Technical Service Bulletin
42 Cracking noises from rear of vehicle
42 13 19 2029953/3 September 24, 2013. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 42 number 12-15 dated
October 12, 2012 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A6 / A7

2011 - 2014

All

All

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

3

-

Revised header data (Updated VIN range)
Revised title
Revised Production Solution (Added information)

2

10/12/2012

Revised header data

1

6/28/2012

Original publication

Cracking or clicking noises are heard from the rear of the vehicle in the C pillar area when it is driven over bumps
or rough roads.

Technical Background
The noise comes from the upper shock absorber mounting.

Production Solution
Optimized damper mounting gradually introduced in production.

Service
1. Determine the location of the noise (left rear or right rear) with a test drive.
2. Swap rear shock assemblies (with mounting) from right to left:
• If the noise changes sides, replace the affected shock absorber mounting.
• If the noise does not change sides, continue diagnosis.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 1 of 2

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:

4295

Damage Code:

0020

Labor Operations: 2 shock absorbers remove and reinstall

Diagnostic Time:

4293 2000

130 TU

Shock absorber replace (use this labor operation
for replacement of affected shock absorber
mounting)

4293 5550

20 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

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 #2029953/3

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures
Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Required Parts and Tools
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

4G0513353

Rear shock absorber mounting

1 or 2

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2029953) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 2 of 2

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.