Door Blades + Silicone Caulk

[sti2relaxxin]

After discovering that three of the four door blades on my car are rusting internally and bulging, I was fortunate enough to find four replacement blades which are rust free. The price of the blades plus getting them painted was costly, so I decided to take extra measures by applying silicone caulk to every single seam to prevent water entry. It took about two hours to caulk all four blades, and only time will tell if my efforts will yield positive results. I recommend getting one of those small tubes of caulk that looks like a toothpaste tube, and then drilling a tiny hole in the end. This allows you to apply a very small bead into the small cracks and minimizes the mess.


Pics:





Part Numbers:
8E0853959 Left front door blade
8E0853960 Right front door blade
8E0853969 Left Rear door blade
8E0853970 Right Rear door blade

Users kmurph and Old_skool have confirmed the B6 A4 uses the exact same door blades (same part number), so this means there are potentially a lot of used blades out there.

Resource for discontinued Audi parts (Thanks dan32v):
https://shops.audi.com/en_GB/web/tradition

[sti2relaxxin]

More pics showing closer detail.

[MDIRADS]

Hi sti. I appreciate your helpful post above. I used the link of the parts website, and searched 8E0853960 (right front door blade). The search returned 3 items, all of which had the prefix 8E0853960, which also included A, C, and E variants. Were you able to discern the differences between the 3 variants?

[longlivenacars]

When I bought mine couple years ago took it to one of my body shops for general look over and the guy inspected whole car and said my rear door blades (at least one) have been 'sealed to the door' by a PO.

Sounded positive about this and when I asked what he meant, he said they do it at his body shop often on Audi's for doorblades. Guys been around long enough to have worked on b6 and b7's

My two fronts are Ok enough for my car's condition but I may do something about them.

So FWIW, and if the body guy's claim is correct on my car, with a proper sealing technique, my car's rear blades have remained good, and who knows how long ago the two newer rear were sealed to the doors.

I think sealing correctly will help

[Old_skool]

After discovering that three of the four door blades on my car are rusting internally and bulging, I was fortunate enough to find four replacement blades which are rust free. The price of the blades plus getting them painted was costly, so I decided to take extra measures by applying silicone caulk to every single seam to prevent water entry. It took about two hours to caulk all four blades, and only time will tell if my efforts will yield positive results. I recommend getting one of those small tubes of caulk that looks like a toothpaste tube, and then drilling a tiny hole in the end. This allows you to apply a very small bead into the small cracks and minimizes the mess.

Awesome! This is incredibly useful... never knew about this product

[Old_skool]

Hi sti. I appreciate your helpful post above. I used the link of the parts website, and searched 8E0853960 (right front door blade). The search returned 3 items, all of which had the prefix 8E0853960, which also included A, C, and E variants. Were you able to discern the differences between the 3 variants?

I’ve compiled what I guess can be used as a definitive door-blade part-number resource:

Model_____________|____'letter' at end of part number____|____example: front-right
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
b6 a4 + b7 rs4______|_____NO letter after part number____|____8E0 853 960
b6 + b7 s4_________|_____letter ‘A’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 A
b6 + b7 a4 ‘s-line’___|_____letter ‘C’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 C
b7 a4_____________|_____letter ‘E’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 E
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The good news is that I have 100% confirmed all of the above by calling my parts guy at audi and cross-checking with vin#s of the actual cars… all except ‘b7 a4’, but this can be essentially be deemed accurate as when I cross-referenced them all again in etka via year ranges… ‘E’ was the only one that was not 100% confirmed via vin# as I do not have access to a standard b7 a4 (non-s-line).

The bad news is…
I have pulled out all of my sets of blades to visually get (and cross-reference a final time) the exact part numbers from each blade, and have only just now found out that none of the differing door blades (ie s4 vs s-line etc) have the end-letter after the part number on any of the door blades. The only blades I have not visually in-hand confirmed this with is standard b7 a4(non s-line) blades as these are the only blades i do not own a set of.

So I guess if getting from a second-hand source, the vehicle needs to be identified as the desired 'blade-variant' one, and that the blades are the factory ones if someone can't 100% tell the difference visually

[sti2relaxxin]

When I bought mine couple years ago took it to one of my body shops for general look over and the guy inspected whole car and said my rear door blades (at least one) have been 'sealed to the door' by a PO.

