2021-2024 Audi Steering Wheel Crooked / Vehicle Pulls TSB

Owners of 2021-2024 Audi vehicles may experience issues where the Audi e-tron steering wheel crooked or the vehicle consistently pulls to one side. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 44 23 99 2056386/9, issued on April 19, 2023, outlines a revised service procedure for addressing these wheel alignment concerns.

This bulletin supersedes a previous TSB, Group 44 number 23-98, dated April 18, 2023, indicating an updated approach to these common complaints.

Symptoms

Customers typically report the following conditions:

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

Important Warnings and Technical Background

Audi emphasizes that not all perceived alignment issues constitute a fault eligible for warranty repair. Deviations of up to ±2° in the steering wheel position are considered within the permitted tolerances for individual toe settings and do not indicate a fault.

When assessing a customer's complaint about an Audi e-tron steering wheel crooked or not straight, technicians must ensure the steering column is in its top position and pushed as far as possible toward the dash panel. If the steering wheel or steering column is in a different position, this could account for a misalignment within the ±2° tolerance.

Crucially, if the total toe measurement is within specifications but an individual toe setting on the rear axle is not, this is not a valid reason to perform wheel alignment under warranty. Additionally, if the vehicle pulls to one side during acceleration or braking, this could also be caused by the tires, not necessarily an alignment issue.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure Summary

Before performing any wheel alignment, technicians are instructed to follow a comprehensive diagnostic process:

1. Test Drive: Conduct a test drive to reproduce the customer's reported concern. During this test, pay close attention to the effect of road camber on vehicle handling, as vehicles naturally tend to follow it.
2. Steering Wheel Handling: Always hold the steering wheel with both hands during the test drive. Do not attempt to assess straight-line travel by removing hands from the steering wheel, as axle component friction and steering rack design can affect this assessment.
3. Complaint Review: Review the complaint using the Elsa Repair Manual, specifically the sections for Chassis >> Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment.
4. Special Tools: Utilize steering wheel scales, specifically VAS 6826 and VAS 6458, for accurate measurements.
5. Software Update: Ensure that the wheel alignment equipment's software is up-to-date.
6. Exclusion of Other Factors: Perform a wheel alignment only after all other potential contributing factors have been excluded.
7. Initial Measurement: Conduct an initial measurement to align the individual toe settings of the front wheels by turning the steering wheel.
8. Documentation (Initial): Take a photo of any steering wheel misalignment with the scales attached. Save these initial measurements with a clear name (e.g., VIN + Initial measurements).
9. Straighten Steering Wheel: Straighten the steering wheel and then measure the individual toe values.
10. Documentation (Final): Save these final measurements with a clear name (e.g., VIN + Final measurements).
11. Upload Documents: For vehicles undergoing Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) or with less than 1,000 miles, upload all related documents to DOC-IT.

Required Tools

Technicians will need specific tools to perform the diagnostic and repair procedures outlined in this TSB:

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

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this issue are processed under specific conditions:

• Claim Type 910: For vehicles before delivery.
• Claim Type 110: For vehicles up to 12 months or 12,000 miles.
• If the vehicle is outside of any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only.

Service Number: 4485 Damage Code: 0011

Labor Operations:

• Use applicable Standard Repair Times (SRTs) for wheel alignment and predecessors as needed.
• Diagnostic Time: GFF 0150 0000
• Road Test (prior to service): 0121 0002 (10 Time Units)
• Road Test (after service): 0121 0004 (10 Time Units)

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review by Audi Warranty.

Source: NHTSA ID 10235354