How many have had shocks replaced

[m5killer]

Hi, I have just gone through the complete forum, and I think that I hav figured out the new problem with my car also. I am hearing a thump or a knock when going over the bumps.....at 1st I had thought that maybe it was because I had some loose bits and bats in the boot, but after clearing it out, I am still getting the knocks.
I have just had the track arms replaced due to the knocking I was getting with the full turn steering locks, now this......In my last audi a8, the complete suspension was replaced. I have an rs4 avant, with 13k on the clock, mostly motorway mileage.
Is the suspension replacement covered under warranty?

Thanks
Shaan

it is covered and join the waiting list for suspension back order, though some dealers have parts most of them say back order germany

[hussains]

Well thats is just awful! I am going tio try and get a courtesy car from the recovery team tomorrow - lets c what they come up with......

[P_G]

As a precaution I had a friend who is an Audi Tech check mine today. There is residue on the front shocks, nothing on the rear, however he was kind enough to show me the Elsawin diagnostics reports and there is one for Audi RS4 shocks on there.

However the diagrams show that your shocks quite literarly have to be covered in hydraulic fluid rather than residue as the latter is 'symptomatic and common of a result of usage combined with condensation and will not affect the normal operating parameters of the part'.

So some who see residue, you'll have a job getting yours replaced, they really have to look soaking wet to be replaced.

Nice to know he did a complete check of my RS at the same time and no faults at this time.

[hussains]

Mine has residue on them, but the worst thing is, when I took it around the block, the whole car was rattling underneath - it just got worse over the last few days....

[P_G]

With those who are having their shocks replced, how bad is the leaking on them. Are we talking a little bit of residue or is it gushing and looks wet?

[S4INT]

Passenger side certainly wasn't soaking wet, just damp, and the drivers side looked dry to me, however Audi say both need replacing.

[ARSEY4]

I wonder if the dealers are a little too quick to replace. It must be a nice little earner for them in warranty work.

[caldy]

Apparently Audi allow their dealers 3 hours to replace a suspension strut under warranty. The strut probably takes no more than 1 hour but the DRC bleeding and recharging is what takes up the time. Have you seen the procedure listed in the manual? Rather them than me.

[OliF-H]

I voted no - but car was up on the ramps today at APS so we had a look - both fronts weeping at 3,500 miles. Weird thing is no knocking or handling issues as yet so may give it a bit longer before I take it in

[jackwood]

Thought I'd add some pics from when the car was on the ramp having the wheels balanced.....

These are pics of both struts. Don't know which pics are which strut, but I think you get the basic idea........











Jack

[P_G]

That is just a little more than what was on mine and I have been advised that that is in normal parameters and the shocks have to be wet looking to be replaced.

No worries there jackwood.

[4wheeldrift]

I voted no - but car was up on the ramps today at APS so we had a look - both fronts weeping at 3,500 miles. Weird thing is no knocking or handling issues as yet so may give it a bit longer before I take it in

Same as mine, 3300 miles on the clock, no knocking but the dealer replaced both front shocks and rear valve. The car feels much better for it!

[jackwood]

P_G, one side is very wet, all the way down to the spring support. The other not so bad. They are both being replaced next week. I hope the change is going to settle the car a bit. Feels very lumpy and tram-lines like a biatch at the moment.

Can anybody tell me yet if a full geo is part of the strut replacement?

[OliF-H]

Feels very lumpy and tram-lines like a biatch at the moment.

ah so I'm not going mad! felt sure mine was tramlining yesterday and it feels very 'heavy' at the front end - almost as if the power steering isn't working properly

[hanbury]

jackwood wrote:
Feels very lumpy and tram-lines like a biatch at the moment.


ah so I'm not going mad! felt sure mine was tramlining yesterday and it feels very 'heavy' at the front end - almost as if the power steering isn't working properly

Hah! Mine was tramlining before I had all four shocks replaced and I haven't noticed it since. I spoke to a couple of more technically minded car nuts who both thought it most likely just to be the low profile tyres but on reflection I think it must have been the shocks which is more of a concern. Previously I had thought the only symptom of the leaking shocks was the knocking but it seems to me that it may actually be having a more serious impact on handling than I originally thought.

Particularly bad news as my front off-side was knocking again less than a week after replacement - back to the shop tomorrow!