Avant Pano Sunroof Creak

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-07-2011 10:03 AM

Well, the B8 is at Pacific Audi as of this morning because of a constant creak in the pano-sunroof. What a total bummer. It started out as a kind of crack/whack/smack or some sort of noise when we pulled into the driveway yesterday (at an angle of approach that is no different than we ever have, although it wasn't dead on). Now it creaks a bunch - slow speed, fast speed, etc. I don't like that! More than anything, I want to make sure the seals didn't break loose or anything, so that it will/could leak, but I'm hoping they can eliminate the noise as well.

Any thoughts, experiences from anyone?

Will report back when I hear more from the shop.

This was my loaner while she's being worked on...

**CurbKiller** · 03-07-2011 10:13 AM

I had the same thing on my Avant and it was fixed in no time at all. IIRC they tightened up a few sections of it and was returned me to in perfect working order. They didn't have to replace or remove anything.

I hope it's the same with yours.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-07-2011 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by CurbKiller

I had the same thing on my Avant and it was fixed in no time at all. IIRC they tightened up a few sections of it and was returned me to in perfect working order. They didn't have to replace or remove anything.

I hope it's the same with yours.

Good to know. I figured it may be a track issue, where they needed to tighten up the screws or something. Maybe a screw broke off?

How bad was your creaking noise? I'm worried they'll get in there and just say, eh, it's nothing - or that they can't hear it. LOL Sometimes, these techs drive me crazy.

**Speedybrit** · 03-07-2011 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by SoCalS4Avant

Good to know. I figured it may be a track issue, where they needed to tighten up the screws or something. Maybe a screw broke off?

How bad was your creaking noise? I'm worried they'll get in there and just say, eh, it's nothing - or that they can't hear it. LOL Sometimes, these techs drive me crazy.

I hate when the problem you have just "disappears" when you take the car in to get checked out. This happened with my dad's B6 A4 when the drivers window would go up and down by itself and would creak but it would never do it at the dealer until i took a video of it for proof.

**CurbKiller** · 03-07-2011 12:20 PM

I was fortunate that my dealer was able to hear it. Like you, I had to take a curb on an angle to make the noise at low speed but hitting anything other than a small ripple on the road at higher speeds would do it also.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a TSB out for it.

On a side note, does your sunshade sometimes not fully close? i.e. you hit the close button only to have it bump at the end and retract about a foot? Mine was doing this too. The dealer knew of the issue and cited a TSB for it. Problem was solved in a few mins.

The tech who worked on my car was very meticulous in ensuring everything lined up and was working properly.

Fingers crossed for you :)

P

**RaudiA4INCHATT** · 03-07-2011 12:47 PM

Ok, is it just me or does this B8 A4 Avant look like an A3???

DAMN it! Just finished reading the post. My bad!!! Best of luck getting the Avant fixed!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-07-2011 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by CurbKiller

I was fortunate that my dealer was able to hear it. Like you, I had to take a curb on an angle to make the noise at low speed but hitting anything other than a small ripple on the road at higher speeds would do it also.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a TSB out for it.

On a side note, does your sunshade sometimes not fully close? i.e. you hit the close button only to have it bump at the end and retract about a foot? Mine was doing this too. The dealer knew of the issue and cited a TSB for it. Problem was solved in a few mins.

The tech who worked on my car was very meticulous in ensuring everything lined up and was working properly.

Fingers crossed for you :)

P

Interesting about the TSB. With my SA was checking the car in, she noted that there were a couple TSB's for the sunroof. I assume that's the ones you were talking about as well, and as I've noticed the sunshade issue, hopefully that will be fixed also. You're right about the drive/curb angle as well as most any other bump!

As an update - It seems they figured out what the issue was, but they said they needed to order a part (???). They'll be keeping the car for the day and into tomorrow, so I'll have my A3 for a little while. Fortunately, I got the loaner. At one point I had balked at getting one...and now I wish I'd opted for the Q7 S-Line that was there! Or maybe not, with gas prices.

Still hoping it all works out. I'll be making sure that when I pick it up, I take a drive around the block and make sure it's completely fixed. It'll be easy to tell.

Originally Posted by RaudiA4INCHATT

Ok, is it just me or does this B8 A4 Avant look like an A3???

DAMN it! Just finished reading the post. My bad!!! Best of luck getting the Avant fixed!

