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D2 - Body and Exterior Bumpers, bonnets, glass, trims - Everything outside

 
 
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Old 12th March 2018, 07:34 PM
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steamship steamship is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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Default A Bit of Bling for the Boot

I think ever since I saw the first D3, I wanted to fit chrome boot struts to my D2, except I could never find them for sale anywhere. I chased a few companies, but no one seems to manufacture the chrome ones anymore.

Fast forward to a post I saw on Facebook about a fortnight ago, announcing the demise of the A8parts company W12 D3, along with some photos, one of which included the gas struts. A very quick call to Maria and I had them paid for.



This is what arrived. Nice and shiny, but a quick going over with a little Autosol and now even cleaner. So far as size is concerned compared to the original ones, the D3 chrome ones are about 1/4 inch longer overall... thankfully. This is a rough side-by-side view of them:



So far as fitting them is concerned, there is a small flat piece of metal wrapped over each connection point. I used a small flat bladed screwdriver to gently prise is off slightly, as shown.



I started with the strut end attached to the boot itself as it was easier to get at. Once you prise the metal away from the strut, you can just pull back gently and rotate the strut of the ball joint. If the boot is open fully, there is no excess movement from the strut. I then moved the strut back over the lower joint to get at the second indent for the clip.

Fitting the new ones are pretty the same in reverse. First, insert the screwdriver blade into the first indent (lower end of strut) and set strut on ball joint. Slide the screwdriver blade out and the strut locks in place. The same process works for the upper attachment (to the boot lid), but test the strength of the strut beforehand to see how far you will have to compress it (since they are slightly longer).

Repeat for the second strut, and then give them another wipe down, and they should end up looking like this:



I've since noticed a couple more pair of chrome struts on eBay today. Typical, just like buses. Wait ages for one, and then three turn up at once.
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2001 A8 D2 FL 3.7 Q - LPG Conversion, Engine: AKC, Gearbox:FBB, Colour:LY5X Aqua Blue pearl effect, Interior:WJ light beige/dark beige valcona leather with burr walnut inserts

My DIY jobs - Replaced alarm horn, Replaced Coolant Temp sensor, Updated RNS-D firmware, Installed Reversing Camera and Digital TV, Dashcam Installation, Retrofitted Rear Blinds, Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror, Chrome Boot Struts

Sold! 2008 S8 D3 5.2 V10 - Engine: BSM, Gearbox:KLW, Colour:LY7F Suzuka Grey Pearl Effect, Interior:Black/Black with Silver/Black valcona leather with carbon atlas inserts, Bang & Olufsen, Heated windscreen, Soft-close doors, TV, DAB, AMI, Quad Zone, Auto Boot, Auto dim Mirrors, Keyless entry, PDC with rearview camera, AFS II Headlights

My DIY jobs - Fan Jet Windscreen Washers, Retrofitted Electric Side Blinds
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