That red audi a2. VK55

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Bit of an  easy therapy session.  Front seat cleaning always produces results.

[Shadow]

Wow. Clearly those seats have seen some action. 

[95 quid Peugeot]

On 11/08/2025 at 23:34, Dj_efk said:

Contact a chap called Paul Whittle on A2OC. Among his many talents and aftermarket products he refurbs the wiper arms on these to better-than-new. Handle is depronman.

 

He did the arm on the last one I had, much improved 

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Been using the a2 for last 3 weeks.

All good apart from :

Biggest problem is rear left handbrake .

One time use at the moment. Jams on. Then requires rear wheel removal and physically release the handbrake shoe lever in the drum.

I have just been using a block of wood and leaving in gear when parked.

The problem is the left hand side handbrake cable not releasing. Right hand side fine.

Today I spent a good hour exercising the cable back an forth with pliers.

Still.no joy. Still too stiff.

bugger.

Then  putting all this bastard back together.

I hate drum brakes.

Have i now lost the will to carry on ?

I think the cable is cheap enough at less than £20. But looks a right pain to change because of access route.

Any leads on videos on explanation how to do this.

Shame as the engine seems in fine health so far.

What a way to spend a sunny afternoon off work.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

@Dj_efk looking on audi a2 forum I see many handbrake cable issues and different cable lengths and you also had this repair done, but on disk rear brakes.

it does seem a bit of a nightmare on these working out which cables are correct  as various different lengths  used.

[Brigsy]

Does the cable run inside a metal tube to route it to the rear beam area? I had similar issue on my r26 and the cable was corroded solid inside the tube. Ended up renewing the tube and cable.

I also hate the fcuking springs on shoes/drums. Always a carry on to fit!

[Dj_efk]

So the issue is the cable being partially seized?

If you go on Nemiga.com they have a copy of the EKTA parts diagrams - from this you should be able to ge the OE part number. That will then ensure you buy the correct cable.

[RoverFolkUs]

On 19/09/2025 at 19:01, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

bugger.

The handbrake lever is being pulled which is wrong, you'll have a completely ineffective handbrake if you set it up like that

If the cables aren't moving freely, they'll need replacing, there's no two ways about it. Have you completely de-adjusted the cable at the lever?

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Yes. The left hand cable seems to be partially  seized.  Yes I fully un tensioned cable at the hand brake level and then mucked about with it for a while.

Been to an audi dealer and got the part number for left hand cable from them ( part unavailable from audi ).

Amongst sellers There is much confusion about slightly different cable lengths for these a2s.

Audi part no. For my vin number.

Left side.  .8z0609721g.

Right side.   8z0609722 g

Wish me luck getting correct length and working out how to access both ends.

 

 

[Dj_efk]

HERE  is an A2OC post you may have seen from someone experiencing similar issues. This backs up the part numbers you mention.

HERE is the cheapest handbrake cable directly corresponding to that part number (8z0609721g - the left / seized one) on eBay 😉

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Tight space but almost doable but :-

That Bottom part of pic is cable interference fit holding bracket that after 20 years is  not un- interfering !

There is very little access into space to use force. I can only just get finger tips in there.

Have left it soaking in penetrating oil for now and praying tonight. Otherwise I have no idea how to get that out without lots of fuel tank, exhaust pipe and fuel pipe removal. Bugger .

 

[Dj_efk]

I don’t think removing the fuel tank is TOO much of an arse on these?

I would search A2OC for the solution or post a question on there

[Lacquer Peel]

On 19/09/2025 at 21:42, Brigsy said:

Does the cable run inside a metal tube to route it to the rear beam area? I had similar issue on my r26 and the cable was corroded solid inside the tube. Ended up renewing the tube and cable.

I also hate the fcuking springs on shoes/drums. Always a carry on to fit!

