2023-2026 Audi Suspension Noises Diagnosis TSB 2076604/1

Owners of 2023-2026 Audi vehicles, including the 2023 Audi e-tron, may occasionally experience various noises emanating from the suspension system. To assist technicians in accurately identifying and resolving these concerns, Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2076604/1. This TSB serves as a general diagnostic aid, providing a structured approach to locating and understanding the root causes of suspension noises, rather than addressing a specific known complaint.

Understanding Suspension Noises

Suspension noises can manifest in many forms, such as squeaks, clunks, rattles, or creaks, and can stem from a variety of components within the suspension system. Because the causes are diverse, a systematic diagnostic process is essential. This TSB guides technicians through a series of questions and steps to narrow down the potential sources of the 2023 Audi e-tron suspension noises.

Initial Diagnostic Steps

The diagnostic process for 2023 Audi e-tron suspension noises typically begins with a thorough evaluation to reproduce and characterize the complaint. Technicians are advised to:

• Perform a road test with the customer: This is crucial to experience the noise under conditions where it normally occurs and to confirm the customer's description.
• Identify the noise area: Determine if the noise is coming from the front end, rear end, or a specific side of the vehicle.

Key Questions for Diagnosis

To precisely pinpoint the source of suspension noises, the TSB outlines several key questions that technicians should consider and investigate:

Noise Characteristics and Location

• Can the noise be heard more clearly inside the vehicle or from the outside as the vehicle passes? This helps determine if the noise is transmitted through the chassis or is more external.
• Is the noise louder at a particular location within the vehicle, or does it appear to be coming from a specific area while driving?
• Is the seating position of the driver or passengers relevant to how the noise is perceived?

External Conditions and Driving Situations

• Under what external conditions does the noise occur? This includes factors like temperature, precipitation, and road surface properties (e.g., unevenness).
• In which driving situations does the noise manifest? Consider speed, acceleration, overrun, steering wheel angle, driving direction (forwards/backwards), selected gear, engine speed range, operation of pedals or switches, drive select mode, and the vehicle's load condition.

Noise Manifestation and Frequency

• How does the noise manifest itself? Is there a typical characterization, such as a metallic sound, a hollow sound, or another subjective description?
• How often does the noise occur? Is it constant, sporadic, or only present when the vehicle is first started, or only during short or long trips?

Related Phenomena and Reproducibility

• Does the complaint coincide with any other phenomena that could logically be connected to the noise? This might include a tilted vehicle, worn parts, warning lamps, or entries in the event memory.
• Can the noise be reproduced on a lifting platform? Can the noise be caused by manually moving a component or creating vibrations on it? When attempting this, it is helpful to have one person listen where the noise is best heard while another creates the vibrations.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools and Techniques

To accurately locate the source of the noise, Audi recommends using specialized acoustic measuring devices and noise location tools. These include:

• PICO tool VAS 611015: This advanced tool is specifically designed for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) diagnosis. Further information can be found in TSB 2070568, referenced in the Audi Knowledge Tank.
• Chassis Ear: A common tool used to amplify and isolate noises from various parts of the chassis.
• V.A.G 1842: Another specialized tool for acoustic diagnosis.

When using these tools, technicians should perform measurements at various points on the vehicle (different sides, inner/outer sections) and move towards the perceived source of the noise. It is critical to ensure that the tools themselves do not introduce additional noises. The actual source of the noise should be confirmed with multiple measurements, both with the vehicle stationary and during a road test.

Important Considerations for Repair

When replacing components to address 2023 Audi e-tron suspension noises, the TSB advises a cautious approach:

• Prioritize cost-effective solutions: The least expensive component should be considered for replacement first.
• Avoid unnecessary replacements: No components should be replaced without reasonable suspicion that they are the cause of the noise.

Technicians must work through these recommendations thoroughly before submitting a technical repair query. A qualified initial analysis, supported by the completed TSB with all findings, is the basis for processing any query. Photos showing how and where noise measurements were taken should also be attached to DOC-IT and/or TAC cases.

Important Warnings

It is important for owners to note that this TSB is informational only and is not applicable to any Audi Warranty. This means that diagnostic and repair costs related to suspension noises, unless covered by a separate warranty or service contract, may be the owner's responsibility.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11013718, TSB 2076604/1, January 15, 2025