Technical Service Bulletin
44 Steering wheel shimmy, vibration and/or oscillation
44 13 42 2022563/7 September 27, 2013. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 44 number 13-36 dated
February 18, 2013 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

All

2008 - 2014

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

7

-

Revised header data (Updated customer codes)
Revised Condition (Clarified description; added scenarios)
Revised Technical Background (Removed RFV description; added table and
reference to Elsa)
Revised Service (Revised instructions)

6

2/18/2013

Revised title (corrected ElsaWeb error)

5

1/18/2013

Revised header data (Added model years)
Revised Service (Revised repair procedure)

4

4/15/2011

Revised Warranty

3

4/7/2011

Revised header data

2

1/24/2011

Revised Warranty (Service Number, Labor Operation)

1

1/27/2010

Original publication

• This bulletin is not applicable if this vehicle has a Repair Authorization on this topic.
• Customer feels vibration in the seat, vehicle floor, footwell, pedals, or steering wheel. This condition does not
lead to any handling concerns or loss of vehicle control. The customer feels the vibration in one or both of the
following circumstances:
• When driving at highway speeds from 55 – 80 mph (88 – 128 km/h).
• When applying low brake pedal pressure with minor slow down.
• One of the following scenarios applies:
• Scenario A: The vehicle is in for a repeat repair of this condition and the vehicle has original, factoryinstalled tires.
• Scenario B: This is the first visit for this condition and the vehicle has original, factory-installed tires.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
Technical Background
The vibrations felt by the customer could be a result of the harmonic vibrations caused by the radial force variation
(RFV) of the tires.
The table below explains possible causes of wheel-related and tire-related vibrations in the vehicle. Please refer to
Elsa>>Wheel and Tire Guide >> Diagnosis and Testing for further diagnostic procedures and other possible
causes of vibration.

Vibration Description

Possible Cause

Vibration felt in the steering wheel while at
constant speed

Increased radial forces on the front tires

Vibration in the entire vehicle

Increased or critical radial forces on the rear
tires and possible on the front tires.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
For Scenario A:
1. Complete only the following sections of this bulletin:
• Prepare Tires for Radial Force Variation Measurement
• Measure Radial Force Variation
• Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies
Do not complete the Reduce Radial Force Variation section, and do not attempt to balance or improve the
RFV values.
2. Complete the attached Vibration Questionnaire.
3. Open a TAC ticket. Attach the completed questionnaire and the RFV values from the VAS 6230 / Hunter
®
GSP9700 Road Force Measurement system.
For Scenario B:
1. Complete all of the following sections of this bulletin:
• Prepare Tires for Radial Force Variation Measurement
• Measure Radial Force Variation
• Reduce Radial Force Variation

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

Page 2 of 6

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
• Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies
2. Only if vibrations are still present after completing all four sections, open a TAC ticket and include the
completed Vibration Questionnaire and the RFV values from the VAS 6230 / Hunter GSP9700 Road Force
®
Measurement system.
Prepare Tires for Radial Force Variation Measurement:
Flat spots falsify the radial force fluctuation and must be driven out before the balance and the radial force are
checked. Flat spots develop after the warm tire has cooled down after a stationary period of a few hours, and they
will vary based on the type, size, and make of the tire. To eliminate flat spots:
1. Test drive the vehicle a distance of at least 12 miles at various speed ranges (up to 62 mph).
2. Raise the vehicle on a lift/hoist immediately after the test drive in order to check the balance and radial force
before the tires cool down again.
Tip: Flat spots are not a sign of a defect and therefore are not a warrantable condition.
Tip: More information about flat spots is available in Elsa under Repair Manual >> Suspension, Wheels,
Steering >> Wheel and Tire Guide >> 44 Wheels, Tires, Wheel Alignment >> Diagnosis and Testing >> Wheel
and Tire Vibration >> Tire Flat Spots from Standing.
Measure Radial Force Variation:
1. Ensure that all flat spots have been eliminated.
2. Mount the wheels on the balancing machine, making sure that the contact surfaces of the flange and wheel
are clean.
Note:
It is mandatory that the appropriate cantering cone and a fivefinger style clamping plate (Figure 2, A) are used when the wheel
is being mounted on the balancer.
A five-finger style clamp centers the wheel on the balancer in the
same way the wheel is centered on the vehicle (Figure 2, B).
An incorrect style of clamp could damage the wheel (Figure 2, C).

