How many have had shocks replaced

[jackWood2]

had one shock replaced last week and they were over confident it would be ok and guess what its going back for the same thing again so i would say new batches are still the same as old

So you had the shock go faulty in less than a week?

How long are you guys having to wait for new shocks to come in? My shocks have been on order with Stockport SKF Audi for over 3 weeks now!

Jack

[hanbury]

m5killer wrote:
had one shock replaced last week and they were over confident it would be ok and guess what its going back for the same thing again so i would say new batches are still the same as old


So you had the shock go faulty in less than a week?

How long are you guys having to wait for new shocks to come in? My shocks have been on order with Stockport SKF Audi for over 3 weeks now!

Having one go faulty so quickly is a disaster. Interesting that they only replaced one though, I thought they had to do opposing corners also which is why mine had all four done when only the fronts were leaking.

On the subject of waiting - I wiated just under two weeks for an appointment but my stealer said this was because of the time it takes to do the job (6hrs plus apparently) and that spares weren't a problem. Bizarrely though, when I turned up to drop it off they claimed not to have the necessary tool and that they didn't know how long it would take to get it! I basically told them they would be keeping my car until fixed and that if it wasn't done in the originally planned three days I would be wanting a loaner much more comparable to my car than the 2.0TDi Avant they palmed me of with!

Magically it was all sorted in two days.

[richmay76]

Most dealers apparently do not have the correct tools (Charging device and pressure tester). Photo and part codes here:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de/workshop/en ... 100000.htm

The supplement VAS 6209/2 is required on the Audi RS4 to perform the pressure test on the DRC system. A pressure test is necessary to determine whether the DRC system requires filling. The application is described in the relevant workshop manual.

Recommended accessories

Charging device for DRC system, Audi RS6
VAS 6209, ⇒ ASE 425 003 00 000

Charging device for Audi RS4 DRC system
VAS 6209/1; ⇒ ASE 425 010 00 000

Warranty

24 months

Manufacturer

Autotestgeräte Leitenberger GmbH

ASE 425 011 00 000

[Marcus-RS4]

I think Watchdog should be informed - they talked about it on the RS6 threads, but nothing came of it...
Audi need to be publicly held accountable for a this issue.. read the RS6 threads if you need more convincing, many are having to pay for the fixes themselves now, I dont want this to happen to me in the future!

[ARSEY4]

At this stage let us see what being calm and reasonable brings. I have rehashed the letter slightly. Have a read and see what you think. There are still about 15 people who have not responded to the "yes" "no" thread.
Keep the momentum up everyone.
BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL.
(Apologies if you didnt watch He Man as a child).


Dear Sir
Re Audi B7 RS4 Reg No
I purchased the above car new from xyz Audi on dd/mm/yy. On dd/mm/yy with 1234 miles on the odometer my car was fitted with two new front shock absorbers after it developed a knocking sound from the front suspension and the shock absorber failure was attributed to the DRC valve system.
A group of fellow enthusiasts and I recently conducted a poll on a well known Audi RS public forum, a copy of which I enclose, where we asked how many owners have had shock absorbers replaced. To our surprise ab out of yz contributors have had their shock absorbers replaced, this means that ??% of cars have experienced failure. This of course does not take into account other RS4 owners who do not subscribe to the forum but from conversations that I have had from my supplying dealer it is very apparent that this is a common problem with the RS4 and RS6. I would like to protect myself against expense out of warranty and protection against potential loss in residual value due to faulty parts and the public’s perception of the reliability of these cars. I would therefore kindly request firm answers in writing to the following questions:
1) Are all shock absorbers being fitted now updated versions from the original that eliminate the leaking problem and any associated DRC problems?
2) What date were the updated parts, if any, made available to UK dealers?
3) Do replacement shock absorbers carry the Audi 3 year 60000 mile warranty from the time they were fitted?
4) If the replacement shock absorbers are not updated versions that eliminate the problem do Audi think this is reasonable given such a high level of failures?
5) Are Audi confident that these shock absorbers are being fitted correctly by the dealers? There seems to be conflicting reports that all four shock absorbers should be replaced, just the faulty absorber or the faulty absorber and the absorber on the opposing side of the same axle. Please would you advise as to what Audi’s technical guidance is on this matter?
6) What is the exact problem that causes failures in so many RS4’s and RS6’s fitted with the DRC system?
7) What is the exact procedure for fitting shock absorbers when a leak occurs? Again there have been conflicting dealer opinions with regard to the need for specialists re pressurising equipment and that many dealers do not possess the correct tools leading to incorrect fitting and almost instant failure.
Could you advise if my dealer has the correct tools needed to fit new absorbers and re pressurise the DRC system and if they had it when my shock absorbers were replaced on dd/mm/yy?
9) Do Audi think a recall would have been more appropriate given the seriousness of where the faults are occurring?
I understand that the DRC was fitted to the previous generation RS6 and this car experienced very similar failures. I visited the RS6 section of the same public forum mentioned above where 70% of owners have suffered failures of the same system! I also enclose a copy of their survey so you have some back up documentation. I am extremely concerned with regard to quality issues as apart from problems with the shock absorbers and the DRC system on my car I have had the following issues:
1) List....
2)