Sounded positive about this and when I asked what he meant, he said they do it at his body shop often on Audi's for doorblades. Guys been around long enough to have worked on b6 and b7's

My two fronts are Ok enough for my car's condition but I may do something about them.

So FWIW, and if the body guy's claim is correct on my car, with a proper sealing technique, my car's rear blades have remained good, and who knows how long ago the two newer rear were sealed to the doors.

I think sealing correctly will help

Interesting. I bet instead of sealing the individual seams like I did, they just filled the whole channel with silicone and then attached the blade to the car while the caulk was still wet. This would be faster than filling only the seams, but I would prefer to be able to remove them if necessary.

[sti2relaxxin]

Hi sti. I appreciate your helpful post above. I used the link of the parts website, and searched 8E0853960 (right front door blade). The search returned 3 items, all of which had the prefix 8E0853960, which also included A, C, and E variants. Were you able to discern the differences between the 3 variants?

FYI- That website does not include the United States in their drop-down box during the checkout process. I learned this when trying to buy an RS4 specific hood strut. I reached out to them, and they said they are working on adding the functionality to ship the US, but don't have an estimated time as to when it will be possible. I am still trying to get more details from them regarding timing and will post any updates if/when I receive them.

[rnlabas]

I’ve compiled what I guess can be used as a definitive door-blade part-number resource:

Model_____________|____'letter' at end of part number____|____example: front-right
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
b6 a4 + b7 rs4______|_____NO letter after part number____|____8E0 853 960
b6 + b7 s4_________|_____letter ‘A’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 A
b6 + b7 a4 ‘s-line’___|_____letter ‘C’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 C
b7 a4_____________|_____letter ‘E’ after part number_____|____8E0 853 960 E
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The good news is that I have 100% confirmed all of the above by calling my parts guy at audi and cross-checking with vin#s of the actual cars… all except ‘b7 a4’, but this can be essentially be deemed accurate as when I cross-referenced them all again in etka via year ranges… ‘E’ was the only one that was not 100% confirmed via vin# as I do not have access to a standard b7 a4 (non-s-line).

The bad news is…
I have pulled out all of my sets of blades to visually get (and cross-reference a final time) the exact part numbers from each blade, and have only just now found out that none of the differing door blades (ie s4 vs s-line etc) have the end-letter after the part number on any of the door blades. The only blades I have not visually in-hand confirmed this with is standard b7 a4(non s-line) blades as these are the only blades i do not own a set of.

So I guess if getting from a second-hand source, the vehicle needs to be identified as the desired 'blade-variant' one, and that the blades are the factory ones if someone can't 100% tell the difference visually

I just looked thru ETKA to see what you've compiled too - What I see is that all of these blades are for models that span production generally from Aug 04 (or Nov 05) thru Jun 08. The differences between the letter codes (A, C, D, E & none) correspond to other PR codes present (additional options) and they are :

A) PR:2K4 C) & D) PR:2K8,2K9 E) PR:VJ7, 2K2 none) RS 4 Saloon/Avant - ALL with 7DL Grey colored/primed

PR Codes 2K2,2K4 2K8 & VJ7 ALL have to do with specific "Reinforced Bumpers" types - which mean that perhaps the material in the blades (metal strip?) may have slightly different properties than each other for additional side reinforcements...? Don't know that there'd be (or expect) any other apparent visual differences though -

Seems to me these would be ideal candidates for some 3D printing in all polymer to prevent further such issues so long as the polymer choice can stand the heat/vibration (and structural rigidity) itself in this application. [Hasn't someone already tried or talked about trying this?]

[sti2relaxxin]

I just looked thru ETKA to see what you've compiled too - What I see is that all of these blades are for models that span production generally from Aug 04 (or Nov 05) thru Jun 08. The differences between the letter codes (A, C, D, E & none) correspond to other PR codes present (additional options) and they are :

A) PR:2K4 C) & D) PR:2K8,2K9 E) PR:VJ7, 2K2 none) RS 4 Saloon/Avant - ALL with 7DL Grey colored/primed

PR Codes 2K2,2K4 2K8 & VJ7 ALL have to do with specific "Reinforced Bumpers" types - which mean that perhaps the material in the blades (metal strip?) may have slightly different properties than each other for additional side reinforcements...? Don't know that there'd be (or expect) any other apparent visual differences though -

Seems to me these would be ideal candidates for some 3D printing in all polymer to prevent further such issues so long as the polymer choice can stand the heat/vibration (and structural rigidity) itself in this application. [Hasn't someone already tried or talked about trying this?]

