40 Creaking/squeaking noises from front end on uneven roads
40 18 80 2043424/6 May 31, 2018. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 17-76 dated
September 29, 2017 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A3

2015 - 2019

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

6

-

Revised header data (Added model year)

5

09/29/2017

Revised Warranty (Added Labor Operations)

4

07/12/2017

Revised header data (Added model year)

Customer states:
 Creaking/squeaking noises are heard from the left front or right front area of the vehicle when it is driven on
uneven roads.

Technical Background
Note:
Try to duplicate this condition exactly. If you cannot, do not perform this TSB.

Page 1 of 6
© 2018 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.

Overview of the lower control arm and bushing
(Figure 1).

Figure 1. Lower control arm and bushing.

Page 2 of 6
© 2018 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.

The rear bonded rubber bushings of the front lower
control arms have a kidney-shaped slits (Figure 2).
When the vehicle is driven on uneven roads, areas
A and B (Figure 2) may come in contact, creating
the creaking/squeaking noise.

Figure 2. Kidney-shaped slits (yellow arrows) of the rear
bonded rubber bushings.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
1. Remove both front lower control arms. Follow instructions in ElsaPro at Repair Manual, Chassis >>
Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> Front Suspension >> Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint >> Lower Control
Arm, Removing and Installing.

Page 3 of 6
© 2018 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.

2. Evenly grease the kidney-shaped slits of the
bonded rubber bushing (Figure 3, the area
shown red) from above with 0.1g of lithium
grease (part number G 052 150 A2). Use a paint
brush to apply the grease.
Note:
The lithium grease must only be applied to the
areas shown in red (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Lithium grease is applied on the red highlighted
area only.
3. Reinstall all components according to Elsa.

Warranty
Claim Type:

 110 up to 48 Months/50,000 Miles.
 G10 for CPO Covered Vehicles – Verify Owner.
 If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is informational
only.

Service Number:

4020

Damage Code:

0020

Page 4 of 6
© 2018 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.

Labor Operations:

All Models:
Front wheel track adjusted

4488 1550

20 TU

Front wheel camber adjusted

4489 1550

30 TU

Rear wheel track adjusted

4493 1550

20 TU

Rear wheel camber adjusted

4494 1550

20 TU

Vehicle front + rear measured

4495 0350

70 TU

Both lower control arms remove + reinstall

4017 2001

250 TU

Grease the bonded rubber bushings

4020 4199

10 TU

Both lower control arms remove + reinstall

4017 2000

140 TU

Grease the bonded rubber bushings

4020 4199

10 TU

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

A3 Sedan and A3 Sportback:

A3 Cabriolet:

Diagnostic Time:

Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2043424/6

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.

Required Parts and Tools
Always check with your Parts Department and/or ETKA for the latest information and parts bulletins. Please
check the Repair Manual for fasteners, bolts, nuts, and screws that require replacement during the repair.
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

G 052150A2

Lithium grease

0.1

See ETKA

One-time use hardware according to Elsa

As needed

Page 5 of 6
© 2018 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.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2043424) are subject to change and/or removal.
©2018 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.

Page 6 of 6
© 2018 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.