Lock Carrier

[Cody Forbes]

Bill Shaw wrote:
> My 99 A6qa is such a PIA to work on,  you have to move the lock
> carrier to the service position (read: remove the whole d at mn front of
> the car) for just about anything that goes wrong,  change a
> thermostat, change the alternator,  change a fuse (ok.. not a fuse :-)

Have done it countless times at work I've got to say that the whole "service 
mode" gig is pretty nice actually. Many other front engined cars are not 
hurting for space as bad... until you try to reach down there go get at 
something and you **WISH** that you could just undo some bolts and have an 
extra foot of room! It only takes about 15 minutes to go to service mode, 
and the extra room you get saves countless hours of bleeding compared to 
cars that *think* they have enough room. I've got scars from the Lexus that 
just last week tried to slit my wrist (not kidding!) while I was kindly 
changing it's timing belt!

I've got this mantra I've developed that helps when working on VAG products. 
When looking at doing any work I take a look at what I'm up against, then 
sit back and think "ok... whats the HARDEST possoble way I could do this 
job". If you go about it that way it seems to go much smoother and take less 
time then the 'easy' way you would have otherwise gone for. Window regulator 
for example. Remove entire inner door, window, and window frame as one and 
set it on a workbench. Looks like you could just change the regulator in the 
car, but it takes longer and will have you uttering some rather voilent 
words ;-).


Do yourself a favor and buy one of these:
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/sch94170.html

No more service mode for serp-belt related things... including the 
alternator. That tool makes routing the belt easy as pie. Most local tool 
places should have a version, I got mine from Matco.

-Cody Forbes
http://www.5000tq.com
'87 5ktq - Fast.
'87 5ktq QLCC'd plus some
'86 5ktqCD
'86 5k
'86 5k