2021-2023 Audi Quattro Ultra: Vibrations and Binding in Turns TSB 2059057/5

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2059057/5 to address customer concerns regarding vibrations or binding sensations in various 2021-2023 Audi models equipped with Quattro Ultra all-wheel drive. This bulletin, superseding Group 39 number 21-43 dated July 16, 2021, provides detailed diagnostic and repair procedures for this specific condition.

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may notice distinct symptoms related to the drivetrain, particularly during specific driving maneuvers. These can include:

• Noises emanating from the drivetrain when accelerating quickly from a stop with the wheels turned.
• Vibrations, humming, droning, or a rubbing sensation that can be heard and felt in the vehicle interior and/or rear seats when the steering wheel is fully turned.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

When diagnosing this issue, technicians will first attempt to reproduce the customer's reported symptoms. The noise or sensation is typically reproducible and can be traced to the all-wheel-drive clutch, propeller shaft, or rear differential.

It is important to note that this condition does not typically trigger diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). No DTCs are expected to be stored in the transmission control module (TCM), J217 (address word 002), or the all-wheel-drive control module, J492 (address word 0022). Audi provides a supporting audio/video example for technicians to help identify the specific noise, available via a link provided in the TSB.

Technical Background

The root cause of these Audi Quattro Ultra vibrations and binding sensations lies in the design of the Quattro Ultra system. When making very tight turns, there can be differing speeds between the front axle differential and the rear final drive. This speed difference, combined with a closed four-wheel-drive clutch 1, can lead to the observed humming, drumming, vibrations, or binding.

Repair Procedure Summary

Audi TSB 2059057/5 outlines a two-stage repair process. The initial steps focus on the all-wheel-drive clutch fluid, while a more extensive repair involving clutch replacement is reserved for persistent cases.

1. Initial Assessment: Technicians will first check the vehicle's repair history to see if this TSB has been previously performed. If so, and the vehicle has been driven at least 60 miles since the repair, further steps may be skipped if the issue is resolved.
2. Transmission Warm-up: The S-Tronic or manual transmission must be brought to its operating temperature.
3. Diagnostic Data Collection: Using ODIS Guided Functions, technicians will access the All-Wheel Drive Electronics (address 0022) control module, navigate to