Technical Service Bulletin
48 Creaking or squeaking noises from steering column (sealing boot)
48 16 69 2034351/6 March 18, 2016. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 48 number 15-66 dated July
30, 2015 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

A6, A7

2012 - 2014

All

Not Applicable

Q5

2009 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

6

-

Revised header data (Updated model years and VIN ranges)
Revised Service (Updated repair process)
Revised Warranty (Updated Service Number and TU)

5

7/30/2015

Revised header data (Updated model years and VIN ranges)
Revised Service (Added photo)
Revised Warranty (Updated Service Number and TU)

4

3/23/2015

Revised header data (Updated model years and VIN ranges)
Revised Condition (Updated sound file)
Revised Service (Added step)
Revised Warranty (Added information for steering shaft replacement)
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Added information for steering shaft
replacement; updated part number)

© 2016 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
Customer may report hearing creaking or squeaking noise from the steering
column when steering slowly (the noise can be duplicated while the vehicle is
stationary if the steering wheel is turned slowly). The noise may get louder at
higher temperatures or when the vehicle is driven for a longer period of time.
The noise comes from the sealing sleeve/steering column opening on the
bulkhead. For an example of the noise, listen to the audio file at https://audiexternal.kzoplatform.com:443/swf/player/304 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. QR code for viewing the
video with a QR code reader on
phones and tablets. Alternatively,
the video can be accessed
through computer internet
browsers at the link provided in
this bulletin.

Technical Background
Insufficient lubrication of the intermediate steering shaft in the area of the sealing sleeve.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
1. Check the sealing sleeve for proper installation and fit (Figure
1).
2. To eliminate the noise, loosen the upper bolted connection of
the steering intermediate shaft and the steering column. Pull the
intermediate steering shaft out about 4 in (10 cm) and spray the
special lubricant spray (G052172M2) in the area of the bearing
ring and the black plastic sleeve. Push it in and pull it out a few
times to distribute the spray on the intermediate steering shaft.

Figure 1. Sealing sleeve on the bulkhead.

© 2016 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
Note:
Do not lubricate the u-joints of the steering shaft.
3. Retighten the shaft with a new bolt on the steering column.
4. If the noise persists, replace the intermediate steering shaft.

Warranty
Claim Type:

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

Service Number:

4816

Damage Code:

0020

Labor Operations:

Check and modify sealing boot

4816 4999

20 TU

Shelf under dash panel remove+reinstall

6818 1900

See Elsa

Steering shaft replacement (Only if noise not
eliminated with steps 1 and 2 under Service)

See Elsa

See Elsa

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Road test after service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Diagnostic Time:

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 #2034351/6

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.

© 2016 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

G 052172M2

Special lubricant

0.1

N 10518405

Cylinder head screw with torx head, self-locking M8x30

1

(intermediate shaft to upper steering column bolt)
See ETKA

Steering shaft (Only if noise not eliminated with steps 1 and 2 under Service)

1

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2034351) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2016 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.