DRC front shocks rattle!

[bedlamater]

Can this just happen on DRC?

[doodlebug]

Just DRC.

[pule333]

Mine is in having all four shocks replaced under warranty as we speak. This may sound like a silly question, but I presume they will have to remove the wheels to do this? And will have to do a 4 wheel alignment after all work completed? Or will replacing the shocks not effect the alignment?

I suggest deleting your first question before you get flamed
And yes any work on suspension will require alignment. In the ideal world of course

[BenHol]

Mine is in having all four shocks replaced under warranty as we speak. This may sound like a silly question, but I presume they will have to remove the wheels to do this? And will have to do a 4 wheel alignment after all work completed? Or will replacing the shocks not effect the alignment?

Wow

[gorun01]

The Audi serviceman that changed mine claimed that no alignment is necessary when replacing shocks.

btw rattling is back worse than before I need to go back and maybe get a third set...so tedious

[MikeFish]

I wouldn't listen to your Audi service man. I'm not quite sure how you could change the struts without affecting alignment? I would have an alignment done regardless as it was probsbly wrong from factory anyway.

[pule333]

What Mike said.... time and time again i realise it's a good thing I do all my own servicing, repairs and tuning... this so called "professionals" are a laughingstock.

[RSllama]

I have the official line from Liam Bennett (team leader) in Audi UK executive office......'the replacement of the struts to the new modified struts will not solve the problem. The noise is an operational noise of the DRC system and is characteristic of the vehicle. The modified parts for the DRCs will at first seem quiet but after 1000 miles the noise will come back'.

So this is Audi's official line, it doesn't look good for the future does it. It took them 8 months to tell me this after I had complained about the knocking. To justify their ineptitude they then sent me a letter stating this and admitting there was nothing more they could do.

Let's step back a minute, is this the 1970's and these cars are being made in a Leyland factory and cost £1k? I just want to check.

[skirs6]

This sounds very much like the dreaded clicking wheel bearings on the C6. Loads of owners had them replaced but the clicking came back within months.
When I purchased mine it had the clicking bearings but was out of warranty. I had the car three years it never got any worse.

[Markp]

Sadly I can vouch that the rattle comes back within 1000 miles on the modified dampers. Waiting for official response from Audi.

[gorun01]

A quick update, just came back from the dealer after they called me and offered to change the bushes with a new updated stiffer model. Once I took the car there they also decided that the sway bar links needed change too. The car feels very solid now, no rattles in the short drive on my way back. It may ride a bit harsher but that could just be me. Will post another update soon but I really hope that the knocking is gone for good. A friend of mine had the bushes changed on his very rattly pre facelift car last week and claims that his issues were solved too.

[Markp]

Excellent news,. Mine is going back in again in a couple of weeks - hopefully for the same

[vestax32]

I had all 4 shocks replaced under warranty and it's made no difference, if anything the knocking seems worse! Good info, I will be booking it back in.

Gorun01, just to be clear, which bushes were replaced? Also, which dealer was this at?

[Markp]

And let's all feedback like gorun01 - keen to get this sorted once and for all and it is a common problem. So keep us posted on any developments.
Thanks
Mark

[gorun01]

I had all 4 shocks replaced under warranty and it's made no difference, if anything the knocking seems worse! Good info, I will be booking it back in.

Gorun01, just to be clear, which bushes were replaced? Also, which dealer was this at?

Dealer is in Eastern Europe so no use to you. Forgot to ask about which bushes but I presume the ones on the shocks not the control arm ones. Will ask the serviceman tomorrow and let you know.