Problem with DRC and Steering - help!

[Gumball0r]

When I wrote to Audi Germany (and got great results) I used this:

AUDI AG
International Customer Services
85045 Ingolstadt
Fax +49 (0) 800 329 26 2834
+49 841 89 38889
mailto: service(at)audi.de
http://www.audi.com

[Awd4]

Thanks Gumball0r! will ring later in the morning

[Awd4]

I guess this is it, got the final answer from Audi Ireland, it's 50% and that's it.
They are not aware of any previous cases in Ireland...

I wrote to Audi Germany, but I don't expect much from there either at this stage,

Will collect my car tomorrow with its 2 leaking shocks and will have a set of KW V3 installed in the UK (MRC probably)
not sure where I will have the brake pads & disks and sparks plugs done, but we'll see

thanks for all your help guys, it was much appreciated, at least we tried...

[Terry1948]

If I was you I would feel a little miffed that in America,Europe and Britain, people got this FOC. Just a thought perhaps a short break in England or Scotland even Wales and go to Audi and see if they would change them FOC.

[Awd4]

@Terry1948: I do feel even worse than that and I did tell them...

incidentally, we have sold our X5 commercial this week and we had 2 quotes running between a new 520d and the new A6 2.0tdi.
Guess who is getting the business now..

[JackS4]

Dissapointing but not unexpected answer from Audi Ireland.

If you are heading over to MRC to get the suspension sorted (make sure you get uprated ARB's btw) myabe get a quote from them on the other stuff. From experience their labour rates are 40+% less than Audi Ireland and as they will be mucking round with the suspension anyway it should be cheaper to sort the brakes etc at the same time.

Would advise getting a healthcheck while there too - not a lot of money for peace of mind.

And no - I am not on commission from MRC !
J

J

[Awd4]

Thanks J, I picked up the car this morning and had a lengthy chat with the technician, he is a real enthusiast.
It appears that most if the rattling was coming from the loose bolt in the steering rack and after trying the car with him by my side, I was really happy to notice that the ride is quite good and no apparent noise.
He told me that there could be a good few miles left with my 2 shocks as they are only 'sweating' and I should wait for what audi Germany say before I do anything. He agrees that kw v3 are the best option to replace the drc.
So here we are, am very happy have my car back and can't wait to go for a long spin this week end

I will get a full quote from mrc for the other jobs,
As per Audi Ireland, well... No comments as I believe swearing is not permitted on this forum...

[Terry1948]

I shall keep my DRC even if I have to replace it as I think it is very good. I am still on my original shocks and if they last 5-7 years I have no complaints. It may be that Kw v3 will need to be replaced after this time has anyone run them for this length of time?

[sonny]

loose bolt in the steering rack ...

I had the same a few years ago, 2 min job.

Glad you go it fixed.

@Terry I to kept my DRC.

[Awd4]

Drove the car back from Dublin late last night, so had a good opportunity to have a spirited spin back home, including a few miles on back roads
It is transformed. The steering is firm and precise, the grip back to its good old days. All the noises were indeed coming from the steering rack and they're all gone now.

I must say talking to the technician (won't name him here) was really reassuring, it's good to know that someone in there knows what he's talking about.

@ Terry1948: I have been very happy myself with the DRC, it is perfectly suited for my use, I don't do track and we have really bumpy roads where I live, and in these conditions, 81k kms without any problem, I suppose isn't too bad. But everyone say that once the problem start, it comes back all the time. In the other hand, the technician says that they have the proper machine to fix and re-pressurise the DRC to the correct level, so it is a hard call...

@Sonny: Yes thanks it's like having a new RS4 all over again!

[edge]

@ Awd4 - I would still go aftermarket on the suspension as the other shocks will go at some point and one less thing to worry about.

@edge - yes, mine is the Silver RS4.

J

Ah we spoke before, spotted you in Sandyford a few weeks back also.....

@ Awd4, so this is the reason for the 50% compared to the 100% goodwill I received? (Taken from another post)

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=90910

Sweating is not constrained just to drc shocks. It's so common that vosa issue guidelines in the mot specifically stating that misting or sweating on shocks is not grounds for a mot fail.
Audi dealers have a checklist from Audi with a set of pictures showing various states of drc conditions. Only a definate leak signified by visible fluid on the shock is an automatic swap.

Yes nearside (to the kerb) is the passenger side.

Why don't you get the drc pressure tested -Audi will already be doing one pair as part of the swap so worth paying the extra bit of labour to see if there is any issues.

[Awd4]

@ edge: not sure if that's the reason, when I spoke to Audi Ireland, the 2 shocks were 'officially' to be changed, I don't think they were aware that my 2 shocks were sweating rather than leaking. I only found out when I spoke to the technician in Sandyford that the shocks were only at an early stage of failure.

@ jacks4: when i picked up the car on Friday I also met a silver RS4 in Sandyford

[edge]

That must be the issue, I was told mine were leaking and covered, after a discussion and a call to Germany. I didnt have any issues with them up there at all, I have to say they were very good during the whole thing!

Jacks4 has some noise of her

[JackS4]

I was up in Sandyford on Friday getting an oil and air filter change but at Foster.

Edge/Awd4 - you should get yourselves along to one of the Octane.ie Cars & Coffee meets held first Sunday of each month in Cherrywood....be nice for my RS to have a few siblings.

J

[Awd4]

Sounds good to me
3 RS4 should sound nice