LMAO! Had you not corrected yourself, you were going to get a lot of crap, my friend! Yes, that's my A3 LOANER!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-09-2011 02:04 PM

Oy. Two days later, and I just picked up the car. I can tell you that it's quiet as can be inside, though. No more squeaks, rattles, creaks, or anything. They checked a couple TSB's, applied whatever it was from them, tightened everything up, lubed up the sunroof rails...and apparently, she's good to go.

I didn't get to talk to the tech, but I have a call in. I wanted to hear from him directly what he did to help any of you out that may experience similar issues.

**CurbKiller** · 03-09-2011 08:03 PM

Glad to hear it all got fixed up!

I hate rattles...

**joeyo** · 03-09-2011 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by CurbKiller

Glad to hear it all got fixed up!

I hate rattles...

x2. Rattles are especially frustrating on a brand new car.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-10-2011 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by CurbKiller

Glad to hear it all got fixed up!

I hate rattles...

Originally Posted by joeyo

x2. Rattles are especially frustrating on a brand new car.

Thanks, guys. Yeah, rattles on a brand new car? Not cool!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-16-2011 04:30 PM

Update: car's back in the shop. The creaks are back, but not as pronounced. What is pronounced, and very bad, is a creak/crack type noise upon turning into a driveway or somesuch at an angle - i.e. when the car is flexing. It's super loud. My dealer has confirmed there's a problem (duh!), and has been talking with Audi directly. Seems possible we may be getting a new pano-roof.

We'll see. I'll keep everyone up-to-date.

**BMWBig6** · 03-17-2011 09:11 AM

Thanks for the blow-by-blow update. Do you know if they had to take down your entire headliner to access the pano sunroof? Or was Audi smart and made it all accessible from above? (Like, the whole cartridge comes out in a big frame from the top of the car without having to pull down the headliner.) The minute they start messing with the headliner, you can introduce collateral damage in the form of new creaks/squeaks!

**GQ//S4** · 03-17-2011 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Speedybrit

I hate when the problem you have just "disappears" when you take the car in to get checked out. This happened with my dad's B6 A4 when the drivers window would go up and down by itself and would creak but it would never do it at the dealer until i took a video of it for proof.

Best dealership I ever dealt with was regarding my auto-transmission in the Acura TL I had at the time. The problem wouldn't replicate during the drive, and the mechanic said, "well, you said its there, leave it here and we'll put a new transmission in under your warranty". It was great!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-17-2011 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by BMWBig6

Thanks for the blow-by-blow update. Do you know if they had to take down your entire headliner to access the pano sunroof? Or was Audi smart and made it all accessible from above? (Like, the whole cartridge comes out in a big frame from the top of the car without having to pull down the headliner.) The minute they start messing with the headliner, you can introduce collateral damage in the form of new creaks/squeaks!

To be honest, Ben, I'm not sure. I have to think that they dropped the pano-roof right in from above, and that it's accessible that way (removing the glass). From what I've seen when the roof is open, that'd be the best way to get to the rails and such. When it was in the first time, one of the TSB's called for lubing the tracks because of closing/opening issues, as well as some other minor fixes. With all the fingerprints on my roof around the pano/glass, I'd have to say that's the way they were going in.

Trust me, if the headliner gets goofy, that's the next reason it'll be in the shop!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-17-2011 01:43 PM

Argh! I'm about to have some trouble with AOA.

The dealer states that after talking with Audi, Audi claims that it's a "normal" issue relative to the pano-sunroof and flexing in/out of a driveway. They said they drove other ones, and got the same thing. I don't believe that. I told them that this issue just started over a week ago, and that I've been driving in/out of driveways all the time without issue until recently. I told them they'd have to prove to me that this is normal (i.e., that all other avants with pano-roofs do the same thing). Otherwise, we're going to have problems.

Thoughts, fellas? This can't be normal.

**JOS4AUDI** · 03-17-2011 02:21 PM

That doesnt sound right to me Dan. We dont have an avant (unfortunately) obviously its a whole different car, but our Q5 has a pano roof. It makes no noises at all. I even recently checked it after this thread you made. I hope you figure it out , keep us updated?

