MMI, some bad, some good

[Takemetothepub]

They are tight, but with a little bit of GO IN YOU BUGGER! And a little tap they fit But don't try and fit them together until you have the plastic bit that goes between them!!!!

Yup re-use the bigger gear. Just follow the vid and you'll be fine.

[tc4332]

Did it.
It works quietly.
SWMBO is a happy bunny.

BUT, again mine is different.
Once indoors, unit on the table and I found a piece of string fitted to it. Nobody has mentioned this so I have taken two photos.

First photo is a side view showing where one end of the string is fastened.

Second photo shows the "hook" on the motor that the other end of the string is hooked to. I have written hooked because it is obviously designed to come off the motor whilst the other end is permanently attached.

Now, conundrum, what is it for, why has nobody else spoken about it.
My supposition, and I am open to other explanations from the more knowledgeable folk on the forum, is that it is to hold the screen mounting frame in the "open" position whilst working on the unit. Well it did that perfectly for me. The loop that was on the motor was the exact length needed to do that job.

I have also realised why the video emphasises having the vents open whilst pulling them out of the dash. It is because the centre vents have two flaps that are closed/opened by an arm inside the dash. If the vents are not open when the vents are pulled out there is a chance you could break the mechanism. Likewise when pushing the vents back into the dash. Note that these flaps are connected on the vent body by a plastic link which was missing on one of mine. Then another magic moment, the other link was an exact double of a piece of plastic that I found soon after buying the car. Nobody on the forum could explain what it was but being a bit of a hoarder I put the said plastic thingy safe. This morning I went to the safe place and there it was. Tried it and now my vents open/close correctly. Note that this only applies to the inboard vents, the outer ones are purely mechanical.
It took a long time. I started at 06:00 and finished at 12:30. OK I stopped for breakfast when management came to see what I was up to. She had heared me drive the bus in but finally realised I had not returned to bed. (I might have slipped up there, but then again the 8 is rather important). I did have another 5 or twenty breaks for cuppas and tv watching and chats with passing neighbours.
Now she needs a bloodie good wash and brush up, the 8 is a bit dirty as well.

[Takemetothepub]

Ah mine had the string, was racking my brain trying to remember what it was that wasn't mentioned when I opened mine up. That's what it was.

Glad you got it sorted OK, did you use all the brass fittings or leave the motor one plastic?

[tc4332]

Used all three gears. Plenty of grease. Moved it in & out manually for ten minutes before I fitted the motor. This took the burrs off the gear edges. I was tempted to run a fine file over them first 'cos of the slight burrs but on the day I was too lazy. Well I'd been out since 04:00.
Tomorrow we are up and out early for a Sunday, I am carrying The Standard at our annual memorial service at the National Memorial, Alrewas.

[Johnmed]

Glad you're all sorted Ray. All the best. John

[mcs]

From a thing I read, the string is there to pull the screen up maybe.
Mine had the string but I couldn't see how it would work.

Mike

[tc4332]

In situ the string definitely does zilch, just looks sort of pretty
I used it to hold the screen frame steady whilst I worked on it.
It would be nice if some really clever Audi trained person came up with the real reason for a bit of string on a prestige motor.
After all my Opels of yore did not have string on them so it cannot be a German thing.

[chewy]

My mmi screen is currently stuck half way, it started grinding a while back and was able to help it up prior to it being stuck.

I've sourced the brass parts and found a video showing how to remove trims to get mmi unit out.

The video on this thread can not be viewed and showing as private. Does it show how to change the gears? Anyone able to share the video if it does? Will i be able to remove the screen out with it being stuck in the half position?

Thanks in advance.

[steamship]

One video on removing the screen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWohs_QvEII

One video on changing the gears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0vHyFQ0CCY

and also a step by step guide with photos: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...tions-2849359/

[chewy]

Thank you so much steamship! I'll give it a go in a few weeks and let you know how I get on.