Technical Service Bulletin

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

Condition
Applicable Vehicles
Model(s)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range
From

VIN Range To

Atlas

2020 – 2021

All

All

CA_LC503305

CA_MC533373

Atlas Cross
Sport

2020

All

All

CA_LC208517

CA_LC231396

Revision Table
Instance Number

Published Date

Version Number

Reason For Update

2061309/1

11/23/20

48-20-01

Original publication.

Customer reports hearing a creaking noise in the front end when turning or maneuvering.
Tip:
If present, the creaking noise may be duplicated by turning the steering wheel slowly while the vehicle is
in park on a flat paved surface without the brakes applied with the A/C off and the windows closed. For
example, watch and listen to the attached video clip.
Note:
If the creaking noise cannot be duplicated, this bulletin does not apply.

Technical Background
Noise resulting from tension between the servo motor unit and the steering gear housing.

Production Solution
Optimization of steering gear assembly process since CW39/20.

Service
If the noise concern is duplicated and found to be coming from the steering gear, proceed as follows:
Tip:
Note that the steering gear does not need to be removed from the subframe!

Page 1 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

 Disconnect the 12V vehicle battery according to the repair manual. See repair manual: Electrical
Equipment; Rep. Gr.27.
 If equipped, disconnect the connector for the Oil Level Thermal Sensor -G266-.
 Remove the clips -1 and 2- for the wiring harness -3- from the subframe and the steering gear (Figure
1).

Figure 1
 Secure and lower the subframe according to the repair manual. See repair manual: Front Suspension;
Rep. Gr.40.
Note:
While the universal joint is separated from the steering gear:
 Do not connect the 12V vehicle battery.
 Do not switch on the ignition.
 Do not turn the steering gear input shaft.
 Do not turn the front wheels.
 Do not turn the steering column shaft.
Failure to observe these points could cause irreparable damage!

Page 2 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

 Remove the T30 Torx screws holding the heat shield in place and remove it from the steering gear.
 Note the position of the servo motor unit within the steering gear housing.
 Following the sequence 1, 2, and 3 shown (Figure 2) loosen the three T40 Torx screws about half a
turn to relieve tension in the servo motor unit.

Figure 2
 Grasp the servo motor unit by hand (no tools) and rotate it a few times back and forth slightly in the
steering gear housing without exerting force on the flange (Figure 3).

Figure 3
 Return the servo motor unit to its starting position.
 Tighten the three T40 Torx screws in sequence 1, 2 and 3 (Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6) with a torque of 10
Nm.
Page 3 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

 Retighten the three T40 Torx screws in sequence 1, 2 and 3 (Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6) with a turning
angle of 65°.
 Verify the final torque of the three T40 Torx screws in sequence 1, 2, and 3 (Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6)
using a torque value of 25 Nm while checking that no more than 10° of additional turn is applied.
Note:
If a torque of 25 Nm is not reached with no more than 10° of additional turn (max. total turn 75°), then the
steering gear must be replaced! Worn or damaged threads are non-repairable.

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6
 Install the heat shield to the steering gear and tighten the T30 Torx screws with a torque of 8 Nm.
 Replace the steering gear seal -1- (Figure 7) according to the repair manual.
 Slowly lift and secure the subframe according to the repair manual. See repair manual: Front
Suspension; Rep. Gr.40
Page 4 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

Note:
After connecting the steering gear to the universal joint verify that the seal -1- (Figure 7) is flush on the
surface of the steering gear to ensure a good seal against water ingress or noise.

Figure 7
 Reattach the clips -1 and 2- for the wiring harness -3- to the subframe and the steering gear (Figure
1).
 If equipped, reconnect the connector for the Oil Level Thermal Sensor -G266-.
 Reconnect the 12V vehicle battery according to the repair manual. See repair manual: Electrical
Equipment; Rep. Gr.27
 Perform the basic settings of the steering angle sender -G85- using the ODIS tester.
 Check the alignment according to the repair manual and perform alignment if necessary. See repair
manual: Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment; Rep. Gr.44
 Perform a test drive to verify the creaking noise has been eliminated.

Page 5 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

Warranty
To determine if this procedure is covered under Warranty, always refer to the Warranty Policies
and Procedures Manual 1)
Model(s)

Year(s)

Eng.
Code(s)

Trans.
Code(s)

VIN Range From

VIN Range To

Atlas

2020 – 2021

All

All

CA_LC503305

CA_MC533373

Atlas Cross
Sport

2020

All

All

CA_LC208517

CA_LC231396

SAGA Coding
Claim Type:

Use applicable Claim Type 1)

Service Number:

Damage

4835
Parts Manufacturer

Code

HST

Damage Location (Depends
on Service No.)

--

--

0020

Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport

Labor Operation 3): Charge Battery

27068950 = 10 TU

Labor Operation 3): Noise Dampening Pan
Removed & Reinstalled

10821900 = 50 TU

Labor Operation 3): Subframe Loosened &
Fastened

40070950 = 120 TU

Labor Operation 3): Actual Time – Repair Steering
Gear

48351999 = 50 TU (Max.)

WWO 2)

Labor Operation 3): Vehicle Front & Rear Measured 44950300 = 100 TU
Causal Part: Select Labor Operation

48351999
Diagnostic Time 4)

GFF Time expenditure

01500000 = Actual GFF
print out

YES

Page 6 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

01210002 = 10 TU

Road Test

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

YES

01210004 = 10 TU
01320000 = 00 TU max.

Technical Diagnosis

NO

Claim Comment: Input “As per Technical Bulletin 2061309 in comment section of Warranty Claim.
1)

Vehicle may be outside any Warranty in which case this Technical Bulletin is informational only.

2)

Code per warranty vendor code policy.

3)

Labor Time Units (TUs) are subject to change with ELSA updates.

4)

Documentation required per Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

Required Parts and Tools
Part No:

Part Description

Quantity

N 0150816

Shouldered hex nut (lower sway
bar connecting link)

2

N 10785401

Hexagon flange screw (subframe)

6

N 10784801

Hexagon flange screw (pendulum
support)

1

N 10513102

Bolt, hex-head with shoulder
(pendulum support)

1

N 91231201

Screw (rear mount)

4

N 01033513

Screw, hex-head (steering
column universal joint)

1

5Q0423187F

Steering gear seal

1

Part numbers are accurate at time of publication. Always refer to ETKA for the latest part information.

Page 7 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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

48-20-01 - Electromechanical Power Steering - Creaking Noise when
Turning

Transaction
No:

2061309/1

Release date:

11/23/2020

Tool Description

Tool No:

Midtronics Battery Tester/Maintainer

GRX3000VAS
or
MTRMSP0702

VAS Diagnostic Tool

VAS 6150/X & VAS 6160/X with
ODIS Service with current online updates

Assembly Tool, Sub-frame Alignment

-T10486A-

Torque Wrench 40-200 Nm

-VAG1332A- (or equivalent)

Torque Wrench 6-50 Nm

-VAG1331A- (or equivalent)

Engine and Gearbox Jack

-VAS6931- or -VAG1383A-

Additional Information
All part and service references provided in this Technical Bulletin are subject to change and/or removal.
Always check with your Parts Dept. and Repair Manuals for the latest information.

Page 8 of 8
© 2020 Volkswagen Group 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 Volkswagen Group 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.