Very interesting. The replacement blades I purchased have "2002" stamped on them, and I can confirm they are visually identical to the blades that came on my 2008 RS4. This thread is gathering some great information!

[Old_skool]

Don't know that there'd be (or expect) any other apparent visual differences though -

Do you mean some other visual differences besides the differing profiles (protrusion shapes and severity/distance protruding outwards etc) of the blades along the 'y' axis (looking at them from either end)?

Seems to me these would be ideal candidates for some 3D printing in all polymer to prevent further such issues so long as the polymer choice can stand the heat/vibration (and structural rigidity) itself in this application. [Hasn't someone already tried or talked about trying this?]

I don't think the issue would be the polymers used for the outer face of the blades. From everything I've read over the years those unfortunate enough to experience warping and degradation of the blades seem to be from the corrosion of the reinforcing metal at the rear of the blades (I cant speak from experience as have never even seen this on any car first-hand)...

[Old_skool]

Very interesting. The replacement blades I purchased have "2002" stamped on them, and I can confirm they are visually identical to the blades that came on my 2008 RS4. This thread is gathering some great information!

If you go into Etka in reverse (not via vin# or part#) by selecting car (a4,s4etc) it then gives you options for year ranges that designate different models i.e. "2001-2004" is one of these options which covers most B6 chassis cars. In this group you will see 8E0 853 960 (b6 a4), 8E0 853 960 A (b6 s4), 8E0 853 960 C (b6 a4 s-line),

If you select "a4,s4" and then year ranges "2006-2007" you will see 8E0 853 960 E (b7 a4), 8E0 853 960 A (b7 s4), 8E0 853 960 C (b7 a4 s-line),

If you select "rs4" and year ranges "2006-2008" you will only see 8E0 853 960.

[sti2relaxxin]

If you go into Etka in reverse (not via vin# or part#) by selecting car (a4,s4etc) it then gives you options for year ranges that designate different models i.e. "2001-2004" is one of these options which covers most B6 chassis cars. In this group you will see 8E0 853 960 (b6 a4), 8E0 853 960 A (b6 s4), 8E0 853 960 C (b6 a4 s-line),

If you select "a4,s4" and then year ranges "2006-2007" you will see 8E0 853 960 E (b7 a4), 8E0 853 960 A (b7 s4), 8E0 853 960 C (b7 a4 s-line),

If you select "rs4" and year ranges "2006-2008" you will only see 8E0 853 960.

Would you please post a link to “ETKA”? I have never heard of this before.

[Old_skool]

Would you please post a link to “ETKA”? I have never heard of this before.

I used to use this one which had more detailed model info in each chassis category (s4 only, s-line only etc) "https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/" but the part#s are partially obscured now (werent always) but now use "https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/etka/audi/".

Both of these are slightly different to, and not as comprehensive as the 'proper' dealership ETKA parts-catalogue software but the parts categories (and respective numbering) and part# allocation is exactly the same, or at least has been thus far through my personal experience with the multitude of parts i have ordered and/or cross checked subsequently via vin# and the dealership ETKAs. Aside from using the above links, Audi dealership parts departments can look anything up over the phone on their ETKA software, at least the ones do where i am.

Forgot to mention in previous post... my black b6 a4 non s-line with said b7rs4 door-blades is a 2002, and the spare set (silver) was pulled from a 2003 b6 a4 non-s-line

[sti2relaxxin]

I used to use this one which had more detailed model info in each chassis category (s4 only, s-line only etc) "https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/" but the part#s are partially obscured now (werent always) but now use "https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/etka/audi/".

