Technical Service Bulletin
42 Loud cracking or rubbing noises when steering (cars without Audi magnetic ride suspension)
42 12 16 2021724/4 November 13, 2012. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 12-24 dated
June 6, 2012 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

A3

2006-2011

TT

2008-2011

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

Without Audi magnetic ride

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

4

-

Revised Service (clarified statement)
Revised Technical Background (additional information)

3

6/6/2012

Revised header data (Added model years 2012 and 2013)
Revised Service (Updated Repair Procedure)

2

4/1/2010

Revised header data (Added model year 2011)
Revised Warranty

1

10/19/2009

Original publication

Loud cracking or rubbing noises when turning steering wheel.
Steering is not affected and will operate normally.

Technical Background
Tip: Prior to performing this TSB, check whether the vehicle is equipped with rubber shock absorber stop
and the plastic cap on the shock. Vehicles equipped with the Audi magnetic ride suspension may not be equipped
with these components and this TSB will not be applicable to such vehicles.

Page 1 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
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
 While steering, the shock absorber stop can chafe on the plastic cap of the suspension strut.
 If the vehicle is lifted up, the noise disappears.
 The boot is not properly secured / installed, or is deformed.

Production Solution
Change in production.

Service
Tip: Please ensure this TSB is performed prior to replacing any additional components, such as suspension
strut mountings, springs or steering racks. Failure to properly complete this bulletin may cause claim(s) to be
ineligible for reimbursement.

Page 2 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
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
1. Brush silicon grease G 000 405 A2 on the
contact surface of the plastic cap of the
suspension strut where it makes contact with
the rubber stop (yellow).

Figure 1. The contact surface of the plastic cap of the
suspension strut (A).
2. Attach the boot correctly on the slots of the upper mounting and the bottom of the damper. Slight
deformations of the boot can be pressed out at room temperature.
If you need further technical assistance, contact the Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC).

Warranty
Claim Type:

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

Service Number:

4098

Page 3 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
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
Damage Code:

0020

Labor Operations:

Grease rubber stops

4098 5099

20 TU

Diagnostic Time:

GFF

No allowance

0 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 #2021724/4

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

G 000 405 A2

Silicone grease

1

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

Page 4 of 4
© 2012 Audi of America, Inc.
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.