2023-2026 Audi Suspension Noise Diagnostic TSB

Noises emanating from a vehicle's suspension system can be challenging to diagnose, as their source may not always be immediately apparent. This Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 40 25 92 2076604/1, issued by Audi, serves as a comprehensive guide for technicians to effectively pinpoint the origin of various Audi suspension noise complaints across 2023-2026 Audi models.

This TSB is not specific to a single complaint but offers general assistance in identifying and resolving suspension-related sounds. It emphasizes a systematic approach to diagnosis, ensuring that all potential factors contributing to the noise are considered.

Symptoms of Suspension Noise

Owners may experience a range of sounds indicating an Audi suspension noise issue. These can include metallic sounds, hollow sounds, creaking, rattling, or clunking noises. The noise might occur consistently, sporadically, only when the vehicle starts, or only during short or long trips.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Process

To accurately diagnose the source of an Audi suspension noise, technicians are advised to follow a detailed process, often beginning with a road test alongside the customer to reliably reproduce the complaint. Key diagnostic questions and steps include:

• Noise Location: Determine if the noise is heard more clearly inside or outside the vehicle, its specific location (front, rear, side), and if its audibility changes based on seating position.
• External Conditions and Driving Situations: Investigate the conditions under which the noise occurs. This includes temperature, precipitation, road surface quality (unevenness), vehicle 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 Characteristics: Characterize the noise's manifestation (e.g., metallic, hollow sound) and frequency (always, sporadically, only at start-up, short/long trips).
• Documentation: Record video or audio files to document the noise for further analysis.
• Correlating Phenomena: Check if the noise coincides with other issues such as a tilted vehicle, worn parts, warning lamps, or event memory entries.
• Lifting Platform Reproduction: Attempt to reproduce the noise on a lifting platform by manually moving components or creating vibrations.
• Electronic Component Activation/Deactivation: Determine if activating an electronic component (e.g., during final control diagnosis or basic setting) reproduces the noise, or if deactivating/disconnecting running gear components (assembly mountings, anti-roll bar) or control units eliminates it.
• Component Interaction: Identify other components that might cause vibrations and check if temporarily decoupling direct or adjacent components eliminates the noise.
• Component Swapping: Observe if the noise changes or moves with a component when parts are swapped.

Required Tools for Diagnosis

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

• PICO tool VAS 611015: Refer to TSB 2070568 / Audi Knowledge Tank for more information on this tool.
• Chassis Ear
• V.A.G 1842

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

Important Warnings for Technicians and Owners

Audi emphasizes that technicians must thoroughly work through these diagnostic recommendations before submitting a technical repair query. A qualified initial analysis performed by the workshop, with all findings from the completed TSB, forms the basis for processing any query. Without this detailed information, the situation cannot be assessed remotely.

Additionally, technicians are instructed to attach photos to the DOC-IT and/or TAC case, clearly showing how and where noise measurements were taken with the specified tools.

This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi Warranty. This means that while it provides crucial diagnostic guidance, the bulletin itself does not authorize warranty claims for the diagnostic process or subsequent repairs unless otherwise specified by Audi's warranty policies for the specific repair.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing Audi suspension noise in your 2023-2026 Audi, it is important to provide your service technician with as much detail as possible. Note when the noise occurs, its characteristics (e.g., metallic, hollow, creaking), its location, and any specific driving conditions that trigger it. This information will greatly assist the technician in utilizing the diagnostic steps outlined in TSB 40 25 92 2076604/1 to accurately identify and resolve the issue.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11013718