Technical Service Bulletin

40 Noises from front of the vehicle when driving - e-tron

40 22 39 2066882/1 April 26, 2022.

Model(s) Year VIN Range Vehicle-Specific Equipment

2019
e-tron
2021 – All Not applicable
quattro
2023

e-tron
2020 –
Sportback All Not Applicable
2023
quattro

Condition
Customer states:

• They can hear rumbling, squeaking, creaking, or similar noises from the front end when driving on uneven
roads.

Workshop findings:

• Noises can be reproduced and are coming from:

1. The guide link hydro bushing. Figure 1 (item 8, marked in yellow), or

2. The drive train (electric motor, gearbox, driveshafts).

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other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without
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Technical Service Bulletin

Figure 1: Guide link hydro bushing, front suspension.

Technical Background
Due to the quietness of the electric drive, noises can be heard more clearly in the interior than they can on
vehicles with a combustion engine.

The rattling/clacking noises made by the guide link hydro-bushing are caused by an air bubble that is
enclosed inside the bushing during the manufacturing process. When vibrations are induced in the axle by an
uneven road surface (multiple brief hard knocks in quick succession), the high-frequency change in the
bushing’s internal pressure causes the volume of the air bubble to change. This can produce rattling/clacking
noises under certain temperature conditions.

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© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without
notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Service Bulletin
Knocking/rumbling noises may occur when driving on uneven surfaces at speeds of < 20 mph; the driver
perceives these noises as coming from the front left. These noises are the result of play in the drive train
(gearbox/gearbox flange/driveshafts) and are often incorrectly assigned to the guide link hydro-bushing or
other suspension components.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
ELSA>>Repair Manual>>Chassis>>Suspension, Wheels, Steering>>Front Suspension>>Lower control arm
and Ball joint.

• Replace the guide link bushing on both sides with guide link bushing part number described in the parts
table below.

Warranty
Claim Type: • 110 Up to 48 Months/50,000 Miles.

• G10 for CPO Covered Vehicles – Verify Owner.

• Use applicable claim types. If the vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical
Service Bulletin is informational only.

Service Number: 4012

Damage Code: 0020

Labor Operations: Replace 2 bushings for lower guide link 4012 5650 See SRT

Perform wheel alignment 4495 0350 See SRT

Diagnostic Time: GFF No allowance 0 TU

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© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without
notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
Technical Service Bulletin
Road test prior to the service procedure 0121 0002 10 TU

Road test after the service procedure 0121 0004 10 TU

Claim Comment: As per TSB 2066882/1

All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and
Procedures Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

Required Parts and Tools

The part numbers mentioned in this TSB are different than the ones listed in ETKA. Only use parts listed
in this TSB, this includes superseding part numbers!

Part Number Part Description Quantity

See ETKA Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws as needed per the See ETKA/ELSA
Repair Manual

4KC407183 Hydro mounting (Hydro bushing) 02

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2066882) are subject to change and/or removal.

©2022 Audi of America, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained in this document is based on the
latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies, and its licensors. All rights are reserved to
make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites without the prior expressed written
permission of the publisher.

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© 2021 Audi of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without
notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.