Figure 2. Five-finger style clamping plate
(A), wheel properly mounted with a fivefinger style clamp (B), and wheel mounted
using an incorrect clamping tool/method
(C).
© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
Tip: Use adequate lubrication to ensure that tires are properly seated on the wheel. Do not use
excessive lubricant, which may cause the tire to slip on the wheel, impacting the balance and road force
values.
®

3. Use a VAS 6230 / Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement system to measure the difference of
maximum and minimal radial force.
Tip: Do not use “Quick Match” mode; this mode does not measure radial force. Also, turn on the “Smart
Weight” balance feature. This feature will check both static (hop) and couple (wobble) vibrations to give the
best possible weight and placement.
Reduce Radial Force Variation (For Scenario B Only):
1. Optimize the radial forces:
• Set the tire pressure of each wheel to 36 psi (2.5 bar).
• Measure, balance, and if necessary, force match each wheel according to the instructions from the
machine. Use 18lbs (80N) or less for the first harmonic vibration as the maximum.
Note:
If the first harmonic of the radial force of the tire that is the source of the vibration cannot be reduced to less
than 18lbs (80N), and the tire is an original factory-installed tire, it should be replaced.
Reinstall Wheel and Tire Assemblies:
1. Install the wheels according to VAS 6230 instructions for lowest vibration. The wheel/tire assembly with the
lowest road force values should be installed closest to the driver:
• Lowest road force value: Left front
• Second-lowest road force value: Right front
• Third-lowest road force value: Left rear
• Highest road force value: Right rear
Follow the instructions in Elsa under Repair Manual >> Running gear >> 44 wheels, tires, wheel alignment >>
Installation of wheels/ tires/ tire pressure warning >> Instructions on wheel change/installation.
2. Adjust tire pressure. Refer to the owner’s manual for appropriate tire pressure.
3. Test drive the vehicle at the speed at which the customer felt the vibrations to verify that the condition is
repaired.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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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:

4412

Damage Code:

0013

Labor Operations:

Balance and radial force balance all 4 wheels. 4412 9999
A copy of the before-and-after radial force and
balance values must be attached to the Repair
Order.

190 TU

Includes additional time for extended road test
prior to service procedure.

Diagnostic Time:

2 wheels, remove and reinstall

4405 2000

20 TU (per
axle)

GFF

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

0121 0002

10 TU

Road test after service procedure

0121 0004

10 TU

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 #2022563/7

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.

Audi Tire Warranty Assistance Program (ATAP)
The Audi Tire Assistance Program is not an Audi of America, Inc. factory warranty. Audi of America, Inc. does not
warranty tires originally installed or sold as replacement for use on Audi vehicles. Individual tire manufacturers
provide all the underlying tire warranties.
Please refer to Audi Tire Center website for warranty coverage and claim submission details.
Dealer Tire 1-866-487-2834
Audi warranty 1-866-677-AUDI

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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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
Required Parts and Tools
Tools
• Use VAS 6230 / Hunter GSP9700 Road Force Measurement® System to check balance, Road Force values,
and to make necessary adjustments.
• Use centering hub in conjunction with VAS 6243 model-specific clamping plate (5 finger clamping device) or
similar device to ensure proper mounting of wheel and to prevent damage to wheels.
• Vetronix MTS 4100 NVH Analyzer is helpful when diagnosing vibration concerns and can help narrow down the
list of possible sources of the vibration.

Additional Information
More information can be found in the following resources:
• ElsaWeb: Wheel and Tire Guide >> Diagnosis and Testing
• SSP: Noise, Vibration, and Harshness 961403
The following repair procedure(s) will be necessary to complete this procedure:
• Chassis >> Wheel and Tire Guide >> Diagnosis and Testing
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2022563) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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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.