2022-2023 Audi Steering Wheel Vibration TSB

Audi has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 44 22 87 2022563/20 to address customer complaints of steering wheel shimmy, vibration, and oscillation in various 2022-2023 Audi models. This bulletin, which supersedes TSB Group 44 number 21-79 dated February 9, 2021, provides detailed diagnostic and repair procedures for these concerns.

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles, including the Audi e-tron, may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

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

Technical Background

The vibrations felt by customers are typically a result of harmonic vibrations. These can be caused by the radial force variation (RFV) of the tires or an imbalance within the wheel and tire assembly. Radial force variation, also known as tire uniformity, occurs when the tire's stiffness is not uniform, creating varied forces on the axle as the tire rotates.

Diagnosis and Repair Procedure Summary

Addressing steering wheel vibration, including the Audi e-tron steering vibration, involves a multi-step process focused on tire and wheel assessment and correction:

1. Prepare Tires for RFV Measurement: To ensure accurate measurements, all tire pressures must be set to 36 psi (2.5 bar) according to the owner's manual. Temporary flat spots, which can develop after a vehicle has been stationary for a few hours, must be eliminated by test driving the vehicle for at least 12-15 miles at various speeds (up to 62 mph).
2. Measure RFV and Balance: The wheels must be mounted correctly on a VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® System using an appropriate centering collet and five-finger style clamping plate. A CenteringCheck® should be performed to confirm proper mounting. The SmartWeight® feature of the machine should be used to measure RFV and balance, as it checks both static (hop) and couple (wobble) vibrations. It is crucial to "Do not use the “Quick Match” mode since it does not measure radial force."
3. Optimize RFV and Balance: If necessary, tires may need to be repositioned (match-mounted) on the wheel. Adequate lubrication must be used to properly seat the tire, as "Not enough lubricant can prevent the tire from properly seating on the wheel." Conversely, "Excessive lubricant may cause the tire to slip on the wheel, impacting the balance, and RFV values." The balance should be corrected, and RFV reduced to 18 lbs (80N) or less for the first harmonic vibration. If the RFV cannot be reduced to this specification, the tire should be replaced. After optimization, a "check-spin" confirms consistent balance values.
4. Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies: Wheels should be reinstalled following instructions in Elsa, specifically installing the wheel/tire assembly with the lowest road force values closest to the driver.
5. Documentation: A completed Tire Data Sheet must be uploaded to Doc-IT for warranty claim validation.
6. Unresolved Vibration: If the vibration concern cannot be resolved, a TAC ticket should be opened, advising TAC that the Tire Data Sheet has been uploaded to the TAC case.

Important Warnings

Owners and technicians should be aware of the following critical information:

• "This bulletin is not applicable if this vehicle has a Repair Authorization on this topic. If an applicable Repair Authorization is not followed, the claim will not be paid."
• "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."
• "Flat spots are not a sign of a defect and therefore are not a warrantable condition."
• "Audi of America, Inc. does not warranty tires originally installed or sold as a replacement for use on Audi vehicles. Individual tire manufacturers provide all the underlying tire warranties."

Required Tools and Parts

Technicians will need specific equipment to perform the diagnostic and repair procedures:

• VAS 6230/Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® System: Used for checking balance, Road Force values, and making necessary adjustments.
• Centering Collet and VAS 6243 Model-Specific Clamping Plate: Audi-recommended collets (part number HUN2018451) and a five-finger clamping device are essential for proper wheel mounting and to prevent damage.
• Vetronix MTS 4100 NVH Analyzer: This tool is helpful for diagnosing vibration concerns and narrowing down possible sources of vibration.

Warranty Information

This TSB outlines specific warranty claim types and labor operations:

• Claim Type: 110 pp to 48 Months/50,000 Miles, or G10 for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles. If the vehicle is outside warranty, this bulletin is for informational purposes only.
• Service Number: 4412
• Damage Code: 0013
• Labor Operations:
  • Balance and radial force balance all 4 wheels (4412 9999, 190 TU). This includes additional time for an extended road test prior to the service procedure.
  • 4 wheels, remove + reinstall (4405 2004).
  • Road test prior to service procedure (0121 0002, 10 TU).
  • Road test after service procedure (0121 0004, 10 TU).
• Claim Comment: Claims should include "As per TSB 2022563/2".

All warranty claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual and are subject to review by Audi Warranty. For any Audi e-tron steering vibration issues, consult your authorized Audi dealer.

Revision History

This TSB has undergone several revisions:

• Revision 20 (January 31, 2022): Revised header, added model year.
• Revision 19 (February 9, 2021): Revised header, added model year, and updated labor operations for warranty.
• Revision 18 (November 12, 2019): Revised warranty and updated labor operations.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 10207207