A401884 2048266-

40 Rumbling/creaking noises from front of vehicle while driving
40 18 84 2048266/4 August 9, 2018. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 40 number 18-83 dated July
30, 2018 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)
Year
VIN Range
Vehicle-Specific Equipment
Q7
2017 - 2018
All
Not Applicable
A6, A7, and
A8
2015 - 2018
All
Not Applicable
Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Purpose
4
-
Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operations)
3
07/30/2018
Revised Warranty (Updated Labor Operations)
2
09/20/2017
Revised Warranty (Updated 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.
Technical Background
The noises can be generated on the lower left control arm in the area of the hydro-bushing.
Parts such as the coupling rod (4M0411317), axle components, and shock absorbers/air suspension struts are
replaced often by mistake.
Page 1 of 4
© 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.
Production Solution
Modified hydro-bushing in control arm link (Figure 1):
 A6/A7 - 4G4HN011283 on 06/21/2016, part number 4G0407183B
 A8 - 4H7HN000731 on 06/01/2016, part number 4H0407183C
 Q7 - 4M2GD063812 on 04/29/2016, part number 4M0407183B
Figure 1. Hydro-bushing.
Service
The noises from the guide link can be transmitted into the vehicle interior through the connection of the
subframe on the body. As a result, the noises can be heard in the footwell.
Check the lower guide link of the front axle as it may be the source of the noises. If necessary, replace the
hydro-bushing on the guide link.
The following steps are helpful in diagnosing the source of the noises:
1. Does the noise get louder when steering?
2. Do you perceive the concern in the footwell while driving on uneven roads or over speed bumps?
3. Does the concern only occur with minor unevenness of the road?
Tip: Please precisely locate the source of the noise with acoustic testers. A replacement of the guide link is
not effective.
If the cause of the noise cannot be traced to mounting of the guide link, continue analysis on other components.
Relaxing the front axle while there is weight on the wheels in many cases improves the situation.
Page 2 of 4
© 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.
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:
4016
Damage Code:
0020
Labor Operations:
A6 and A7:
1 Replace guide link mounting
4012 5550
30 TU
1 Lower guide link remove + reinstall
4016 1950
70 TU
1 Wheel remove + reinstall
4405 1900
20 TU
Replace 2 guide link mountings
4012 5650
50 TU
2 Lower guide links remove + reinstall
4016 2050
100 TU
2 Wheels remove + reinstall
4405 2000
30 TU
1 Lower guide link remove + reinstall (Includes
4016 1950
time to replace 1 guide link mounting)
70 TU
1 Wheel remove + reinstall
4405 1900
20 TU
2 Lower guide links remove + reinstall
(Includes time to replace 2 guide link
mountings)
4016 2050
100 TU
2 Wheels remove + reinstall
4405 2000
20 TU
1 Replace guide link mounting
4012 5550
30 TU
1 Lower guide link remove + reinstall
4016 1900
90 TU
Replace 2 guide link mountings
4012 5650
50 TU
2 Lower guide links remove + reinstall
4016 2000
140 TU
A8:
Q7:
Page 3 of 4
© 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.
Diagnostic Time:
Claim Comment:
GFF
No allowance
0 TU
Road test prior to service procedure
0121 0002
10 TU
Road test after service procedure
0121 0004
10 TU
As per TSB #2048266/4
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
Please refer to ETKA for the correct part information.
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.
©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 4 of 4
© 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.