Technical Service Bulletin
40 Rattling or knocking noise from front end when driving over bumps
40 14 42 2035854/3 July 8, 2014. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 14-39 dated February
13, 2014 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A4

2009 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

A5

2008 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

A5 Cabriolet

2010 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

Q5

2009 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

3

-

Revised header data (Added model years)
Revised Warranty (Corrected labor operation)

2

2/13/2014

Revised Condition (Added Note)
Revised Service (Added instructions for both possible ball joint sizes)

1

12/3/2013

Initial publication

• A rattling or knocking noise is heard when the car is driven over bumps or uneven road surfaces. This noise is
heard after the car has been driven for a while and is warmed up, and when the temperature outside is warm.
• This condition can be duplicated if the brakes are applied while the car is being driven over bumpy roads.
• This condition is a comfort concern. Vehicle handling is not affected.
Note: This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with 75mm hydro-bushings. This bulletin does not apply to
vehicles equipped with 65mm bushings.

Technical Background
High ambient temperatures at the hydraulic guide links cause the noise.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 1 of 4

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Service
1. Before proceeding, confirm that the noise is coming from the hydraulic guide links and not from other
suspension components on the vehicle (such as worn or damaged bushings).
Additionally, ensure that the vehicle is equipped with 75mm bushings. Review the repair history of the vehicle
and ETKA to determine which bushings are present.
2. Check the size of the ball joints. In 2010, ball joint sizes were changed from M12 to M14.
• If the vehicle was produced with M14 ball joints:
Replace both left and right lower guide links (Figure 1) according
to the instructions in Elsa >> Repair Manual >> Chassis >>
Suspension, Wheel, Steering >> Front Suspension >> Removal
and Installation >> Guide Link.

Figure 1. Lower guide link (1).
• If the vehicle was produced with M12 ball joints:
Replacement of the complete guide link is not possible. Only the
bushings should be replaced. Remove the guide links and
replace the left and right bushings.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 2 of 4

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Warranty
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin
is informational only.

Service Number:

4016

Damage Code:

0020

Labor Operations: 2 Wheels remove + install

4405 2000

20 TU

4016 2050

110 TU

4016 2050

90 TU

4012 5550

30 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

2 Lower guide links remove + install
(For A4/A5/Q5)
2 Lower guide links remove + install
(For A5 Cabriolet)
Guide link mounting replace
(For vehicles with M12 ball joints only)

Technical diagnosis at dealer’s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance details)
Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2035854/3

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 3 of 4

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Required Parts and Tools
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

4G0407693J

Wishbone link (left front) (M14)

1

4G0407694J

Wishbone link (right front) (M14)

1

4G0407183A

Hydro-mounting (2 pieces)

1

Tool Number

Tool Description

Quantity

V.A.G 1332

Torque wrench 40-200 Nm

1

V.A.G 1332/7

Ring spanner insert, AF 21mm

1

V.A.G 1383 A

Engine-transmission jack

1

T10149

Wheel hub support

1

T40042

Ball joint puller

1

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2035854) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2014 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 4 of 4

All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.