Thanks for that response MJ, at least that's confirmed what I suspected, TPS wallet empty here I come+++

However I suspect these hoses on mine are the original ones so replacing them with genuine Audi should see another 15 years I guess, so probably see me out:ROFL:

mmmm .... time to order a set then? Better investment that Bitcoin eh?:ROFL:

Would anything else have similar hoses like the A6?
At the end of the day it's not alien technology, someone has made these hoses for about 40 quid so it must be achievable again. I'm sure MJ will find a way forward.
The subframe however, when they become unavailable new and there are no rot free ones left out there, that will be terminal. I don't fancy trying to make one of those from scratch. Offer to repair still stands, don't scrap the holey ones

Could a company like Pirtek not make them up to match what youve got?
http://www.pirtek.co.uk/

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Interestingly I just spoke to the mechanic and he is going to speak to Pirtek when he returns from his annual ski trip week after next+++

Surely, Dezzy, anything more complicated than a 1930s Ford tractor would look like "Alien Technology" to someone in the west country??:p

If my local cretins are anything to go by, not even close :rolleyes: They refuse to re-use hose fittings, pointing to an ordinance from head office which states the exact opposite. Instead of crimping a new hose to the special banjo fitting, they insisted on cutting the original barbs off and silver-soldering a new hose tail on, to which they then crimped a new hose. That lost all the clever nozzle stuff and made the pump howl.

There are a few challenges to replicate the factory hoses and its going to take some R&D and possibly a couple of attempts.

1, removing the crimp from the original banjo fitting without damaging the fitting - its a big crimp on a small fitting. Possible to do, but one slip with the grinder...
2, sizing and fitting a reducer bush at the original distance inside the hose as the original to support the nylon liner - this is a steel bush pushed about 18" down the inside of the hose, then crimped externally to hold it in place. No such crimp exists in Pirtek's catalog so it'd need some research to find / make a replacement
3, doing the same about 3-4' down the hose to replicate the support for the nylon liner where the bolted union used to be. The bolted union supports the other end of the nylon liner, and then its plain 10mm hose after that to the rack.

Its a non-trivial task to replicate the factory hose performance, but not impossible. It just needs sufficient motivation, like the factory having none left. Unfortunately there's nothing else in the Audi range which is a direct fit (A4 and A6 are too short) and the D3 hoses don't quite fit although might be a good starting point. I know a few other hydraulic hose specialists in my local area (including HEL who make stainless braided hoses and fittings) so there are more options to explore still.

Hoses on back order from Germany, estimated delivery 2 weeks, the simplest of the three, the mainly rubber one is obsolete so need to get that made up, probably from Pirtek..really missing the old girl:-(

Ooh that's not a good sign. Still, that's the return so simple enough to replicate if you can persuade Pirtek to swage new hose on to the original fittings. The fitting at the front end of that one where it meets the cooler is a restrictor so important they keep it.

Got the S8 back today, over a month since I last drove the old girl..and I have missed her. My RS6 is a great car to drive and is stunningly fast, but it lacks the feeling of class and sophistication and all round “coolness” that the S8 has, will go for a drive tomorrow +++

ETA needs a good clean now too:o