A lot easier with locking pliers 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-locking-pliers-7-170mm-/6711J?tc=FB9&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605978230&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPyo75sKSMWCI2WVxHNThxmPp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Y3HBhCxARIsAN7931UNlHBsHuWCnwIOtTNGafzqJ6d4QRcfvrwLAz-y5mmhESoHtwXHCfwaAj1XEALw_wcB

[Brigsy]

2 hours ago, Lacquer Peel said:

A lot easier with locking pliers 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/stanley-locking-pliers-7-170mm-/6711J?tc=FB9&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605978230&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPyo75sKSMWCI2WVxHNThxmPp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Y3HBhCxARIsAN7931UNlHBsHuWCnwIOtTNGafzqJ6d4QRcfvrwLAz-y5mmhESoHtwXHCfwaAj1XEALw_wcB

I need to purchase a set of them as i have drums to do soon. 

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Update time.

Handbrake sorted. Took to a man with a lift, sacrificed part of exhaust heat shield and it is possible to remove and replace handbrake cable section from brake drum to centre cable piece.  £16 part plus £20 to man with lift. Result.

4 new roadX  185 60 15 budget tyres at £195  fitted  to replace very old / cracking 195 50 15 as faffing trying to find part worns and fitting was difficult and not much saving.benefit is now speedo is far more accurate.

And a new mot pass !

As per my user name will update with costs involved to get a £400 a2 a new mot  to create a car worth £750 on a good day.

 

 

[Asimo]

Those wheels are by far the best A2 wheels🙂, they deserve that extra bit of sidewall.

[Dj_efk]

They’re not actually A2 wheels despite being very popular with owners (myself included) - they’re from a similar era A3 - but they are mega light and strong thanks to being made of forged alloy. So much so that fitting a set makes a small but measurable improvement on fuel consumption!

[colino]

If that is only worth £750 to you, please let me know when you are getting rid! 

[Marshall2810]

Glad to see youve made good progress with this. My Dad sold this to me and I introduced this to the forum, then passed on to jim Bell. 

Running costs were unbelievably low but far too many 'niggles' for me to end up liking it, namely the daft heater mechanism which always gets stuck and the worse ariel arrangement also being the rear demister. 

I believe the bushes for the wiper mechanism had already been upgraded/replaced and glad it hasn't scratched the screen. 

Dad really likes them and got this orange one afterwards. Your one had the same wheels as this when I sold it.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Time for an update on the real cost of £400 142000 miles car. We all know where and how this will go !

£££

400.         Audi a2. Known faults and project.

181.       Calipers,disks, flexis,drums,   shoes           cylinders etc by me

24.         Oil and filter

12.      New Calipers bolts

16.     Left side handbrake cable

20.     Garage man with lift to remove stuck handbrake cable.

17.       Pattern led number plates lights

80.        One cv boot done by above garage in cold November.

195.       4 new budget 185 60 15s

57.          Refurb wiper arm from audi a2 forum member. A must on most old a2s

20.         New rear copper brake pipes made by me

20.         Helicoil  by me on front caliper holding bracket

Free.       Headlight polish and buff.

Free.        Rear brake light bulb in stock in shed

45.           Mot

700.       Totalfixing spent. ( so far)

1100.       Grand total

 

Maybe still to do if car still works by spring.

Rear shocks and all bump stops/ mounts.

Non existent radio reception.

Non working a/c will remain Non working.

Paint work and lacquer peel, I like it as is.

1.4 tdi. £35/ year tax

Cheap motoring at its most interesting. Goes round corners on rails. Seats fold to make mini van. For 20 year old car interior has held up well. Fairly punchy in 3rd gear out of corners. 

I would buy another but not at prices some on autotrader seem to think these are worth.

 

 

 

[Dj_efk]

Just picked up another one of these myself, a 1.4 petrol with a rather flat-feeling MPI polo engine. 400 quid with a couple of niggles needing addressing and a long MOT.

It’s woken right up after a good Cataclean and Italian tune-up and goes alright now!