DRC question

[NIKKIrsSIXX]

Just been informed by Audi that both front shocks on my saloon are leaking and need replacing. (what a surprise!) Luckily all under Audi warranty.

Does this mean I need to make sure they change all 4 shocks as I gather they are linked diagonally and this is what happened with the C5 RS6?

I dont want half a job doing.

[Outtlaw]

No, I think just the fronts are fine.

[NIKKIrsSIXX]

Many thanks.

[ArthurPE]

actually Audi service stuff says if one leaks, replace the diagonally opposed one also
it will be damaged from the low pressure in that circuit
so you need to do all 4
I think they say to do the pressure canisters also

I'll see if I can find the document

this one says replace the central valve for an obvious leak
http://www.jlosee.com/images/RS4/PDF/DR ... inding.jpg

this one says the same
http://www.jlosee.com/images/RS4/PDF/DRCinfo.jpg

can't find the one that says to replace the diagonal pairs

[NIKKIrsSIXX]

Hmmm. The plot thickens.

Ill ask the appropriate questions when I ring them Sheffield Audi, up in the morning.

[P_G]

When I had my fronts replaced they did not replace the rears but did replace the valves. It is the valves rather than the diagonally opposing shock that suffers from degredation due to pressure change althought they may try and repressurise it with the OEM valves in as some will withstand repressurisation.

They will definitely need your car overnight as they pressurise at the end of the day, leave overnight to settle / test integrity and top up test again in the morning before handing it back.

[Steve_C]

PG, my car is booked in at Hereford Audi on Monday for 3 new shocks and they've confirmed that they will not need it overnight. Are you sure that it should be left overnight for settling purposes?

[Sims]

PG, my car is booked in at Hereford Audi on Monday for 3 new shocks and they've confirmed that they will not need it overnight. Are you sure that it should be left overnight for settling purposes?

Something to do with temperature possibly? Summer ambient temp not requiring overnight stay in a heated garage during winter.

[ArthurPE]

PG, my car is booked in at Hereford Audi on Monday for 3 new shocks and they've confirmed that they will not need it overnight. Are you sure that it should be left overnight for settling purposes?

I have the shop procedure at home, I'll let you know what is says...
but allowing it to stabilize makes sense on face value?

they also are probably being cautious and will check for leaks also...

[P_G]

PG, my car is booked in at Hereford Audi on Monday for 3 new shocks and they've confirmed that they will not need it overnight. Are you sure that it should be left overnight for settling purposes?

They must be confident that when they pressurise it that it will remain at the set pressure then. I was advised mine was needed overnight, would replace the shocks and pressurise, leave overnight to settle / check if there is loss of pressure, check and top up / replace valves if necessary, test drive, check again and then pass completed if everything is OK. Also find out if they have the pressurisation tool and which version its is (should be GEN2) as it is not the same as the one used on the C6 RS6. If they don't it is a sure fire way to know they have not done an RS4 before.

[Steve_C]

Thanks, I'll ask the question of them.

[rs4v8]

No, I think just the fronts are fine.

Until the rears die
Mine died again ast week. Fronts died last year, rears last week. Both times it took two days to fix. IMHO Audi should have replaced all four shocks the first time , particularly when there is a known problem.
Fed up with it now, a car with 21k miles should not drop its oily guts in such a big way, never mind twice. Nearly impossible to defend when they are massively more unreliable (over and above the DRC) than our clio 197 which has never missed a beat in three (thrashed, abused and uncared for!) years.

Have a test drive of an S4 tomorrow when I go to collect mine, if it's even half decent I'll be tempted to get rid.

[Sims]

Sorry to hear of your woes.

The latest gen dampers are supposed to be better, so hopefully the last time you have this issue. But I do agree this is disappointing.

By the end of the 5th year, it is surely reasonable to assume that Audi have had plenty of experience with the RS4 DRC to arrive at a lasting solution and should therefore offer another 5 years or offer to pay for KW's .

[aidanjaye]

Sorry to hear of your woes.

The latest gen dampers are supposed to be better, so hopefully the last time you have this issue. But I do agree this is disappointing.

By the end of the 5th year, it is surely reasonable to assume that Audi have had plenty of experience with the RS4 DRC to arrive at a lasting solution and should therefore offer another 5 years or offer to pay for KW's .

another five years???? I wish but can't see it happening.

[Sims]

another five years???? I wish but can't see it happening.

The 1st 3 years were covered in any event, so Audi offered an extra 2 years.

RS4V8's car is a 2007 car - worse case scenario, he will only have another 20 months left on a system that has proved to be unreliable. And this is one aspect making him rethink his RS4 ownership.

Further, imagine he has to replace the DRC again just before the 20 months are up, does he have any more warranty or not?

Of course, I would be delighted if they had a permanent fix for I do like DRC.