2019 RS5 Sportback suspension(?) issue

[jpenneck]

I have been experiencing an issue recently where I hear a clonking noise from the rear of my car when I drive over uneven surfaces at slow speeds e.g. parking lot cracks etc. My son reckons the shocks are likely leaking and/or there is an issue with the suspension accumulator. Neither of us have had a chance to look under the car yet so figured I would ask here to see if anyone else has had a similar issue...

My car is going into the dealer this Friday and I will report back on what I find out.

[Dr. Jekyll]

Potentially a DRC failure. DRC failures are very common on other platforms, like the B7 RS4. They haven't been as common on the B9, but we're starting to see more of them unfortunately.

That said, it could be some other suspension component, like a sway bar end link. An easy way to tell is to change suspension modes. If the noise goes away or changes (e.g., it's less frequent), then it's likely the DRC. If the noise is the same regardless of suspension mode then it may be another component.

Usually the DRC fails as a result of a leak. But the leak isn't always visible or obvious and some folks have reported DRC accumulator failures (which causes clunking as well) without any visible leaks. So good call on taking it to the dealer to pinpoint the issue.

Please keep us updated. I also have clunking under similar condition and I'm pretty confident it's the DRC. Once I confirm it's the DRC, I'm probably just going to swap it for a KW V3, Abt coilover, or KW V4.

[DCB1951]

I have an occasional passenger who is an ex-mechanic, and when sitting in the RR passenger seat, says that he can hear "noisy" RR strut or "strut-top" when traveling over bumps at low speed. I can't hear it from the driver's seat. At the last service interval just a few weeks ago, I asked the service department to inspect my struts and strut tops. They did (and sent me a video of them inspecting it), and said everything looks fine. Who knows, ...

[zac3707]

willing to bet its the DRC failing, keep us updated

[Helios_RS5]

Sounds like DRC failure, I had the same noise and that was the cause.

[DRZZZ]

I got my 2019 back from the shop yesterday. Same sound. Thankfully still under warranty. Had leaky DRC valves replaced ($4,000!) and new mufflers (due to the noisy exhaust flap).

[jpenneck]

As suspected, it was a DRC failure and both rear shocks need replacement. Unfortunately the car is out of warranty but it's less than 5 years old with only 16k miles as it was driven very little during the pandemic. The price quoted was an eye watering $5300 which obviously promoted some complaints about this excessive repair bill to the service advisor. At my request he is going to see if the dealer or Audi can do anything but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[B6_Dolphin]

The price quoted was an eye watering $5300 which obviously promoted some complaints about this excessive repair bill to the service advisor.

You can get the equivalent of the RS5 Competition suspension for that amount of money (KW4 version):

https://www.kwsuspensions.net/shop?c...135352&pgs=160

[Dr. Jekyll]

As suspected, it was a DRC failure and both rear shocks need replacement. Unfortunately the car is out of warranty but it's less than 5 years old with only 16k miles as it was driven very little during the pandemic. The price quoted was an eye watering $5300 which obviously promoted some complaints about this excessive repair bill to the service advisor. At my request he is going to see if the dealer or Audi can do anything but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Sorry to hear! That price is unfortunately consistent with what I've seen for DRC repairs. Not to mention, I've read about people replacing the dealer-recommended parts only to have the noise remain. So they end up having to blindly replace parts until the noise is gone. It's one thing if you under warranty with the dealer eating the costs. But if you're not under warranty, throwing $5300 at the suspension with no guarantee the noise will be fixed doesn't seem like a great idea. I'm with B6_Dolphin, might as well just swap in the KW V4 setup (i.e., the RS5 Comp suspension). By all accounts it's far superior to DRC, it has a lifetime warranty, and it'll 100% resolve the knocking.

[vexige]

As suspected, it was a DRC failure and both rear shocks need replacement. Unfortunately the car is out of warranty but it's less than 5 years old with only 16k miles as it was driven very little during the pandemic. The price quoted was an eye watering $5300 which obviously promoted some complaints about this excessive repair bill to the service advisor. At my request he is going to see if the dealer or Audi can do anything but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Exact same story... The only difference, the price quoted was $6k+
No point of replacing with factory suspension, in my view. After much research I went with ABT HAS, (sourced by nemesis, who is amazing to work with, btw), which saved me a bundle and was installed couple of days ago. Clearly not enough time/miles yet, but my first impressions are the most positive- knocking and harshness are gone, the car feels better controlled.

[wwhan]

Exact same story... The only difference, the price quoted was $6k+
No point of replacing with factory suspension, in my view. After much research I went with ABT HAS, (sourced by nemesis, who is amazing to work with, btw), which saved me a bundle and was installed couple of days ago. Clearly not enough time/miles yet, but my first impressions are the most positive- knocking and harshness are gone, the car feels better controlled.

So you are still using the DRC dampers, but changed the springs and noise/harshness went away?

[wwhan]

You can get the equivalent of the RS5 Competition suspension for that amount of money (KW4 version):

https://www.kwsuspensions.net/shop?c...135352&pgs=160

But the KW V4 uses a stiffer than OEM spring and lowers the car a minimum of 0.4 inches?

[vexige]

So you are still using the DRC dampers, but changed the springs and noise/harshness went away?

