vent replacement

I have a 2001 S4 Avant. My problem is with the air vents in the center of
the dash console. The leftmost of the three vents (the one closest to the
driver, hence the most important one) doesn't stay in position while
driving. If I adjust it vertically to the "detent" in the "vertically
neutral" position, it won't stay in that position. This is an admittedly
minor problem. The dealer is willing to fix it under warranty, however, and
already has the part. I didn't realize, when I mentioned it to the dealer,
that fixing it requires disassembling the center console. The question is,
"Is it worth the risk of squeaks and rattles that might result when they
reassemble the center console to install the new vent unit?" I don't have
the shop manual, so I don't know how likely this is. Any advice?

Thanks.

-Alan

Alan,
I'd avoid the major surgery - if you can see the pivots, why not spray
something like a bit of belt dressing on the pivots?
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"Alan D. Falk" > wrote in message
...
> I have a 2001 S4 Avant. My problem is with the air vents in the center of
> the dash console. The leftmost of the three vents (the one closest to the
> driver, hence the most important one) doesn't stay in position while
> driving. If I adjust it vertically to the "detent" in the "vertically
> neutral" position, it won't stay in that position. This is an admittedly
> minor problem. The dealer is willing to fix it under warranty, however,
and
> already has the part. I didn't realize, when I mentioned it to the
dealer,
> that fixing it requires disassembling the center console. The question
is,
> "Is it worth the risk of squeaks and rattles that might result when they
> reassemble the center console to install the new vent unit?" I don't have
> the shop manual, so I don't know how likely this is. Any advice?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Alan
>
>

Alan D. Falk wrote:
> I have a 2001 S4 Avant. My problem is with the air vents in the center of
> the dash console. The leftmost of the three vents (the one closest to the
> driver, hence the most important one) doesn't stay in position while
> driving. If I adjust it vertically to the "detent" in the "vertically
> neutral" position, it won't stay in that position. This is an admittedly
> minor problem. The dealer is willing to fix it under warranty, however, and
> already has the part. I didn't realize, when I mentioned it to the dealer,
> that fixing it requires disassembling the center console.

Are you sure about this "disassembling"?

I have a B5 Avant (model year 2001, built in Oct 2000, i.e. not the new
B6 chassis). That centre vent set is very *easy* to pull right out of
the dash, though remember there are wires for the small lights that have
to be negotiated before the vent set is completely separated from car.

If you have the "old" chassis then repair/replacements of vents is very
easy. If you have the "new" chassis then someone else will have to
advise . . .

Hope that helps /Robert

Thanks for the feedback, Steve and Robert. I've decided against the
replacement. I'll live with some temporary solution, like a judiciously
wedged piece of paper to hold it in place, rather than risk potential
squeaks and rattles.

Thanks again.

-Alan

"Alan D. Falk" > wrote in message
...
> I have a 2001 S4 Avant. My problem is with the air vents in the center of
> the dash console. The leftmost of the three vents (the one closest to the
> driver, hence the most important one) doesn't stay in position while
> driving. If I adjust it vertically to the "detent" in the "vertically
> neutral" position, it won't stay in that position. This is an admittedly
> minor problem. The dealer is willing to fix it under warranty, however,
and
> already has the part. I didn't realize, when I mentioned it to the
dealer,
> that fixing it requires disassembling the center console. The question
is,
> "Is it worth the risk of squeaks and rattles that might result when they
> reassemble the center console to install the new vent unit?" I don't have
> the shop manual, so I don't know how likely this is. Any advice?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Alan
>
>