2022-2024 Audi Wheel Alignment and Crooked Steering Wheel TSB

Owners of 2022-2024 Audi vehicles may experience their car pulling to one side or notice that the steering wheel is crooked. This issue is addressed by Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 44 23 98 2056386/8, released on April 18, 2023. This bulletin supersedes an earlier TSB, Group 44 number 21-86, and provides revised procedures for diagnosing and correcting wheel alignment concerns.

Symptoms

Owners typically report one or both of the following conditions:

• "The vehicle pulls to one side."
• "The steering wheel is crooked."

If you notice your Audi e-tron steering wheel crooked or your vehicle drifting, it's important to have it inspected.

Important Considerations for Owners

Audi has specific guidelines regarding wheel alignment issues and warranty coverage:

• Tolerance for Steering Wheel Position: Deviations of ±2° in the steering wheel position are considered within the permitted tolerances for individual toe settings and do not constitute a fault. This means a slight off-center steering wheel may not require a repair.
• Warranty Coverage: If the total toe is within specifications but one of the individual toe settings on the rear axles is not, this is not a valid reason to perform wheel alignment under warranty. Dealers are instructed to only bill for wheel alignment under warranty if specific conditions are met.
• Steering Column Position: When evaluating a customer's complaint that "the steering wheel is not straight or is crooked," technicians must ensure the steering column is in the top position and pushed as far as it will go toward the dash panel. If the steering wheel/steering column is in a different position, any misalignment within the ±2° tolerance may be attributed to this.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

Before performing any wheel alignment, technicians are instructed to:

1. Test drive the vehicle to confirm and reproduce the reported concern.
2. During the test drive, pay close attention to the road camber, as it can significantly influence vehicle handling and cause it to pull in one direction.
3. Do not attempt to assess straight-line travel by removing hands from the steering wheel, as this method is unreliable due to low friction in axle components and steering rack design.
4. Rule out other factors, such as tire-related issues, which can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side during acceleration or braking.

Repair Procedure Summary

Once other factors are excluded, the wheel alignment procedure involves several key steps:

1. Technicians will review the complaint using the Elsa repair manual, specifically the Chassis >> Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment section.
2. Specialized steering wheel scales, such as VAS 6826 and VAS 6828, are used to accurately measure steering wheel position.
3. Ensure the wheel alignment equipment software is up-to-date.
4. An initial measurement is performed, and the individual toe settings of the front wheels are aligned by turning the steering wheel.
5. A photograph of any steering wheel misalignment with the scales attached is taken and saved with the VIN and initial measurements.
6. The steering wheel is then straightened, and individual toe values are measured again.
7. These final measurements are also saved with the VIN.
8. For vehicles at Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) or with under 1,000 miles, all related documents must be uploaded to DOC-IT.

Required Tools or Parts

Technicians will utilize specific tools for this procedure:

• VAS 6458: Steering Wheel scale
• VAS 6826: Steering Wheel Scale
• VAS 61XX: Vehicle Diagnostic Tester

Owner Action

If you are experiencing a Audi e-tron steering wheel crooked or your vehicle pulling to one side, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an authorized Audi service center. Be prepared to describe the symptoms in detail to help technicians diagnose the issue accurately. The warranty coverage for this repair depends on specific conditions, including the vehicle's mileage and age.

Warranty claims for this issue are processed under Service Number 4485 and Damage Code 0011. Claim types include 910 for before delivery and 110 for up to 12 months/12,000 miles. If your vehicle is outside these warranty parameters, the bulletin serves as informational guidance.