I replaced everything and used included DRC cancel kit to avoid CEL

[wwhan]

I replaced everything and used included DRC cancel kit to avoid CEL

The ABT HAS does not include dampers.

https://www.nemesisautosport.com/pro...ion-b9-chassis

This might be a good alternative: ABT Coilover Suspension System Audi RS 5 Coupe and Sportback (B9/B9.5 MY 2018-2023)

But it has a minimum lowering of 0.4"

[ZacCT]

Same issue on my 19' SB. 40k miles. Going to my indy in a couple weeks for oil change will see whats up with it. I have also read threads about common problems with the bump stops. Keep us updated. I will report back as well.

[jpenneck]

I will have to wait until Monday to see what the dealer comes up with, if anything. I am not interested in lowering the car even half an inch as the sidewalk/curb in my neighborhood are not sloped at all for your driveway and you basically have to drive up a rounded curb to get on your drive which is idiotic. It is already entirely too easy to scrape the front end of the car and I always have to go on or off the drive at an angle.

[vexige]

This might be a good alternative: ABT Coilover Suspension System Audi RS 5 Coupe and Sportback (B9/B9.5 MY 2018-2023)

But it has a minimum lowering of 0.4"

That's what I have

[B6_Dolphin]

I am not interested in lowering the car even half an inch as the sidewalk/curb in my neighborhood are not sloped at all for your driveway and you basically have to drive up a rounded curb to get on your drive which is idiotic. It is already entirely too easy to scrape the front end of the car and I always have to go on or off the drive at an angle.

With either the KW 3's or the KW 4's, since they are coil-overs on the front, and adjustable spring perches on the rear, you can adjust the ride height to your liking.

[wwhan]

With either the KW 3's or the KW 4's, since they are coil-overs on the front, and adjustable spring perches on the rear, you can adjust the ride height to your liking.

Except, both the KW & ABT coilovers specifications indicate they provide a minimum of 0.4 inch lowering. Many people might prefer to have stock height, with NO lowering.

https://www.kwsuspensions.com/produc...-352100cj.html

https://www.kwsuspensions.com/produc...-3a7100cj.html

Front Lowering: 0.4" to 1.2"
Rear Lowering: 0.4" to 1.2"

https://www.nemesisautosport.com/pro...=59e9c482a&pr_

Lowering FA: 0.4 in-1.3 in
RA: 0.4 in-1.3 in

[wwhan]

One might be able to use the 15mm KW spacers, so the ride height could be at the OEM ride height, if the dampers can handle the additional extension?

SPRING SPACER, 15MM: https://www.kwsuspensions.com/produc...-65030045.html

[jpenneck]

Well, I heard back from the dealer this morning and I guess it's my lucky day - Audi is going to cover 100% of the repair! It probably helped that I have purchased 7 Audis in the last 20+ years (including 3 RS models) and have had them all serviced at the same dealer. As you can imagine, I am much happier today than I was last Friday!

[ZacCT]

So.......what was it!?

[jpenneck]

So.......what was it!?

As I mentioned above:

As suspected, it was a DRC failure and both rear shocks need replacement.

[ZacCT]

Gotcha, sorry!

[Dr. Jekyll]

Well, I heard back from the dealer this morning and I guess it's my lucky day - Audi is going to cover 100% of the repair! It probably helped that I have purchased 7 Audis in the last 20+ years (including 3 RS models) and have had them all serviced at the same dealer. As you can imagine, I am much happier today than I was last Friday!

That's awesome news! Congrats!

I doubt I'll be that lucky... I've been TD1 on my suspension (Abt HAS) since 2019. Even if I was under warranty, it would probably be a fight to get a DRC failure covered.

[jpenneck]

Minor update - I still don't have my car back. The dealer has had the car since March 1st and still doesn't have some of the parts. I do not know if this was due to failure to order the correct set of parts or if some are out of stock/delayed. Sigh......

[antoff83]

Hi James! Hope all good with you as you cant said so about the car. Sorry to hear/read about that. Is your car at Audi Denver or you were Prestige customer?


Tony


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[jpenneck]

Is your car at Audi Denver or you were Prestige customer?

Hi Tony,

My car was at Audi Denver and I finally got it back today. After a quick drive home it seems to be driving great again which is a big relief as I didn't have to pay for the repairs! Both rear struts were replaced along with both central drc valves.

[Pandemic]

Do you have a video of the sound? curious if i have the same thing.

[jpenneck]

Do you have a video of the sound? curious if i have the same thing.

No, unfortunately not. It was a pretty noticeable clonking sound coming from the rear of the car when driving at slow speeds, especially over parking lot cracks or concrete expansion joints. The noise went away (as far as I could tell) when driving at faster speeds but it's possible it was just masked by road noise. Trying switching drive modes between comfort & dynamic at slow speeds on uneven road surfaces and see if your noise changes.

[antoff83]

Hi Tony,

My car was at Audi Denver and I finally got it back today. After a quick drive home it seems to be driving great again which is a big relief as I didn't have to pay for the repairs! Both rear struts were replaced along with both central drc valves.

Thats great to hear! They are awesome to work with, I work with Jared and Keith there and if you ever have any issues talk to Keith ,he is great !
Mine is currently at 37,000 mi and I haven’t noticed anything like that. And I run ABT adjusting springs.

Tony


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