Leeking Damper - a serious question

[jonp]

Hi all

For those that don't know, my B7 has now done 63,000 miles in 16 months motoring. At the 60K service I was told I have a leaking O/S/R damper which would be replaced under warranty.

No prob I thought. Well not to bore you with the incopitence of the dealer ordering the parts incorrectly twice, they told me that they were only going to replace ONE unit, not the other one on the opposite side.

Now tell me if I am stupid, but I was always told that dampers, like tyres should Always be replaced in pairs - especially at that mileage.

After a heated discussion with Bedford Audi, I told them that unless they replace the pair, I am not getting back into the car.

I have no intention of trowing a 155mph car into a corner with one worn and one band new damper on.

What are your thoughts?

Jon P

PS, drove the R8 for a day - now I want one!!

[simple1]

Typical Audi approach to replacing things, do as little as possible to get it done. You are right, dont do them singularly, should be in axle pairs. No skin off thier noses as I am sure the other will start to leak in the near future and then they will have to do four wheel alignment all over again...... wont they Dont forget to mention that, when I had my B5 done for the same reason, they handed me back car and had not done alignment check. Needless to say they did do it before I left!

[SteveH]

Don't forget that with DRC, its not an axle pair replacement, its opposing corners & central valve/reservoir due to them being connected together in pairs... If you really get technical you would in theory change all 4 dampers, but that is a little excessive in reality with that age of car.

[sykotoy]

i have 1 leaking also in the rear, as im paying they sugest both lol , yes you must do both or a dyno test on remaining

[jonp]

Just an update...

After about an hour of phone calls, finally Customer Services are paying for the 2nd damper. At just £141 for the part, I had to threaten that they buy the car from me as I wouldn't be getting back into it.

Typically, customer service very poor.

Interestingly, that with new dampers oon the rear the car handles very differently to when it had 63,000 mile units on it, so I am glad I pushed for having the pair replaced under warranty.

No need for a 4 wheel alignment, as the parts can be removed without any of the other wishbone/suspension components.

Jon P

[alex_123_fra]

Glad you got it sorted Jon, when will audi dealers learn . Disappointingly, it seems common to have to threaten them to do even the most basic of warranty work on cars.

I wonder if things are the same in Germany?!

[RS4-Junkie]

we get the leaked damper changed with a re-setup of the whole DRC setup below 20.000mls ... but what happens after 60k miles? Dunno, rly.

[SteveH]

If it persists, particularly after 60K/3yrs bin the DRC and get an aftermarket set-up.

[rAudiguy]

Hi Jon, I had a very simular experience with my RS6 when the rear damper went. However at that time Audi were convinced the problem was that my tyres only had 4mm on them. Utter Bo***cks I said and after a 3rd test drive with a mechanic they agreed to replace both rear dampers. interestingly they also had 4 other RS6's in at that time for the same problem so I guess it's a fairly common thing with RS cars. Stick to your guns mate i'm sure they will come around to your way of thinking. You could always dangle the carrot and say I'm thinking of a 2nd car for other half and can't decide on a Q7 or the new X5 but now thanks to them you've decided on the X5!!! As you want to know you will get the aftersales help and support you expect when spending 50k on a car. Although in honest Audi leave BM for dead on cutomer service in my experience!! any way gibbering over i'll shut up now!!

[jonp]

rAudiGuy

Just to let you know, all is sorted. I did do pull the 'I was going to buy an R8, but now not so sure" which all helped. Today placed an order for an R8 from another dealer

Cheers

Jon P

[rAudiguy]

Jon, Wicked news! how long do you have to wait for that? what colour did you go for? I drove a black one 3 weeks ago and think it is possibly the sexiest car on the road right now under 100k. Look forward to seeing pictures etc soon.

Jim

[chillin]

Hi guys
I also had a leaking rear shock and had it replaced under warranty - bad news was that it the car only had 2,500 miles on the clock at the time. I've now started to get a similar noise coming from the front and both shocks will be replaced, again - under warrnaty - the car now has 5,000 miles on it now, which is still pretty poor for such a new vehicle, hopefully after this fix I'll be gremlin free for the considerable future.

[audijohn]

Hi guys
I also had a leaking rear shock and had it replaced under warranty - bad news was that it the car only had 2,500 miles on the clock at the time. I've now started to get a similar noise coming from the front and both shocks will be replaced, again - under warrnaty - the car now has 5,000 miles on it now, which is still pretty poor for such a new vehicle, hopefully after this fix I'll be gremlin free for the considerable future.

What are the symtoms, as mine is noisey when cold front near side sounds thumpy!!!!!!.

[ChuckUK]

I get a noise from the back left, sounds more like a rattle and squelching noise is this a leaky damper? Also noticed now when the car is rev'd/driven at 1.5-2.5k revs you get a wine, seems to also do it when I got around a left hand bend !!!

[audijohn]

I am jacking mine up in the morning, removing the wheel and getting in there, if I find anything it's "Audi here we come"