DRC leaking vs sweating

[rs4007]

So, my DRC has done it's thing and bust on me, luckily a few months before the 5 years is up. I first noticed the clunking front driver side. Had it checked at independent and they said rear passenger had gone (leaking). Now in Audi and they said they'll replace ONE shock, rear 'near' side (is that the same as passenger side?). Anyway, the front two are also 'sweating', but none of this was reported on an Audi service about 1000 miles ago. Surely 'sweating' is a sign that things are about to go tits up? Edinburgh Audi have said they'll check the shocks again in 3-4 months, but this will be out of my 5 year warranty, so not sure yet, if they will replace under warranty if they find things worse in that time. I will find out tomorrow. So basically, varying stories on which shock has gone, but maybe that's just some incompetency on the part of the customer service woman. I definitely saw the passenger rear "leaking' and the front two 'sweating'..

What sort of lines do I need to pull out when I speak to them to get all 4 done? Has anyone managed this without all 4 'leaking'?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Andy

[adsgreen]

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.

[rs4007]

Thank you for the info.
So Audi will replace the leaking shock and test a pair afterwards, is the pair the back pair or is diagonal?
I'll see what I can get them to check today, thanks.

Also, has anyone had such lengthy waiting times? It's taken about 3 weeks for them to even look at it and then yesterday told me it would take another 2 weeks to even do the job...

[Steve_C]

The shocks are connected diagonally. A special tool is needed to do the work and some dealerships share this tool which could explain the delay you are experiencing?

[P_G]

There may also be a backlog on supply of revised shocks. As to replacing all 4 shocks there is little to no chance; the mandate on the system is only to replace the one/s leaking, then repressurise and test intergrity of all 4. If they are fine the car goes out as is; if not they replace accordingly.

[alex020869]

I had similar at Edinburgh Audi about 3 weeks ago. I told them there was a knocking sound from the front. They said they couldn't hear anything when it was tested. I then mentioned that the car had been in there before regarding the sweating n/s/f shocker. They then told me they were aware of it and then recommended getting the system re-pressureised. I asked what the pressure was when tested but was told she would need to speak to the technician on Monday as it was Saturday. Unfortunately i left for work on Sunday and when i asked my wife if they called her with the report i was told there was no return call.

They weren't interested in replacing the shocker and was supposed to receive the price for the re-pressurising in the same call. I had asked her that if they suspected the pressure was low, then would that mean low pressure on all 4 shockers or just one? She didn't know and again, that was meant to be answered with her return call.

They did replace a parking sensor and faulty A/C switch on warranty though. So not all bad.

Alex

[rs4007]

Yeah, they are being terrible at calling back when they say they will, I think whoever answers the phones there has the memory of a goldfish and the knowledge of it's unborn foetus! Good to hear your story Alex, i'll see what they can do and how long they can continue to make sure my system is ok since my 5 years is up in July. Seriously considering one of those warranty direct things for £775 a year... sounds like they would cover all those sorts of things than I am sure owning a car like this, we can expect to have to pay at least that a year in parts and repairs.

[rs4007]

So, 200 miles after the rear near side got replaced and system tested, the rear drivers side has gone, too. HOW ON EARTH can they replace a shock, test the system and not tell another one is about to go!? Anyway, they'll replace this FOC, too, but annoying I got another 2.5 week wait unable to drive my car so soon after the last..

[wrekka]

Yeah it is just a joke. I had all this about "sweating" Three of mine have given up the ghost now! Just one left but my 5 year warranty is now up! oh well did well getting the others done free!

[rs4007]

Don't worry, if the 4th goes, i'm sure they'll pay the majority. Customer services told me, even though the 5 years is up, they'll do a case by case basis... so if you got audi services and problems with the DRC in the past, they'd probbaly look kindly and pay 80-90%... Have a word with them and see what they say if number 4 pops!

[alex020869]

Don't worry, if the 4th goes, i'm sure they'll pay the majority. Customer services told me, even though the 5 years is up, they'll do a case by case basis... so if you got audi services and problems with the DRC in the past, they'd probbaly look kindly and pay 80-90%... Have a word with them and see what they say if number 4 pops!

Would be interesting to see if they honour this if it did happen. I know that i'm new to the Audi scene but it seems to me like the customer service side of Audi isn't what it should be considering the class of product it sells.

Alex

[rs4007]

Update::::

I recently (150 miles ago) had my rear near side shock replaced as part of the Audi 5 year goodwill. Since then, I have driven 150 miles and noticed the characteristic knocking of other failing shocks. At the time of repair, the other 3 were 'sweating' and this was not recognised as an imminent sign of failure and left. I was offered to bring the car back into Edinburgh Audi after 3 months to have the work checked and if there were any problems, they would be repaired under that goodwill as the original problem and work was identified before the 5 year. The car will be 5 years at the end of June. So, I have the car in the Edinburgh dealership now and they say the front 2 shocks need replaced (or 'very close to leaking'), but will only cover 50% of the cost (orginally quoting me the full price). I found this quite odd considering they were going to check and repair any further damage under the goodwill at 3 months, never mind 150 miles. She also said this 'goodwill' was no longer valid. I told her that cannot be the case and suggested she contact Audi Uk for the latest info on this, as I would be doing. The other odd thing was that 'they are very close to leaking'... oh, so now you recognise sweating as a sign of failure.. hmmmm
I have obviously asked Audi UK if they would contact the Edinburgh dealership with the 'appropriate' course of action and goodwill cover regarding my very recent repair and identification of sweating shocks which were apparently not a sign of the imminent failure that proceeded to happen after only another 150 miles on the road.

[rs4007]

So, after another conversation, apparently the '5 year goodwill' for failures ceased to effective from July last year. What has replaced it is a discretional decision at each dealership based on the extent of repair needed and full audi service history..

Since my rear one was rep[laced free of charge, I do not get warranty on that part as paid nothing, but if you pay a nominal %, you will own the 2 year warranty on the parts. After the DRC has been checked, they have suggested, as before, that the front two are sweating, but have not failed, but have offered to replace these 50% covered, about £380 for 2. This woudl laso give me the 2 year unlimited mileage on those front 2 shocks... a good things I thought for peace of mind and for selling on.

Has anyone had this experience yet, of them covering a discretional 50% of the cost of an 'advised' replacement of sweating shocks?