Audi Dash Cupholder Repair Bracers

thingiverse

Note: I have been told that some of my models do not come out the right size on certain programs. The proper length for these is 2 inches. If it is not 2 inches in your software, please scale the whole object to meet that length. This is a simple set of bracers for the flimsy fold out cup holders in older model audis. These are only useful for cup holders which have cracked plastic where the back of the cup holder armature connects into the socket, causing the whole cup holder to bend downward when a heavy drink is placed in it. This video does a better job explaining how to remove and disassemble the cup holder than I can with words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPfmNJk1UXk He is solving a different problem, but the disassemble and reassembly are useful. Credit goes to its creator, I am not responsible for the video. Once the cupholder assembly is removed from the sleeve, you will see where the cracks in the armature are (I will include photos above). These bracers are intended to be glued down over the cracked area and distribute the load to the rear of the assembly (use gorilla glue and clamps to make sure the bond is strong and the pieces are flush). If you get glue in the small cutout area where there is a pivot hole, make sure you clear the glue from that joint or you risk inhibiting the unfolding action of the cupholder (can be cleared with a knife after the glue is dry, gorilla glue can just be picked off). Once clamped for at least 12 hours, and left to rest another 12 hours, reassemble the unit and put it back in your car. If you print in black you can't even tell they are there. The bracers as a pair are rated for 4lbs which is 64oz of water. After installing them on my dash cup holder, I have successfully held a 32oz drink without any flex. The two rear cup holders, and the in dash cup holder all have the same design and can use this bracer. I don't know what models or years were the same, but I have a 2001 A6 which is what I based the models on. Print Settings Printer: Da Vinci Pro Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.1mm Infill: N/A Notes: Due to the thickness of the part and the stress applied to it, I recommend printing as small a layer height as you can manage and as high an infill as you can. I printed the top and bottom layers so thick that there was no infill. I also recommend only printing from ABS. Stress analysis was done with properties for ABS, and I am not sure PLA will hold up without flexing or even breaking. I print almost exclusively in ABS so I don't have experience with PLA but I know it has lower strength but higher elasticity. Pulling this off the bed, it will feel flimsy. It is very delicate when bent across the thin area perpendicularly to the part. It purposely has strength in the parallel direction because all the force will be placed on it in that direction and once glued down it should experience zero force perpendicular to the surface.