The Laying on of Hands

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/02/2016 at 19:10 • Filed to: nox box

At 52000 miles my wife’s 2011 VW Sportwagen tdi (aka the nox box) has been in the shop many times already: fuel system exploding issues, hvac issues and a handful of little issues but always under warrantee. Today however, I put my own hands to the wagon for the first time to begin my never ending journey of out of warrantee repair (though I still have 8000 miles power train warrantee and some kind of super unlimited emissions equipment warrantee I would guess).

After changing out it from winter to summer tires we decided to drive to a park for a picnic to discover that the rear hatch wasn’t closing, at all. Typical of VW the rear latch, which should be a couple of simple metal hooks and levers but instead is an electronic module made mostly of plastic and profit maximization decided that it could no longer bear the burden of keeping closed a door that pretty much kept itself closed the entire time I drove around without it. Pulled off the paneling, discovered that there is a tool called “triple square” and $115 in parts and tools later...it now closes again.

(the offending part...made in Italy apparently...hmm)

But really, 52,000 miles? When we bought the car the salesman was insistent that VW was so much better than other manufactures because their door hinges were made of iron and could easily support his weight (when I asked for a demonstration he declined) but what good would adimantium hinges be if the freakin’ door latch fails in an accident? I know its not the same (door v hatch) but cmon VW...this isn’t even that uncommon a problem I hear. Hoping for that buyout...

DISCUSSION (23)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:15

That view is nice.

HammerheadFistpunch > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/02/2016 at 19:18

I don’t hate it...no I don't.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:19

We have some trees, and uh, well it slopes down slightly across the road. Though I am thankful that I can do interstate speeds, due to lack of elevation.

E92M3 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:20

Enough about that VW. Let’s hear more about that Land Cruiser.

bob and john > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:22

huh.

our A3 hasnt had any running issues in 125K. an emissions sesnor and a EGR flapper valve.

the ONE time we had to pull over and stop driving was when it got a flat.

though I might steal that nox box nickname :P

LongbowMkII > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:22

Emissions warranty? O2 sensors for life? Nah, VW wouldn't be that nice.

1111111111111111111111 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:27

I can’t tell you enough how much I hate VW.

-this space for rent- > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:30

Germans love the triple square bits. At least you didnt confuse them with allen or you’d have had a bad (worse?) day.

Oh they like putting allens in random places too.

HammerheadFistpunch > E92M3
04/02/2016 at 19:31

Maybe we can get zoidberg in here too and we can talk Toyota’s...I hear he’s got some kind of toyota

jimz > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:35

which should be a couple of simple metal hooks and levers but instead is an electronic module made mostly of plastic and profit maximization

German engineering: “Why use one moving part when you can use 12?”

HammerheadFistpunch > -this space for rent-
04/02/2016 at 19:36

Used torqs to get to the triple square... Wtf Germany

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:42

I’ve seen a lot of fairly new VWs with a lot of rust on them with relatively low kms around where I live....starting to think their quality has been fading a lot in recent years...

BJ > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 19:48

Replaced the same part on the 4Runner, it cost me $300 on Amazon... And you have to reset the ECU in the hatch or it won’t even work! Crazy.

At least the nuts were standard 10mm heads.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 20:55

Or me.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 20:58

Well... You have a Volkswagen and a Land Cruiser. No wonder you’re annoyed at the VWs time in the shop.

HammerheadFistpunch > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
04/02/2016 at 21:06

That was mostly a bad joke that I’m amazed people aren’t sick of hearing about my cruiser on here. I can’t even tell if e92 is serious ouror not because of it...

The Snowman > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 22:07

Hey HHFP, do you know a good local detail guy/shop?

HammerheadFistpunch > The Snowman
04/02/2016 at 22:39

Detail? I’m afraid I don’t, sorry.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 22:55

Triple squares. Also infamous in VW/Audi land as being the method by which half shafts are bolted to differentials and transaxles.

I will have to fight those eventually as the half shafts on the front transaxle of the S4 are of the type: “CV Boots? The hell you talking about?”

#B5Things

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > -this space for rent-
04/02/2016 at 22:57

You could use a Robertson bit for low torque triple squares... If you were being daft and silly. :)

The Snowman > HammerheadFistpunch
04/02/2016 at 23:36

Yeah the wife’s equinox is disgusting and I have given up hope of her cleaning it... I’ll have to ask around at work.

-this space for rent- > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
04/03/2016 at 00:09

1.8T has triple square head bolts too.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > -this space for rent-
04/03/2016 at 07:33

Which the Passat also had as an option, in between sludge ups.