Both of these are slightly different to, and not as comprehensive as the 'proper' dealership ETKA parts-catalogue software but the parts categories (and respective numbering) and part# allocation is exactly the same, or at least has been thus far through my personal experience with the multitude of parts i have ordered and/or cross checked subsequently via vin# and the dealership ETKAs. Aside from using the above links, Audi dealership parts departments can look anything up over the phone on their ETKA software, at least the ones do where i am.

Forgot to mention in previous post... my black b6 a4 non s-line with said b7rs4 door-blades is a 2002, and the spare set (silver) was pulled from a 2003 b6 a4 non-s-line

Thanks for sharing the link. This will be my new "go-to" for part look-ups. I was previously using the 7zap site which up until this point was the best resource in my opinion.

[sti2relaxxin]

FYI- That website does not include the United States in their drop-down box during the checkout process. I learned this when trying to buy an RS4 specific hood strut. I reached out to them, and they said they are working on adding the functionality to ship the US, but don't have an estimated time as to when it will be possible. I am still trying to get more details from them regarding timing and will post any updates if/when I receive them.

Here is the latest response I received in regards to me asking them when they think they'll be able to start shipping to the US. I hope they can get it sorted out at some point, but this doesn't look promising. What is weird to me is their dropdown list includes pretty much every single country on the globe except the US. Strange.

"At this time we cannot tell you anything else than in the previous email.
We currently cannot offer an option to place an order and are working on a solution to enable deliveries to your country of residence.
Binding information on when this will be possible again is not yet available."

[MDIRADS]

Despite multiple attempts to search the inventory of the ETKA site, I am not able to locate the exact door blade options. Is someone able to post the link to each of the 4 blades in a post within this thread?

[sti2relaxxin]

Despite multiple attempts to search the inventory of the ETKA site, I am not able to locate the exact door blade options. Is someone able to post the link to each of the 4 blades in a post within this thread?

These are the part numbers:
8E08539597DL Left front door blade
8E08539607DL Right front door blade
8E08539697DL Left Rear door blade
8E08539707DL Right Rear door blade

Here is a brand new set of both rears and the front left.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29613079057...Bk9SR_yX8vqvYw

Member "Germanstyle" was recently selling brand new door blades, and I think he still has the front right ones available. If so, you have yourself a brand new set that just need to be painted and sealed with caulk.
Here is his "for sale" thread:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...s-new-and-used

[sti2relaxxin]

I used to use this one which had more detailed model info in each chassis category (s4 only, s-line only etc) "https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/" but the part#s are partially obscured now (werent always) but now use "https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/etka/audi/".

Both of these are slightly different to, and not as comprehensive as the 'proper' dealership ETKA parts-catalogue software but the parts categories (and respective numbering) and part# allocation is exactly the same, or at least has been thus far through my personal experience with the multitude of parts i have ordered and/or cross checked subsequently via vin# and the dealership ETKAs. Aside from using the above links, Audi dealership parts departments can look anything up over the phone on their ETKA software, at least the ones do where i am.

Forgot to mention in previous post... my black b6 a4 non s-line with said b7rs4 door-blades is a 2002, and the spare set (silver) was pulled from a 2003 b6 a4 non-s-line

So after trying out the site you linked, I was not happy with all of the ads bogging it down. I found another ETKA site which so far does not have ads. Here it is:
https://webautocats.com/en-us/etka/audi/rs4/

And here is a very useful site with all things VAG related. This is where I found the ETKA site above. This site is a holy grail of resources. The used part vendor list alone is amazing.
https://vaglinks.com/

[Old_skool]

So after trying out the site you linked, I was not happy with all of the ads bogging it down. I found another ETKA site which so far does not have ads. Here it is:
https://webautocats.com/en-us/etka/audi/rs4/

And here is a very useful site with all things VAG related. This is where I found the ETKA site above. This site is a holy grail of resources. The used part vendor list alone is amazing.
https://vaglinks.com/

Thank you for that ETKA link. Seems to contain a similar level of details as the original 7zap. I didn't really mind the ads on the other one, was only a few initial ones to close in general that seemed different, but then again I didn't really have a choice. Unfortunately all of them need to have some sort of ads to stay online... that what happened to 7zap. They used to have everything (part#s) fully visible but with a lot of ads, and then changed to a subscription/members only model.

Hopefully this does not happen to the one you linked as I will also be using this from now on predominantly.