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Hi,
Since getting stuck raising when boot lid was iced up, the tailgate on my A4 B8 Avant isn’t raising fully. I’ve tried adjusting the maximum height up (pushing up and holing down boot open button until hazard lights flash), but it still doesn’t raise fully. Other than that, functions ok, motor doesn’t make unusual noise or anything like that and it closes correctly.
I’d be grateful for any tips on fault finding/repair so I can stop bashing my head.
Hi,
My 2013 A4 B8.5 also experienced a tailgate (low) opening height issue - even after pushing up the tailgate by hand and ‘reteaching’ the system, like you have done, wouldn’t resolve the issue.
There were 2 problems....
1) I removed the (fabric covered) horizontal upper headlining trim strip in the open tailgate aperture, there was a water leak from the rear washer in this area. You can then see the 2 (RH & LH) motors and hinges. The motors are doing a lot of work as the hinge centre is so close to the motor axis - each motor is fixed to the body with an L-shape pressed bracket. One of these brackets was broken, and the displaced motor had pinched the rear washer tube. The bracket is a couple of quid from Audi, I also replaced a tiny brass bearing shell that sits on the hinge.
On some Audi forums users have found that the L-shape bracket fixing bolts become loose.
2) The tailgate gas stays were failing, cold weather exacerbated the problem. I ordered 2 new stays from Amazon.de, it was the cheapest place that I could find them at the time (£33/set), identical Audi marked parts were more than double. Same maker - Stabilus. Parts from other makers are available on Euro Car Parts, eBay, etc.
There are power and non-power tailgate gas stays (lift forces), the ones I ordered were...
Stabilus LIFT-O-MAT 167573 Gas Spring 450 Newton
I fitted the new parts, repaired the washer tube and then undertook the tailgate height teaching, everything has been perfect ever since (3 months).
This is a great place to see exploded part diagrams, I’ve used the company for other parts....
LLLParts
If it was me I’d start with the gas stays, it’s easy to take them off/refit if you have a helping hand to keep the tailgate supported.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. So helpful! Will start on the stays as you suggest. When I push it up to full height, it does gradually move back down, so think that’s a sensible starting point.
Thank you!
Having ordered the struts, I thought I’d pull the trim off and have a look at the motors. Turns out I had exactly the same problem as you (Carmel1940). The bolt on the left motor had dropped off as had the locking washer. The bolt on the other motor had also worked fairly loose. After quite a lot of fiddling about I managed to get the left side refitted. Have secured both bolts with thread lock, which I hope will stop it happening again, but all working perfectly now.
Not sure I really need the struts as it’s working ok, although they don’t seem that well pressured, so maybe I’ll replace them too.
Thanks again for the advice!
That’s great news, the motor fixings seem to be doing a lot of work, twisting and pulling over many cycles.
When I took off my old gas stays it was obvious that they were shot, 7 years of work on a 170K mike car. One of them was so weak it collapsed when compressed against the floor. Best to replace as a pair, otherwise they are always fighting against each other. My guess would be that weak gas stays during the opening cycle places excessive strain on the motors/fixings. New stays will be trying to fully extend (unless the tailgate has been taught to a lower opening height).
Glad that you have sorted things, I was dreading replacement of a motor (over £400 each). Mine was completely detached from the hinge so locking the male motor pinion into the correct female hinge cutout was a headache, the interface bearing was also bent.
Cheers