DRC - definitive list?

[Sammyb349]

Hi All,
Is there a good repository for for the DRC known issues and solutions for the B8?

I think I've got a hollow sounding rattle on mine when going over certain bad road surfaces which sounds like a bushes problem to me (I had this on a previous car) but would be interested in comparing notes.

Thanks
Sam

[chandler99]

Mines in with audi now for the same kind of sounds, and the tech seemed to think it could be caused by low pressure in the shocks, which he seemed to say could only because though the shocks leaking.

They did take me out in another RS4 and it had a similar sound, although not as bad.

[MikeFish]

I think Ross had some issues with his DRC that were sorted by Audi.

[RossDagley]

I think Ross had some issues with his DRC that were sorted by Audi.

I did. There's a thread on it if you guys have a search.

It was a long slog of a battle though, and I had to put a lot of pressure on, over a long period, to have Audi do anything. Only the threat of vehicle rejection seemed to wake them up, so I'm not sure how much luck you'd have on a vehicle over 6 months old.

It really winds me up when Audi bare face lie about this kind of thing - it's a 'characteristic' or it's 'normal'. No, it's not...

[Sammyb349]

Thanks guys, will do the search and take a look now.

[innercry666]

I've just had the front shocks replaced on mine by Nottingham Audi. The biggest surprise was that I had zero push back when I took it in. I mentioned that the ride height had dropped and the ride quality had reduced over time.

Notts Audi took it out for a spin came back and went, "we can hear a knocking noise, there's a TPI on this and it advises we replace the front shocks". I was stunned as I was expecting a huge fight on my hands for them to even acknowledge there was a problem. I didn't even need to mention the knocking noise. However, having seen the TPI it came out in May and to get the replacement shocks you must complain of a knocking noise. Apparently they have produced a re-designed shock for the fronts that should eliminate the problem reoccurring. Only time will tell.

The only problem I have now is that whilst the front feels super smooth the rear ride quality still feels poor. I'm going to take it back to Notts Audi and see what they say. I have to say I was very impressed with the service. They even realigned the car and calibrated all of the assist sensors. Completely different experience to what I have had elsewhere in the dealer network.

[RossDagley]

So it looks like the work I did through Audi Customer Care might have paid off for some of you guys then - perhaps (and I hope I had some influence here) they've released a TPI off the back of mine (and perhaps others) persistence and fight to get this resolved.

Huge result

[innercry666]

For sure. The timing wasn't lost on me. The fact that they now acknowledge there is an issue and have apparently re-designed the shocks to try and eliminate the issue is a huge step forward. I wonder if Audi played their cards close to their chest for the period when they were working on a solution but couldn't acknowledge it.

I was specifically told last year by Tamworth Audi that the knocking was a characteristic of the system. This year the TPI states that you have to be specifically complaining of a knocking noise coming from the suspension to get any action to solve the problem. How things change!

[chandler99]

Well, got mine back yesterday. Asked what they had done to the issues reported and the response was "No idea, its not been written up yet".

So got the car back, and it feels and sounds exactly the same as before. Should get the report sheet in a few days so will feedback then..

overall, very disappointing experience to be fair.

[Sammyb349]

Mine only knocks (like a hollow banging noise) when over rough surfaces. It doesn't knock for large undulations but does for things like manhole covers.
Given my experience with Guildford Audi to-date I shan't be asking them to look at it though I will write to them to let them know. I'll be instead trying my luck with Jack Barclay to see what they say about the warranty approach.

Will keep you all posted.

[dan@biali]

Had my RS4 from 1700 miles (dealer demo/MD's car) and noticed a slight clunk from what I thought was the front O/S. Left it as thought I was being paranoid but when it went in for a service at 7k I mentioned I'd like it looked at. Took the master tech out and he just about heard the clunk - low speed and sounded more like a top mount was loose - to which he said it didn't sound like the usual DRC failure.

Wasn't expecting much other than a fight to get it sorted when I had a phone call to say Audi technical had told the dealer to go ahead and replace the front dampers and a part related to the steering column. She told me it was a £4.5K job! Car definitely feels better, the steering is a little more direct (there was a slight vagueness occassionally where it would almost feel like when you get caught in a rut on the inside lane of a motorway caused by trucks and its pulling at the steering wheel), and she said they found the N/S damper was definitely leaking.

Now though, the front ride height is different, or at least I'm convinced it is. Its definitely higher and the service assistant says that because the damper was leaking, originally the system had less pressure and therefore less height, but I've looked at many photos and still think its too high!

FYI, I had to wait for a few weeks just for the parts to be assembled as they supposedly are having a huge number of warranty repairs on DRC equipped cars (not sure other than the RS5 whether we share dampers with other models). Glad to see Audi have learnt their lessons from the B7

Anyone care to put a tape measure to their front arches? Mine are 698mm O/S and 693mm N/S.

Before on the right:

[chandler99]

What were your arch heights before the replacement? Its quite hard to tell on the pics but i'm guessing that before the replacement, the wheel sat deeper in the arch (less space between the top of the wheel and arch)/?

[dan@biali]

I didn't take measurements before unfortunately.

[Macdaddy]

Where you measuring from? mine are more like 5cm to the tyre edge.

[innercry666]

Following replacement of the front shocks mine is definitely higher than it was and does sit a bit higher than the rear. I've given it a little bit of time to settle but am going to raise it with Audi to see what they say. In fact the rear of the car still feels quite poorly damped compared to the front. I suspect they should have replaced all four but getting the front's done was definitely an improvement.