Technical Service Bulletin
48 Creaking or squeaking noises from steering column (sealing boot)
48 15 66 2034351/5 July 30, 2015. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 48 number 15-65 dated March
23, 2015 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A4

2009 - 2013

All

Not Applicable

A4

2014

A5

2010 - 2013

All

Not Applicable

A5

2014

A000001 - A002235

Not Applicable

A5 Cabriolet

2010 - 2013

All

Not Applicable

A5 Cabriolet

2010 - 2013

N000001 - N000700

Not Applicable

Q5

2009 - 2014

All

Not Applicable

Q5

2015

A000001 – A127524

Not Applicable

A6

2012 - 2014

All

Not Applicable

A6

2014

000001 - 108214

Not Applicable

A7

2012 - 2013

All

Not Applicable

A7

2014

000001 - 108214

Not Applicable

N000001 - N004046
A000001 - A001135

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

5

-

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)

© 2015 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
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Added information for steering shaft
replacement; updated part number)
3

01/29/2014

Revised header data (Model code correction)
Revised Service (Added note)

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.

© 2015 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
Service
1. Check the correct fit of the sealing sleeve (Figure 1 and
Figure 2).

Figure 1. B8 sealing sleeve on the bulkhead.

Figure 2. C7 sealing sleeve on the bulkhead.
2. Spray the intermediate steering shaft in the area of the bearing ring with special lubricant spray (G 052172A2).
While spraying, turn the steering wheel side-to-side and adjust the steering column axially and vertically until
the noise disappears.
Note: Do not lubricate the u-joints of the steering shaft.
3. If the noise persists, replace the intermediate steering shaft.

© 2015 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
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

30 TU

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 #2034351/5

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 052172M2

Special lubricant

0.1

See ETKA

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

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.

© 2015 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.