2021-2023 Audi Models Steering Wheel Vibration TSB

Revision History

This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 2022563/22) was issued on January 20, 2023, and supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 44 number 22-92 dated May 10, 2022. Previous revisions include:

• Revision 22: Current version, with updated labor operations for warranty.
• Revision 21 (February 9, 2021): Revised header, adding model year information.
• Revision 20 (February 9, 2021): Revised header, adding model year information, and updated labor operations for warranty.

Symptoms

Owners of 2021-2023 Audi models may experience an Audi e-tron steering vibration or general vehicle vibration. The common symptoms reported include:

• A vibration felt in the seat, vehicle floor, footwell, pedals, or steering wheel. This condition does not lead to any handling concerns or loss of vehicle control.
• A vibration felt while driving at highway speeds from 55 – 80 mph (88 – 128 km/h).

Technical Background

The vibrations experienced by customers are often a result of harmonic vibrations caused by the radial force variation (RFV) of the tires or an imbalance of the wheel and tire assembly. Tire RFV, also known as tire uniformity, occurs when the stiffness of the tire's internal structure is not uniform. This non-uniformity causes a varied force to be exerted on the axle as the tire rotates and flexes, leading to vibration in the vehicle.

Common causes of wheel-related and tire-related vibrations include:

Vibration Description	Possible Cause
Vibration felt in the steering wheel while at a constant speed	Increased radial forces or imbalance on the front tires
Vibration in the entire vehicle	Increased or critical radial forces or imbalance on the rear tires and possibly on the front tires.

Important Notices

Audi has issued specific instructions and warnings regarding this TSB:

• "This bulletin is not applicable if this vehicle has a Repair Authorization on this topic. If an applicable Repair Authorization is not followed, the claim will not be paid."
• "For all warranty vibration repairs, a completed Tire Data Sheet and Hunter RFV printouts must be retained for warranty claim payment. Failure to do so will result in non-payment of the claim."
• "Flat spots are not a sign of a defect and therefore are not a warrantable condition."
• If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only.
• Tires with higher mileage and/or wear should be inspected to determine the best correction for the issue (repair or replacement). Tire life and condition should be determined before starting any diagnosis or repair for a vibration.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure

The repair procedure outlined in TSB 2022563/22 focuses on accurately measuring and optimizing tire radial force variation and balance to resolve the Audi e-tron steering vibration. The process involves several key steps:

1. Prepare Tires for RFV Measurement

Temporary flat spots can falsify radial force fluctuation readings. To eliminate them, technicians must set all tire pressures according to the owner's manual based on the customer's requirements (normal load vs. full load). The vehicle must then be test driven a distance of at least 12-15 miles at various speeds (up to 62 mph). Some tires may require longer test drives to eliminate these temporary flat spots. Immediately after the test drive, the vehicle is raised on a lift/hoist to check the balance and RFV before the tires cool down again.

2. Measure RFV and Balance

It is crucial to ensure the contact surfaces of the tire balancer flange and wheel are clean. Technicians must use the appropriate centering collet (part number HUN2018451) and a five-finger style clamping plate to mount the wheel on the balancer, not a cone. An incorrect clamp could damage the wheel. Tire pressure must be set to 36 psi (2.5 bar) for all measurements. A CenteringCheck® is performed to ensure the wheel is properly mounted on the VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® system. With the SmartWeight® feature turned on, measure the RFV and balance of the wheel/tire assembly. This feature checks both static (hop) and couple (wobble) vibrations for optimal weight and placement. The "Quick Match" mode must not be used as it does not measure radial force.

3. Optimize RFV and Balance

If a tire needs to be repositioned (match-mounted) on a wheel, adequate lubrication must be used to properly seat the tire. Insufficient lubrication can prevent proper seating, while excessive lubricant may cause the tire to slip, affecting balance and RFV values. Correct the balance and, if necessary, reduce RFV by match-mounting each wheel according to the machine's instructions. The first harmonic vibration should be 18lbs (80N) or less; if it cannot be reduced to this value, the tire should be replaced. After balancing and/or optimizing the RFV, a “check-spin” is performed to ensure consistent balance values. If consistent values cannot be obtained, technicians must check the machine's calibration and the wheel and tire assembly mounting.

4. Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies

Follow the instructions in Elsa at Repair Manual, Chassis >> Wheels and Tire General Information >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment >> Wheels/Tires/Tire Pressure Monitoring Assembly >> Wheel, Changing and Mounting. Install the wheels according to VAS 6230 instructions for the lowest vibration. The wheel/tire assembly with the lowest road force values should be installed closest to the driver in the following order: Left front, Right front, Left rear, and Right rear. Set all tire pressures according to the owner's manual (normal load vs. full load). Finally, test drive the vehicle at the speed where the customer felt the vibrations to verify the condition is repaired.

5. Documentation

A completed Tire Data Sheet (attached to this TSB) must be uploaded to Doc-IT for claim validation.

6. Unresolved Vibration Concerns

If the vibration concern cannot be resolved after following these procedures, a Technical Assistance Center (TAC) ticket should be opened, and the completed Tire Data Sheet uploaded to the TAC case.

Required Tools and Parts

To perform this repair, specific tools and parts are necessary:

• Audi-recommended collets: Part number HUN2018451, ordered through Equipment Solutions.
• VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® System: Used to check balance, Road Force values, and make necessary adjustments.
• Centering collet in conjunction with VAS 6243 model-specific clamping plate (5 finger clamping device): Or a similar device to ensure proper mounting of the wheel and prevent damage.
• Vetronix MTS 4100 NVH Analyzer: Helpful for diagnosing vibration concerns and narrowing down possible sources.

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this procedure are subject to specific conditions:

• Claim Type 910: Applicable for vehicles before delivery.
• Claim Type 110: Applicable for vehicles up to 12 months/12,000 miles.
• If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only.

Service and Damage Codes:

Service Number	Damage Code
4412	0013

Labor Operations and Diagnostic Time:

Labor Operation	Code	Time Units (TU)
Balance and radial force balance all 4 wheels	4412 9499	190
4 wheels, remove + reinstall	4405 2004	See SRT
Diagnostic Time: GFF	No allowance	0
Road test prior to service procedure	0121 0002	10
Road test after service procedure	0121 0004	10

All warranty claims must comply with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. Audi of America, Inc. does not warranty tires; individual tire manufacturers provide their own warranties. Please refer to the Audi Tire Center website for tire warranty coverage and claim submission details.

Further Resources

Additional information can be found in the following resources:

• Elsa: Wheel and Tire Guide >> Diagnosis and Testing.
• Elsa: Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> Wheel and Tire Guide >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment >> Diagnosis and Testing >> Wheel and Tire Vibration >> Tire Flat Spots from Standing.
• Elsa: Chassis >> Wheels and Tire General Information >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment >> Wheels/Tires/Tire Pressure Monitoring Assembly >> Wheel, Changing and Mounting.
• SSP: Noise, Vibration, and Harshness 961403.

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NHTSA ID: 2022563/22