DRC failure - symptoms??????

[MarkyMark01]

My 2006 RS4 B7 has suddenly started handling very soggy, almost as if it is being driven on flat tyres. If I turn hard right the traction control light binks and the car feels very unstable. It seems fine in a straight line, but very 'nervous' when cornering, especially at turn in.
The tyre pressures are fine and all the wheelnuts are tight!
I was wondering if this might be a DRC issue and / or what a failing DRC system feels like?
I have not noticed any leaks on the floor, but it is really hard to get under the car to see the shocks.
Any advice greatfully received seeing as the DRC warranty expires at the end of November.
The car is booked into East Kent Audi on Friday for a quick look, but I'd love a heads up now.
Thanks
Mark

[MB2]

You won't notice any leaks (unless a catastrophic failure) without looking at the shocks themselves. When mine had failed it wasn't that noticeable & symptoms were knocking over bumps & "crabbing" or "juddering" when reversing on full lock, which I wrongly assumed was the quattro system but once DRC was fixed this all went away & the car handled noticeably better as well.

[adsgreen]

grab a torch and camera and have a good look.
Don't be alarmed at "misting" which is where the shock looks damp and dirt has stuck to it.
Look for obvious fluid on the piston arm not so much on the outside casing.

[rs4george]

Hi Mark,
iv just put my car into the dealers thinking the same thing, (that the DRC HAD FAILED) however it appers the hole shock absorber had gone, im not looking forward to the bill. i could have got the DRC paid for on good will, but this is diffrent.

I found a large clear oil stain on my drive way where the shock had failed, when the DRC had failed the last time it was a small clear oil stain.

i hope you get it sorted,

George.

[MB2]

The bill on mine (picked up by Audi) was about 1000 to replace 2 front shocks + regas so hopefully yours will be about 1/2 of this.

[MarkyMark01]

Ouch! thanks a lot for the info - I'll let you know how I get on
Cheers

[MarkyMark01]

The bill on mine (picked up by Audi) was about 1000 to replace 2 front shocks + regas so hopefully yours will be about 1/2 of this.

So Audi picked this up under warranty? Will they pay if it's the whole shock thats buggered?

[MB2]

Mine were leaking & was covered under the 5 year DRC goodwill warranty without any fuss by Audi - just a day to get the parts

[MarkyMark01]

Smashing thanks

[rs4george]

Just got back from Audi my self,
And the good news is that their doing the job under goodwill etc, so im happy with that,result. No charge.
cheers
i hope you get the same.

George.

[adsgreen]

It's good to know that this seems to be holding strong (wrt the goodwill) even on 2006 cars (as mine is one).

However, it may be in your interest to pay a nominal £100 towards the parts - that way you have a warranty on the parts for at least a year irrespective of the existing goodwill and warranty.

[MarkyMark01]

Thanks Adsgreen thats a good idea

[PJC]

Just got back from Audi my self,
And the good news is that their doing the job under goodwill etc, so im happy with that,result. No charge.
cheers
i hope you get the same.

George.

Good result there.

[AlexRS4]

Does anyone know if any of those dealers will take under their wing a non-UK car for the DRC problem?

Audi Italia is amazing at being italian. They never had any instruction on how to clean the carbon buildup and on the DRC they just told me since there is no recall on my chassis number, they can't do anything. Also won't honour their 2year used warranty for anything else because that specific garage does not participate in the program. Their site has a special minisite advertising the used warranty, using the words WARRANTY and they actually answered saying it's an insurance policy, not a warranty.

In reply, I emailed them a DRC goodwill action letter from Audi UK stating the problem and an updated version of the suspension being available, but still no answer. I will be blowing this to Audi Germany in the form of a full physical report, but in the meantime, the car is exactly as it was last week. Take a guess... the mechanic wasn't in all week, so they never touched the car. That just killed me for the weekend... it's so disappointing to be treated like this... seems almost like retaliation...

[MarkyMark01]

Well there is nothing wrong with the DRC system - car went back to Audi for a day, they re-set all the tyre pressures, balanced all 4 wheels and now it's perfect again.
I'm still amazed that this was all it took!
They also reset all the traction control and basically had a proper poke around
Anyway it's back to its old ways now so I'm chuffed
Thanks for all the comments