40 Rumbling/creaking noises from front of the vehicle when driving - Q7, Q8, A8, and Audi e-tron quattro
40 21 27 2058489/3 August 17, 2021. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 20-03 dated
March 12, 2020 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

Q7

2017 - 2019

All

Not Applicable

A8, Q8

2019

All

Not Applicable

Q7

2020

000001 - 008523

Not Applicable

Q8

2020

000001 - 011971

Not Applicable

A8

2020

000001 - 008304

Not Applicable

Audi e-tron
quattro,
Audi e-tron
Sportback

2020

000001 - 016781

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

3

-

Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operations)

2

03/12/2020

Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operations)

1

02/06/2020

Initial publication

Customer states:
 They can hear rumbling, squeaking, creaking, or similar noises from the front end when 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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© 2021 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. Hydro-bush.
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 subframe on the body and
are noticeable in the footwell.

Figure 2. Coupling rod.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

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© 2021 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
1. 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.
2. Before installation, ensure that the new parts of the hydrobush have a parts version of 03S or higher (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Hydro-bush parts number.
3. 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) in Elsa at Repair Manual, Chassis >> Suspension,
Wheels, Steering >> 40 Front Axle >> Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint >> Guide Link, Removing and
Installing.
Before installation, ensure the new guide link has a parts
version of 05S or higher (Figure 4).
Tip:
 Please precisely locate the source of the noise with
acoustic testers.
 Check the repair history for repeat repairs.

Figure 4. New guide link parts version.

Page 3 of 5
© 2021 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.

Warranty
Claim Type:

 110 up to 48 months/50,000 miles.
 G10 for CPO Covered vehicles – Verified Owner.
 If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Bulletin is informational only.

Service Number:

4012

Damage Code:

0020

Diagnostic Time:

Claim Comment:

2 Lower guide links remove + reinstall

4016 2050

See SRT with
associated
operations

Replace 2 guide link mounting

4012 5650

See SRT with
associated
operations

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to the service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after the service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

As per TSB #2058489/3

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)

02

See ETKA

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

See ETKA/ELSA

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© 2021 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 (2058489) are subject to change and/or removal.
©2021 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. The 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 5 of 5
© 2021 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.