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-17-2011 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by JOS4AUDI

That doesnt sound right to me Dan. We dont have an avant (unfortunately) obviously its a whole different car, but our Q5 has a pano roof. It makes no noises at all. I even recently checked it after this thread you made. I hope you figure it out , keep us updated?

Thanks, Jeremy. I'm gonna press the issue with them, and hard. I can't believe they'd try and tell me it's normal. I think Audi needs to actually hear the noise...THEN tell me it's normal! LOL

**joeyo** · 03-17-2011 03:53 PM

Idk man, the avant loaner I had for a few days didn't creak. Seems like BS to me, especially considering your car just started doing it.

**BMWBig6** · 03-18-2011 08:31 AM

My 2009 Avant doesn't creak either, and I enter driveways at 45 degree angles all the time (without attempting to line up the car exactly perpendicular so both front wheels hit at the same time). I would think those kinds of angles would cause the most twisting action and creaking.

**rippin'av** · 03-18-2011 11:33 AM

No creak from mine...I smell BS.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-31-2011 09:04 AM

Bumping this up.

So, I picked the car up from the dealership nearly two weeks ago. They stated at the time that it was "normal," and there was nothing more they could do about it. The Service Manager and I took a spin around the block, and the car was performing fine. Whatever they'd done had eliminated the issue...for a while. I took the car home and have been driving for nearly two weeks on it. For two weeks, the problem seemed to have gone away. No creaks, and certainly no pop/crack as the car flexed into the driveway. Good news, right? Well, not so much. In the last couple days, the pop/crack when turning into a drive has come back, and the creaking has returned as well. I've called another dealership to get a second opinion, and will be taking this about as far as I can go in order to get it fixed.

Updates to follow. Man am I frustrated!

**MiracleWhips** · 03-31-2011 10:28 AM

Keep on them, all you can do.

Good luck!

**SoCalS4Avant** · 03-31-2011 04:05 PM

Appointment on Monday with the Service Manager and a representative from AOA to take a look at it. Keep the fingers crossed, fellas.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 04-04-2011 01:08 PM

Blah!

Well, went to the dealer today...and apparently, Audi has a semi-serious design flaw going on. All vehicles with pano-roofs (A4, Q5, and Q7) have potential for this problem. As the temperature gets warmer, the joints tend to expand a little and the pano-roof, when flexing, gives a little "pop" or "crack" type noise. Cooler temps, no problems. While it doesn't happen to ALL pano-roof Audis, it is happening enough to be considered "normal" by them. I was in a Q7 that was doing the same thing - it was newer than mine. There were a couple A4's, also, that were similar. Be prepared folks. It tends to be more apparent with the lower (to the ground) vehicles, and those that have the sport package, as they flex more when entering steeper drive approaches.

Of note, is that it doesn't happen when the roof is open...so I'm going to have them check out an angle related to the track and see if the glass isn't sitting properly in the track, and/or whether the track itself may be out of whack.

As always, I'll be documenting this matter and keeping you all informed.

**quattrovant** · 05-18-2011 09:43 PM

SoCal
I live in TO/Westlake area NW of LA and have 2010 A4 Avant w Sport Package and the Pano does similar to yours of creeps or pops above frt passenger side on irregular usually right turns or drive turns that will tend to have a slight body stress. It drives me crazy. Two weeks ago my Rusnak service guy says its common and can lube it up to solve. In my opinion, it is a common manufactured defect but is a "Normal" complaint to the dealer................BS. I have done nothing yet, but would like to hear your feedback on how is it going on your end to help me go forward with this annoying little crick.
Thanks

**SoCalS4Avant** · 05-19-2011 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by quattrovant

SoCal
I live in TO/Westlake area NW of LA and have 2010 A4 Avant w Sport Package and the Pano does similar to yours of creeps or pops above frt passenger side on irregular usually right turns or drive turns that will tend to have a slight body stress. It drives me crazy. Two weeks ago my Rusnak service guy says its common and can lube it up to solve. In my opinion, it is a common manufactured defect but is a "Normal" complaint to the dealer................BS. I have done nothing yet, but would like to hear your feedback on how is it going on your end to help me go forward with this annoying little crick.
Thanks

We'll have to get together and compare notes.

Mines in the shop right now for the 15k service, and I told them to keep working on the pano-roof. It's been less pronounced of late, but it still exists. I truly do believe it's a factory defect, but I have to think there's a solution. When I've had it in to be worked on before, and they've lubed the hell out of it - it doesn't creak/pop/crack for a least a couple weeks if not more. So, that lends me to believe something can be done.

