Great MOD: Chrome door pins

[notorious]

I knew, I knew you will open this page!!!

In old times I owned Passat B5 and Audi A4 B5 i used to change exisiting plastic door pins to chrome ones that come with Skoda Superb. This is how chrome door pin looks like in Passt B5 door after the upgrade:



If you really want to get crazy, then "titanium" door pins are also available from VAG, but I don't really like those:



Part numbers:

6Y0 837 181 A 739 -- Chrome pin
1C0 837 187 A 3Z9 -- Titanium pin

VAG also supplies 4 chrome pins in one kit + instruction. Part number is DEB 000 001. Yes it looks strange, but this is actual part number. This 4 pins kit cost below 10 pounds and is orderable from Skoda or Volkswagen dealers. Not sure you can order those from Audi.

You can change those without removing door cards:





Question: Did anyone do this upgrade on A8 D2?

I once removed driver's door card to change scratched door handle and it seems door pins are exactly like those used in Passats and Skodas of that time, but I didn't bother checking in detail.

If I don't find anyone who can confirm this I'm going to order DEB 000 001 and try it myself soon. Will keep you posted...

[jayzee]

I can see how they would benefit the D2; the central locking pump is so quiet, so at a distance you can't tell if the locking pins are up or down being black. The options? keep pressing the locking button... I still don't trust the flasing indicators as I like to hear a definite clunk from the door locks.

They look kinda cool; shame they don't do alley ones for an alley car!

[notorious]

OK, ordered DEB 000 001 kit from Skoda dealer in Reading. Paid 8 pounds. Will arrive next week.

[Conan_the_Librarian]

Do a how-to and report and I will add to the sticky.

[notorious]

OK, received DEB 000 001 kit from Skoda today and installed chrome pins on my beloved A8 D2 2002

First of, I confirm these Skoda pins have the same geometry and the same attachment system as original Audi A8 D2 2002 pins The only difference is design of upper part of the pin. Chrome pin has a dome shape tip as shown on photographs. Original pin has a flat tip.

Installation manual that comes with the kit is self explanatory -- see picture at the beginning of the thread. You don't need to remove door cards.

Additional tips:

1. I would advice to lower window glass to allow more working space and work from outside of the car through window opening.

2. With pliers and supplied cylindrical plastic piece of pipe (it is used to avoid scratching) rotate the pin 180 degrees any direction.

3. After this operation you'll notice that pin doesn’t sit firmly in place when you move or shake it a bit with your fingers. This indicates that you can now lift/extract the pin up. Again, do it with pliers and cylindrical plastic tool. Don’t be afraid to apply some force at this moment -- there is nothing to break in lock mechanism, but please don't sue me if you started to extract it before it actually reached 180 degree position.

4. When you finished removing the first pin take your time to observe the way it was attached to steel threaded rod. It'll become 100% clear how to install the pin back in place (picture 5 in installation manual).

5. Take chrome pin. Put into desired depth. Rotate new pin 180% with pliers and cylindrical plastic tool as indicated by arrow in the manual. Be careful at this point, as new pin doesn’t have any thread inside it yet, so this operation require some force. Look that you don't damage pin with pliers as cylindrical plastic tool can get worn quickly if your pliers have sharp "teeth".

6. Please notice that by design the pin attachment allows you to install pins at different depths. It took me some time to remove/install new pins to perfectly align all of them at my favorite depth, so that they all "park" at the same perfect depth when you lock the car. I think I removed and installed each pin at least 3 or 4 times to get perfect alignment, but it'll take you less time if you're not that crazy.

During this final exercise I scratched two chrome pins, as my cylindrical plastic tool got worn. I'll be ordering another DEB 000 001 kit from Skoda on Monday to change two scratched pins. I would advice to order 2 kits from the beginning just in case you damage some pins (two kits will cost 8 x 2 = 16 UK pounds). Also, it may be a good idea to apply some silicone spray or some grease on metal threaded rods to reduce traction, but I didn't do that.

The whole job took about 40 minutes, which is less than it took to make pictures, to come to computer, and to prepare this write up.

@jayzee: You're right, chrome pins are better visible from distance for checking if car is locked or unlocked and add that distinctive look.

A couple of pictures of installed chrome pin at locked and unlocked position are below (umm... my favorite depth ):

[Architex_mA8tey]

Great mod & write up Notey!
Can you get the titanium pins in sets too? Ive a got black and gray alcantara interior and think they might look good

[notorious]

AFAIK titanium ones were supplied with VW New Beetle Sports Edition, but I'm not sure as I didn't ever order those. It maybe VAG discontinued them and I'm not sure about the kit. Sorry. Call VW with part number to clarify.

On A8 D2 there are two chrome strips along both sides of window glass: one from exterior side, and one from the inside. So we've got too much chrome in that area anyway. IMHO adding one extra chrome element won't spoil the picture

[Mkoneman]

Awesome mod my work mates mate owns a skoda garage so I'll get on them on monday

[jayzee]

They look the business

I'm going to do the same now

[notorious]

More pictures below for undecided minority

On some of them inner and outer chrome strips can be seen







...Yes I have iPhone 3GS and yes it makes sh*tty pictures...