In addition to the above points and assuming that the replacement parts fitted when a shock absorber leaks and DRC fails are not improvements I would kindly ask for written confirmation from Audi that the replacement parts fitted will be covered by the manufacturer’s 3year 60000 mile warranty from the date that the part was fitted and an assurance from Audi that should a part become available that eradicates the faults and problems associated with the current generation DRC system and shock absorbers that it will be fitted free of charge to my car as soon as it becomes available.
Yours Faithfully

[Marcus-RS4]

I like the letter and it reads well - but it doesn't help me.. my system is leak free at the moment, what if my seals last until the day after the warranty runs out? And they WILL fail at some point. (check the poll on RS6 section)

I just want to try and protect myself from a large bill in 2-3 years time, does that mean I have to sell the car? I hope not, because I have no idea what I would replace it with - apart from this issue, I am in LOVE

[caldy]

Confusion reigns - my OSF is leaking and Audi Newcastle are replacing that strut alone, together with the control valve, but not the diagonally opposed rear shock.

[Marcus-RS4]

Looks like I have been beaten to it... http://rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB ... ic&t=69632

[ARSEY4]

I like the letter and it reads well - but it doesn't help me.. my system is leak free at the moment, what if my seals last until the day after the warranty runs out? And they WILL fail at some point. (check the poll on RS6 section)

I just want to try and protect myself from a large bill in 2-3 years time, does that mean I have to sell the car? I hope not, because I have no idea what I would replace it with - apart from this issue, I am in LOVE

I would estimate that reasonable life expectancy of certain parts like shock absorbers is 60k so from that point of view the general warranty terms are okay. My wish is to get Audi to explain and educate us so we know what to expect from our dealers and atleast warranty the replacement parts for a further 3 years/60k miles so parts replaced on the 35th month of ownership would get a further 36 months from that date. I have also said in the letter that should the parts not be updates and an update becomes available then they fit free of charge.
Feel free to add a paragraph that covers your scenario.
I am trying to encourage participation and have purely drafted the letter from my own perspective.

[richmay76]

I like the letter and it reads well - but it doesn't help me.. my system is leak free at the moment, what if my seals last until the day after the warranty runs out? And they WILL fail at some point. (check the poll on RS6 section)

I just want to try and protect myself from a large bill in 2-3 years time, does that mean I have to sell the car? I hope not, because I have no idea what I would replace it with - apart from this issue, I am in LOVE

I would estimate that reasonable life expectancy of certain parts like shock absorbers is 60k so from that point of view the general warranty terms are okay. My wish is to get Audi to explain and educate us so we know what to expect from our dealers and atleast warranty the replacement parts for a further 3 years/60k miles so parts replaced on the 35th month of ownership would get a further 36 months from that date. I have also said in the letter that should the parts not be updates and an update becomes available then they fit free of charge.
Feel free to add a paragraph that covers your scenario.
I am trying to encourage participation and have purely drafted the letter from my own perspective.

Just to let you know that I am waiting on a few people to get back to me on the letter issue and will post here as soon as I know more. My feeling is that I will be advised to deal with this on my own terms (may even pay for advice) but will be happy to share the letter with people here to use as a template which can be amended as you individually see fit.

[richmay76]

Update: I have to wait until Tuesday to speak with the right solicitor about this. Not intending to go in all guns blazing, but want to make sure that whatever is written is spot on from the off. Will update as and when. Again, will happily share with you guys as long as you are serious about adding your voice (unless they advise me that going in together is the wrong thing to do - but still happy to share regardless). Will most likely share privately so please PM me your email addresses and I will group email when I know more.

[ARSEY4]

Update: I have to wait until Tuesday to speak with the right solicitor about this. Not intending to go in all guns blazing, but want to make sure that whatever is written is spot on from the off. Will update as and when. Again, will happily share with you guys as long as you are serious about adding your voice (unless they advise me that going in together is the wrong thing to do - but still happy to share regardless). Will most likely share privately so please PM me your email addresses and I will group email when I know more.

Thanks, any info would be great. You have PM.

[richmay76]

Got it - cheers. Will be in touch again soon

[S4INT]

Well - that's my vote changed! Had it confirmed today that the car needs both front dampers replaced and the central valve Was also informed that the damper has been revised with a better gaiter design to try and keep the dirt out. (or the oil in....)

BTW, for the record, car has sports suspension plus.

[jackWood2]

Saint, have they given you any idea how long you need to wait to get replacement shocks?

Are people able to actually change their vote in the poll? Because the numbers do not seem to reflect the fact that several people that put in No previously have since had to change their answer to a Yes............