wolfrc

Here's the tip: don't leave a large starbucks coffee cup in the rear cupholder, then drop the 60 fold down seat to haul a few boards from Home Depot. The impact of the middle head rest on the top of the coffee cup will snap the cupholder off quite nicely. I know, REAL Audi enthusiasts neither drink coffee in their cars OR haul things, but I live in the real world!
Here's the question: I searched the archives, and there is plenty of info for removal of the coin tray from the dash, but precious little about removal of the rear cupholders. One post mentioned a "tab" at the right front corner to release the assembly. Am I missing something? Maybe I'm just a moron, but I really can't figure out how to remove the rear cupholder from my '01 sedan. I thought that a headgasket replacement on a VR6 was tough, but this is a real test of my skills.
Help?
HELP!!!

HPH

...straight from the manual. I don't know if you can do this without removing the back seat bench or not:
_______________________________________________

Cup holder and cup holder trim panel, removing
- Remove rear seat bench.
Removing cup holder trim panel.
- Using a screwdriver, pry out cup holder trim panel -4- at retainer hooks -3-.
Removing cup holder (Cup holder trim panel removed.)
- Open cup holder.
- Using a screwdriver, press retainer tabs -2- (2x) upward (do not press downward with screwdriver; risk of damaging cup holder) and pull out cup holder -1-.

Note:
The cup holder frame is molded into the rear seat bench and is not available separately as a replacement part.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/23312/rearcup1.jpg">

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cupholder, detaching from seat cover
- Pry fastening strips -2- (top and bottom) out of cup holder frame-1-.
- When installing, insert fastening strips -2- (top and bottom) into guides -3- (2x).

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/23312/rearcup2.jpg">

_______________________________________________
Hope this helps.

wolfrc

I'll try again in better lighting today. I would really hate to ask my dealer for help on something that should be so easy!

Cogsworth33

thin screwdriver. The tabs are on the top left and right. After removing the plastic plate stick your screwdriver above the cupholder on the left side at the same time pull gently on the holder so that as you put pressure on the tab it won't snap back. You may need to angle the screwdriver up a bit to push the tab up. Now as you are holding out move the screwdriver to the other side and do the same thing. You then apply more pressure to pull it out. I used the tech article in the other link and was able to do both of them in about five minutes. Good luck.

wolfrc

I'll give it another try in tomorrow's daylight...thanks!

mraiteri

does anybody know how the cylinder spring stays attached to the tray in the cupholder. It is the chrome one with the t tap on the end. The black cylinder fits inside of it and has to tabs on ends that fit into the middle back of the tray. I can not figure out how it stays in the grooves. Does the shiny hollow cylinder T tab attach to something. I have everything else working but can not figure this out. Also there is a spring on the side at the back of the tray. Can't tell what the purpose is . Any help? Please Pictures of cylinder and spring would help

Airbag

i have no idea .. Audi cupholders are more an engineering marvel than their engines

OGBULLYLOCDAWG

The spring/gear piece on the back controls the speed of the cupholder opening. Without that, it'll pretty much slingshot open.

At the front of the cupholder frame, you'll see a small slot where the "T" tab of the copper part hooks onto. It's possible that the thin piece of plastic snapped off.

mraiteri

Thanks much! I finally found a you tube video that actually shows this. Your explanation was very good and appreciated; but I found the video first -- If I could remember the link I would post it. I do not think from logic i would have ever figured this one out. My slot had worn or broken so the the T tip would not stay; so here is a tip for anyone. I used florist wire to go though the opening at the slot and loop it around the T tab. Then i use apoxy to hold it into place. The wire and apoxy worked liked a charm --Thought I would pass that along for others.