40 Rumbling/creaking noises from front of vehicle while driving - A6, A7, and A8
40 20 00 2048266/7 February 6, 2020. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 18-90 dated
December 13, 2018 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A6, A7, and
A8

2015 - 2018

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

7

-

Revised header (Updated models)
Revised Technical Background (Updated information)
Revised Service (Updated information)
Revised Warranty (Updated information)
Revised Required Parts and Tools (Added table)

6

12/13/2018

Revised Production Solution (Updated dates)

5

10/04/2018

Revised Warranty (Updated Service Number and Labor Operations)

Customer states:
 They can hear rumbling, squeaking, creaking or similar noises from the front of the vehicle while driving on
uneven roads. The noises can possibly be heard and felt in the footwell or behind the dash panel.
Workshop findings:
 The noises can be reproduced.

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© 2020 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 Background
The noises can be generated on the lower left guide in
the area of the hydro-bush. (Figure 1 – Position 7 and
8)

Figure 1. Lower left guide.
Parts such as the coupling rod (Figure 2 – Position 30)
are usually replaced by mistake, presenting no
problems.
The noises from the guide link can be transmitted into
the vehicle interior by the connection of the sub frame
on the body and are noticeable in the foot well.

Figure 2. Coupling rod.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

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© 2020 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.

Service
Replace the hydro-bush on the guide link in pairs. (Figure 1 – Position 8) according to the instructions in Elsa at
Repair Manual, Chassis >> Suspension, Wheels, Steering >> 40 Front Axle >> Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint
>> Guide link bonded rubber bushing, Removing and Installing.
If repeat repairs are necessary and the hydro-bush has already been replaced (pressed out/in), the complete
guide link has to be replaced (Figure 1 – Position 7) according to the instructions in Elsa at Repair Manual,
Chassis>>Suspension, Wheels, Steering>>40 Front Axle>>Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint>>Guide Link,
Removing and Installing.
Tip:
 Please precisely locate the source of the noise with acoustic testers.
 Check the repair history for repeated repairs.

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:

4012

Damage Code:

0020

Labor Operations:

1 Wheel remove + reinstall

4405 1900

See SRT

2 Wheels remove + reinstall

4405 2000

See SRT

1 Lower guide link remove + reinstall

4016 1950

See SRT

2 Lower guide links remove + reinstall

4016 2050

See SRT

Replace guide link mounting

4012 5550

See SRT

Replace 2 guide link mounting

4012 5650

See SRT

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

Diagnostic Time:

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© 2020 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.

Claim Comment:

As per TSB #2048266/7

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.
Part Number

Part Description

Quantity

See ETKA

Hydro-Bush

02

See ETKA

Guide Link (only if Hydro-Bush has been replaced previously)

01 or 02

See ETKA

Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws as needed per the Repair Manual

See ETKA/ELSA

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2048266) are subject to change and/or removal. 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.
©2020 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 4 of 4
© 2020 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.