CARDAN SHAFT (propshaft) BOLT FAILURE

I'm curious as to if this has happened to a standard RS 3 ?
 
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Everything I've found to date with both the TTRS and RS3 with 7-speed S-Tronic and launch control (LC) suggests bolt failure across the threads in the 'fixed' coupling seat - as shown:

BOLT2XX


Other failures have been both centre bearing and twisted cardan-shaft and that again is excessive torque; Nm and not PS. It does appear that where the bolts don't break then the shaft twists/distorts: gone are the days when you could SPIN the wheels to release all that lovely TORQUE; it now just GRIPS...

Excessive use of launch control (LC) needs to be avoided, something were were told authoritatively at an Audi Experience day at Silverstone (Frank Schmickler) earlier this year, and I think we now know why...
 
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Great work John. Feel free to include me in conversations with Audi as another concerned owner you have contact with.

If tolerances have been exceeded by aftermarket enhancements then I can't see Audi doing anything,
that said if an owner chooses to use LC (there is no limits or warnings in the manual for its use) or fit the car with correctly sized "sticky" tyres with increased grip like MPSS, then the car should robust to cope with it and be fit for purpose.

LC use should not be detrimental to the cars health, otherwise why fit it.
 
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Everything I've found to date with both the TTRS and RS3 with 7-speed S-Tronic and launch control (LC) suggests bolt failure across the threads in the 'fixed' coupling seat - as shown:

View attachment 45069

Other failures have been both centre bearing and twisted cardan-shaft and that again is excessive torque; Nm and not PS. It does appear that where the bolts don't break then the shaft twists/distorts: gone are the days when you could SPIN the wheels to release all that lovely TORQUE; it now just GRIPS...

Excessive use of launch control (LC) needs to be avoided, something were were told authoritatively at an Audi Experience day at Silverstone (Frank Schmickler) earlier this year, and I think we now know why...

Fair play to you John on the work you put in to addressing the issue ,it seems using LC is a recipe for disaster but im sure you can sort something out, then you'll be cooking with gas
25r2r02.gif
.It looks like your computer may have a virus there seems to be a rash all over your latest drawing.
 
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I think the issue is some people have no grasp of mechanical sympathy........

Emailed Audi CS today to log my concerns.
 
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Seen this on another thread :-
There was a strengthened Cardan Shaft for the TTRS, I assumed it was the same part on the RS3 too? Clearly several design flaws, as they are breaking front, centre and rear. Not just in one isolated location. Thankfully ive not heard of any diffs being destroyed in the process...
 
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Reading all this stuff plus the on going brakes issues are seriously putting me off my rs and audi in general, can't really enjoy it anymore as I am starting to get paranoid about something breaking every time I drive it.
 
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The TTRS came out well before the RS3.

So it might be the RS3 already has the uprated cardan shaft, based on the findings of the earlier TTRS models.
 
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And the TTRS runs 9-inch rims with 255 tyres, think about it...

As for BLUEY: superb with perfect brakes and NO other issues; love it, we'll be keeping it a long time...

And in yesterday's copy of The Times a photograph of the DK Engineering family who originally specified/ordered my Audi RS3:

DK Eng family Capture

I cannot thank these guys enough for making available to me a fabulous motor car....:hi:
 
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If there is an issue that could affect a "standard" car it should be dealt with by Audi, can't understand why people would want to swap the existing bolts for anything else, can't imagine Audi looking on any warranty claim where uprated bolts have been used as these would be classed as a modification.
 
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The TTRS came out well before the RS3.

So it might be the RS3 already has the uprated cardan shaft, based on the findings of the earlier TTRS models.

I would doubt it as I don't think these problems came to light until after the rs3 was released
 
Had a call from Audi CS today

They aren't aware of any issue with 'standard' RS 3 prop shaft bolts.

There are no updated bolts or components either for the RS 3 or TTRS

But saying that I'm not aware of any standard RS 3 that has had an issue.
 
There has been at least one standard car to have a failure, reported on another forum.

But that could happen on any car and the numbers of failures on standard cars are still very low.
 
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Yep have also heard of standard cars that it happened too, remember a chap with an rs3 that only had 300 odd miles on it. Same story with someone with a tt rs plus.

Audi talking b*llocks as usual, the tried to do the same thing when it came to the squealing brakes fix :D
 
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Yep have also heard of standard cars that it happened too, remember a chap with an rs3 that only had 300 odd miles on it. Same story with someone with a tt rs plus.

Audi talking b*llocks as usual, the tried to do the same thing when it came to the squealing brakes fix :D

Spot on billyali86 ,I'm another one that don't believe a word they say,as I've said in previous posts,problems with no solutions is par for the course with Audi Its just the tip of the iceberg the cases that are reported on forums .These propshaft issues are going to turn into the same fiasco as the squeaky brake syndrome did ,the worst part about it is lots of cars will be out of manufacturers warranty and could leave owners with a large bill.
 
Spot on billyali86 ,I'm another one that don't believe a word they say,as I've said in previous posts,problems with no solutions is par for the course with Audi Its just the tip of the iceberg the cases that are reported on forums .These propshaft issues are going to turn into the same fiasco as the squeaky brake syndrome did ,the worst part about it is lots of cars will be out of manufacturers warranty and could leave owners with a large bill.

Audi Glasgow however did acknowledge the problem with my tt rs and covered the price of the propshaft. However, think this was more to do with the head of service there. Very nice fellow!

When it came to the brakes I had to turn to Audi customer services as Glasgow Audi kept denying any knowledge of it
 
Just obliterated the front coupler on my A3 TDI Quattro (Manual) with a semi aggressive launch.

Stuff happens