinder to the brackets but it did look like a possibility.
Dying to know what the OP did to fix it !
Can anyone send him a private message via the forum ?

 

[AntwerpA5]

DON'T grind off the bracket as it will not fix the issue! I tried putting a sheet of wood there to see if it would just slide against it and it doesn't, it still gets stuck.

Yeah good advice, I wasn't keen to grind those brackets anyway because it's just a bandaid and doesn't address the primary issue.

 

[AntwerpA5]

I wanted to avoid taking a grinder to the brackets but it did look like a possibility.
Dying to know what the OP did to fix it !
Can anyone send him a private message via the forum ?

I've tried to find a way of sending a private message but the option isn't available to me :-/
In any case it's quite likely that they did just grind those brackets.

 

[The Voices]

I see that, like me, you have only recently joined the forum, I wonder if we need to have made a certain number of posts before we have access to send private messages ?

 

[The Voices]

Anyone else got any ideas ?

A new hood seems a bit radical for a snapped plastic bracket !

 

[The Voices]

Still hoping for some advice from someone please ?

 

[The Voices]

Someone ?

 

[Dayton4x4]

With the roof half open I was able to peek between the headliner and roof and saw that my issue was that the spring assisted cable/cord that is found in repair kit 8F0898924A (comes with a bunch of extra stuff for $175) had snapped on one side. This this sits in a sleeve above the rear window and hangs down to loop around slots in the rear window frame. As the roof closes it lifts the tom of the window frame above those brackets.

I followed instructions that I found on https://www.a5oc.com/threads/a5-convertible-headliner-falling.165944/ regarding a sagging headiner which on inspection had previously sagged and was 'repaired' with some thin fishing line. It sounds like a daunting prospect but it's really not that difficult of a process.

With the headliner down, the back seats down and the roof half up I was able to get to the part and change it out (I removed the rear headrests for easier access). Waiting on some double sided 3M tape that will hopefully allow me to reattach the headliner easily (the link to the article has details on stitching it back up and one person has used glue (?).

I've put together and am still updating a word doc based on the a5oc thread that lays out the steps on removing/reattaching the headliner., I still need to add some details and pictures as I'm going through this process. I also need to add the steps to replace the 'spring' cord.

 

[The Voices]

Thank you so much, look forward to seeing the 'finished' word doc !

 

[Dayton4x4]

Thank you so much, look forward to seeing the 'finished' word doc !

message me your email address and I can send you what I've put together, apparently the file is to large to upload to the site.

 

[The Voices]

message me your email address and I can send you what I've put together, apparently the file is to large to upload to the site.

Thank you, I don't appear to be able to send messages, probably because I haven't made enough posts yet ?

 

[AntwerpA5]

Thank you, I don't appear to be able to send messages, probably because I haven't made enough posts yet ?

Hey mate, I've recently had a close look and I think ive come up with a fix for our particular issue. I'm in lockdown again so finally had some spare time So I'll have to buy some materials cos it involves making a small elongated clamping mechanisms. It's a simple ideas and should actually be pretty easy to make, and a big plus is that it can be installed without removing the headliner. Unfortunately right now im not allowed to travel more than 5km away from home so it'll have to wait a bit...seems weird but apparently fixing my convertible isn't viewed as an essential activity‍ When ive completed it, ill upload images etc.
Also the fix that Daytona4x4 has come up with sounds good, his issue shares the same symptoms as mine but in his case it's the cord which attaches to the bracket on the rear window frame that's broken, while in my case the cord is fine but the bracket itself has broken. To attach a new bracket to the window frame looks like it might require taking the window off and dismantling it, or buying a whole new window...or the entire hood. All the same, I'd love to see the document outlining the process 4x4 used. I think it'll be helpful in my situation as well and I do want to fix my sagging headliner in any case. If he is able to send messages then maybe he can send us a message with his email so we can email him our email addresses Call me paranoid but these days I dont like posting my email where it can be viewed by the anyone online.

 

[AntwerpA5]

message me your email address and I can send you what I've put together, apparently the file is to large to upload to the site.

Hey mate, you've probs seen my response to The Voice but we're wondering, are u able to send private messages to other members here? If you're able, can u send us a message with your email cos we're not able to send messages

 

[AntwerpA5]

message me your email address and I can send you what I've put together, apparently the file is to large to upload to the site.

All good, ive now got The Voice's email so when u forward the file to them, they'll forward it to me