DRC - definitive list?

[rs4george]

Had my car in for its first MOT this week and was informed that my passenger front shock was leaking, first words out mouth was its a warranty issue, their changing it £850 for the one shock.
any thing else i should be on the look out for??

G.

[rspj]

Have you told garage about knocking i guess now it's out of warranty now have you told them about knocking before ?

[sepangstu]

Firstly, I'd like to say hello. I've been a lurker since ordering my RS4 back in November 2014 that was delivered in March 2015.

I have had the knocking suspension issue since virtually new. I have had the car back 3 times to Aberdeen Audi to finally be told after the third visit that it 'was a characteristic of the car'. Since being told this, I have fully believed that it was just another bullshit excuse (got a similar response regarding the degrading exhaust tips - but that is another story).

Since seeing that people on here have had success in getting possible resolutions by having replacement shocks under warranty; I have since contacted Aberdeen Audi again to get some low down on the Technical Bulletin. And have been told that it only relates to older cars!?!?

Is there any chance that those who have been successful could let us know what year cars they have?? Aberdeen Audi have requested that I make a fourth 70 mile round trip so that they can have yet another look into the issue. I am obviously reluctant to waste my time travelling to the worst placed dealer for weekday traffic outside London to be told again that it is a characteristic of the car. I would ideally like to have some ammo beforehand.

The car is just a couple of percent off awesome, and having this fixed will get it just nearly there.

Thanks in advance

[dan@biali]

Mine is a 64 plate and it was registered January 2015.

[Sammyb349]

So I spoke with Jack Barclay and they are replacing the shock with an updated part which Audi acknowledge some units have been susceptible too. Once this unit is installed they are taking the car for testing again to ensure the knocking noise doesn't remain. If it does they repeat until their 'RS' specialist is happy.

All being okay I hope to get mine back on Monday - so a weeks work all said and told.

@Dan@Baili my suggestion would be to get Aberdeen to call either (a) Audi UK for guidance on this matter and/or (b) one of the garages mentioned in the post so they can compare notes.

Best of luck - Sam

[Silver7]

Mine is a June 2015, both fronts replaced!

[lem]

Mines Sept 2014, with approx 11K miles

Got it back yesterday as it took a little longer to complete ie: shocks were late arriving, DRC machine was playing up.

Both front shocks replaced, DRC re-pressurized, year 2 service completed.

Fingers crossed and so far, no knock even on comfort. A lot quieter and it may be 'subjective' but it does feel more taut and more planted on the road. Either that or the fact I have been driving round in an A1 for 3 days has affected my perception!

Lets hope it stays this way, but it does feel like a different car. If it goes back to any sort of knock they I'm buying an RS6 with air suspension!

[Rich1782]

Stu - mine is a sept 14 plate, front shocks replaced this Aug, failed again in sept! Different knocking this time but ain't right. Sounds like Aberdeen are fobbing you off mate!

[Rich1782]

Forgot to add - took service manager from dealer out for a demo and they agreed, knackered again, booked in next month for further investigation too - zero "characteristic of the car" bull

[dan@biali]

What was interesting when mine was waiting for the new parts was they got superseded whilst on the boat from Germany. That means anyone who has had the replacements before August 2016 is potentially sitting on parts that will need replacing again.

[sepangstu]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will need to get back in touch with Aberdeen and see if I can get a resolution.

[johnnydog]

Have you told garage about knocking i guess now it's out of warranty now have you told them about knocking before ?

On the B7, Audi replaced defective DRC shocks for quite some time after the 3 year warranty had passed, so there is no reason to think that they won't do the same with the B8. If the problem has been reported whilst in the warranty period, then it should be done without any question. As the updated shockers have only just been acknowledged since May as the solution, then I think it would be bad press for them if they did not remedy the problem on any car over three years old.


Mine is a 64 plate 2015 reg car, and ever since I got it I have reported a knocking from the front suspension, more so when cold, and more noticeable from the front offside. The supplying dealer acknowledged the problem and checked the pressure, and then came back with 'it's a characteristic, sir'. My local dealer also acknowledged the symptom was there, but even after two visits with the problem, they stated that they were unable to replace anything under warranty, as shockers replaced on other customers vehicles previously had not cured the problem.

However, it went in last month again for the same knocking noise, and both front shockers were replaced with the new uprated ones, and it is as quiet as a church mouse, even in comfort! Previously, it spoilt the drive of an otherwise superb car, but now it's totally transformed the car! As others have said, I too feel that the front suspension now seems tighter, and I am certain I'm not imagining it. Incidentally, the ride height is exactly the same - haven't measured it, but comparing previous photos, to what it is now, it appears exactly the same.
From the warranty invoice, it appears that the uprated shock absorbers are the same part number, except suffix'd with a letter 'A'.

Well done Audi for sorting the problem! A bit overdue, but still appreciated!

[Sammyb349]

Just got the car back after one and a half weeks and 100miles driven by the garage. So far, so good. It's much more taught in steering and on bumps. Haven't had a bumpy enough road to know that the knocking has gone but fingers crossed.

Wheels all rebalanced too.

Folks at Jack Barclay were very professional and understanding. Experience so far was great and I'll definitely be using them again.

Sam

[innercry666]

My car was delivered March 2015 and I had the front shocks replaced by Nottingham Audi in July. The TPI came out in May.

Interesting that the front shock type has been superceded since I've had mine replaced.

[PSB1]

On parameters for confirmed measurement I'd suggest:

(1) level ground
(2) correct tyre pressures confirmed
(3) wheel size and tyre parameters noted
(4) measurement noted as either pre- or post-drive
(5) DRC Setting confirmed (shall we agree comfort?)

I still need to do this - I've been away, that's my excuse!