2015-2026 Audi Steering Wheel Vibration TSB 2022563/23

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2022563/23 to address customer reports of steering wheel shimmy, vibration, and oscillation in various 2015-2026 Audi models. This bulletin supersedes TSB 23-97, dated January 20, 2023, and provides updated information regarding warranty labor operations and added model years.

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may experience the following:

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

If you notice an Audi e-tron steering wheel vibration, it's important to have it diagnosed by a qualified technician.

Important Warnings for Owners and Technicians

• Warranty Claims: 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.
• Repair Authorization: This bulletin is not applicable if the vehicle has a Repair Authorization on this topic. If an applicable Repair Authorization is not followed, the claim will not be paid.
• Tire Warranty: Audi of America, Inc. does not warranty tires originally installed or sold as a replacement. Individual tire manufacturers provide their own warranties.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

The TSB emphasizes that temporary flat spots on tires can falsify radial force fluctuation measurements. These flat spots develop after a warm tire cools down following a period of rest. To ensure accurate diagnosis of an Audi e-tron steering wheel vibration, technicians must eliminate temporary flat spots before checking balance and radial force variation (RFV).

To eliminate temporary flat spots, technicians should:

• Set all tire pressures according to the owner's manual, based on normal or full load requirements.
• Test drive the vehicle for 12-15 miles at various speeds (up to 62 mph). Some tires may require longer test drives.
• Immediately after the test drive, raise the vehicle on a lift to check balance and RFV before the tires cool down.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair procedure outlined in the TSB involves four main steps to address the steering wheel vibration:

1. Prepare Tires for RFV Measurement: This involves ensuring tire pressures are correct and eliminating any temporary flat spots through a test drive.
2. Measure RFV and Balance: Technicians must ensure the tire balancer flange and wheel contact surfaces are clean. It is mandatory to use the appropriate centering collet (Figure 2, Image A) and a five-finger style clamping plate (Figure 3, Image A) to mount the wheel. Incorrect clamping methods (Figure 2, Image B; Figure 3, Image C) can damage the wheel. Tire pressure must be set to 36 psi (2.5 bar) for all measurements. A CenteringCheck® should be performed using the VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® system. The SmartWeight® feature should be used to measure RFV and balance, as it checks both static (hop) and couple (wobble) vibrations. The "Quick Match" mode should not be used as it does not measure radial force.
3. Optimize RFV and Balance: If a tire needs to be match-mounted on a wheel, adequate lubrication is crucial for proper seating. Excessive lubricant can cause the tire to slip. The balance should be corrected, and RFV reduced to 18 lbs (80 N) or less for the first harmonic vibration. If the source of the vibration cannot be reduced to this level, the tire should be replaced. After balancing and RFV optimization, a "check-spin" is performed to ensure consistent balance values. If values are inconsistent, the machine's calibration and wheel/tire assembly mounting should be checked.
4. Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies: Wheels should be installed according to VAS 6230 instructions, with the wheel/tire assembly having the lowest road force value installed closest to the driver (left front). The order for installation is: lowest road force value (left front), second-lowest (right front), third-lowest (left rear), and highest (right rear). Tire pressures are reset to owner's manual specifications, and a final test drive is conducted to verify the repair.

Required Tools or Parts

Technicians will need specific tools to perform the diagnosis and repair:

• VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® System: Used to check balance and RFV values.
• VAS 6243 model-specific clamping plate (5-finger clamping device): Used in conjunction with a centering collet for proper wheel mounting.
• Audi-recommended collets (part number HUN2018451): Can be ordered through Equipment Solutions.
• Vetronix MTS 4100 NVH Analyzer: Helpful for diagnosing vibration concerns and narrowing down possible sources.

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this issue can be submitted under the following claim types:

• 910: Before vehicle delivery.
• 110: Up to 12 Months/12,000 Miles.
• If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational only.

Claims must be submitted in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual. The claim comment should reference "As per TSB 2022563/23". The diagnostic time for a road test prior to service is 10 TU (0121 0002), and a road test after service is also 10 TU (0121 0004).

Additional Information

Further details and resources can be found in Elsa at:

• Repair Manual, Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> Wheel and Tire Guide >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment >> Diagnosis and Testing >> Wheel and Tire Vibration >> Tire Flat Spots from Standing.
• Repair Manual, 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.

NHTSA ID: 10242940