A401880

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.