Drc issues- car booked in

[brettRS4]

I've just spoken to Tyneside Audi and booked car in for drc check. The car is starting to knock more frequent now coming from the front. I'm not wanting to change suspension without checking with Audi first, would like to keep car as original as possible. My car is a June 2006 car which is just out by 6/7 months. The car has been serviced by Audi except when I bought it from stratstone last December. I will keep you updated on how I get on. Fingers crossed...

[Dave7]

Let us know how you get on Brett. I am in the same situation where its started knocking more often...
There mat still be some goodwill even though you're past the 5 years - if you don't ask you don't get...

[Brownies3]

I am in the same boat, knock from the front particularly reversing on lock, car is due its MOT end of this month and I am dreading the bad news from my local Audi dealer when they tell me the extent of any DRC related problems, i suspect the DRC issues will mean the car fails its MOT. The car was one of the first in the country March 2006 so i am outside the good will period yet I have covered just over 40k miles. Good luck anyway Brett I am keen to find out how you get on as this all seems such a grey area that affects an awfull lot of RS4 owners and often at some considerable expense

[brettRS4]

It's getting looked at tomorrow so I will post the news. It has just had the mot done in December at Teeside Audi so if there is problems with the drc or any other parts to do with suspension they should of been picked up, it passed with flying colours, I've only done a couple hundred miles since. Hopefully it will all get sorted.

[brettRS4]

Just had tyneside Audi on the phone they cannot find any problem, they said there is no leaks or sign of damage, I explained about when them knock is definetly there when going over speed bumps, he said he has been over some today and it seems fine. I'm picking it back up on sat so will see if he can come outwith me in the car. I know I'm not exaggerating its definetly there, I had a specialist look at it he said there is definetly something there it was not quite sure as he is a vw man rather than Audi. Is there anything I need to say to them, all I'm thinking is its just out of goodwill anyway but if there is a problem and I leave it it might not be covered. I will let you know how I get on sat.

[adsgreen]

check the steering rack too - esp the three bolts that hold it in place.
Notorious for getting loose and you'll get a clonking through the wheel

[brettRS4]

Ok thanks I'll give them a ring tomorrow. Thanks would there be signs if the drc was failing?

[Chrishumes]

Take it to swift on newbiggin hall mate, guy who runs it is ex audi....he will know i reckon?

[lengster1]

I went through this painfull exercise several times with Hull audi and the complete jockey of a service manager,it went to york audi once say no more,find a better dealer mate

[adsgreen]

Ok thanks I'll give them a ring tomorrow. Thanks would there be signs if the drc was failing?

Two possibles.
1) drc pressure low - expect to pay at least an hours labour for the diagnosis. If its low, get them to recharge. This will need to be left overnight to settle and retest to be done properly.
2) visible sign of fluid on the *inner* silver piston not the outer black casing of the shock.

Audi won't replace just based on knocking.

[brettRS4]

When the specialist looked at it last week he said he could see a. It of oil on shock but he would normally said it was ok, should this be the case? I asked the dealer today if there was any sign of them leaking and he said no. I also asked if the pressure was ok he said the suspension was still firm. I will have to take him round the block to settle it I think, as soon as the specialist heard it he definetly knew what I ment, he thought top arm but they were ok on the ramp. I will see on sat if no joy will try Audi York

[lengster1]

Mine knocked after it had a shock replaced,a visual inspection at an indy without the gear is wasting your time and can done no more than look at the shock for a leak which you can do yourself,the level of oil re filled into the system id critical as is the pressure level but the main dealer rig is the only way check this.There are two re charge system types also the later is the better but you will get fobbed off im sure,the kit is expensive hence dealers reluctance to upgrade if they have early type it makes poor bussiness sense but poor quality service also for owners of the later generation drc cars.Hull 4 and a heap of arrogant tosh along the way to make matters worse,york 1 and fab service allround nuff said

[adsgreen]

Oil on the shock is "ok" depending on where it is.

Oh - just thought of something else... The rubber top mount of the front shock is oil filled. These can split and leak onto the damper and make the damper knock a bit.


This image to me looks like what you'd get if the rubber oil filled mount at the top failed. The fluid is leaking from the top around the outside of the damper. As far as I can find out when DRC fails it's the inner seals that let go so it sholdn't make it to this part of the shock. This isn't a DRC failure and 99.9% won't be covered at all. However labour aside shouldn't be anywhere near the cost of replacing a DRC strut.


This looks to be an extract from the Audi DRC TSB. You can see on the second picture the outer shell casing of the damper covered in a oil residue. Often referred to as "misting" this isn't a DRC failure and is common with all shock absorbers - VOSA MOT guidelines specifically say that a presenting with this condition is not a cause for an MOT advisory or failure.


A leaking DRC shock to be replaced - large obvious wantity of oil leaking from the piston seal down the damper shaft.

Hope that helps.

[Timster]

There are two re charge system types also the later is the better but you will get fobbed off im sure,the kit is expensive hence dealers reluctance to upgrade if they have early type it makes poor bussiness sense but poor quality service also for owners of the later generation drc cars.

I've had this explained to me by a master tech, too. Apparently the Ver2 system also makes it much easier for the garage to both check and or replace individual components within the system.... by isolating the various corners / valves etc. (without the need to discharge to whole lot).

Would make sense to shop around and find a recommended garage, who has the right kit (and knowledge/experience )

[brettRS4]

Ok thanks guys I will see what they say on Saturday, I don't suppose anyone knows who has the Ver 2 system?? I wonder what they would charge for this service?