We definitely have the same issue, though...the right turn, the flex, the noise. Damn you Audi!

**piotrowr** · 05-19-2011 11:19 AM

Mine will have, once in a while, maybe once per week, a creak but more of a snap sound. It does not always occur when going up a turn and will happen randomly here and there. It does not bother me too much due to the low frequency and I kind of understand the need for it to expand and contract from temperature changes. Hopefully it will not get worst but did notice it happening more as spring and summer roll in.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 05-19-2011 11:49 AM

Seems like the same thing. The snap is what happens when it flexes.

**yannb** · 05-19-2011 04:12 PM

I have a 2010 a4 avant that was experiencing the same problem. I brought it in a few weeks ago for them to fix the problem. They put in some special lubricant and the problem went away. It has since come back and is at the dealer today, they can repro the problem and are keeping it overnight so they can work on it tomorrow. I have 25k miles on the car since last april.

Hopefully they resolve it but not holding my breath.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 05-19-2011 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by yannb

I have a 2010 a4 avant that was experiencing the same problem. I brought it in a few weeks ago for them to fix the problem. They put in some special lubricant and the problem went away. It has since come back and is at the dealer today, they can repro the problem and are keeping it overnight so they can work on it tomorrow. I have 25k miles on the car since last april.

Hopefully they resolve it but not holding my breath.

Welcome to Audizine, Yan. Apparently this club of sunroof-problem-Avants is getting bigger.

A small update. Spoke with my Service Manager, and he said he replicated the issue on-demand. He says it's the same issue everyone else is having. Told me that he had a guy with an Avant with the same setup as mine (2010 sport pack, blah blah), and they replaced the roof three times - still made the noise. Guy traded it in, apparently. LOL They're going to lube the hell lube the hell out of it, and get it to subside for a while.

I told him that I would keep bringing it up and documenting it, so that if/when Audi decides they may do something about it (if there's anything they CAN do about it), I'll have my ducks in a row.

**quattrovant** · 05-19-2011 04:47 PM

Yes, The dealer told me the fix would be this special porsche lubricant.....yada yada......As far as service advisors go, I believe I deal with a very knowledgable service advisor, and many times he is in the dark by lack of communication with technicians, TSB's or he is one incredible BS'r, in which they are trained as well. Sometimes you have to get answers the hard way by escalating your not satsified sincerety....by try coaching the advisor and just ask the Senior tech to come to the front or vysa versa.. like right now...If that doesn't work lets see who the Service Manager is and talk to him/her and of course diplomacy and politness are always a better way to go as well...
Knowing your dealership chain of command is important...They all have customer "Service Level Agreements" with Audi and their respective departments get rewarded or hands slapped by $$$$ and new units to sell.

**yannb** · 05-20-2011 10:02 PM

Picked up my car this evening from the dealership. They said they resolved by putting the lubricant in a bunch of different places until it stopped making the noise. Sure enough, as I pulled out of the dealership, I heard the sound. Drove around and didn't hear it. Drove home and didn't hear it. Usually, the road leading up to my house causes the sound to occur. Didn't hear it. Keeping fingers crossed. Service adviser also mention that they found a couple of TSBs regarding the noise and they followed the recommendations.

On another note, I checked the oil level via the mmi and it said to drain out some of the oil. Apparently they overfilled it. Arghhh. Will have to go back tomorrow and deal with it.

Yann

**SoCalS4Avant** · 08-30-2011 08:09 AM

A bump up to keep this post relevant, and to give a quasi-update.

As I move towards 20k miles, I've noticed a marked improvement in the noises that have been coming (or not coming actually) from the pano roof. As of the last month (maybe two even), I've not heard any creaks, groans, pops, or anything else for that matter.

This leads me to believe: 1) the issue has resolved itself, in that it's finally adjusted to the point that it has settled and no longer moves, 2) the heat we've been experiencing in Southern California has warmed up the seals and such that it's expanded to accomodate the pano roof and it isn't able to move anymore (which also means as temperatures drop in the coming months, it may return), or 3) I've just grown so accustomed to the sounds that I don't hear them anymore (not likely).

**hawc1506** · 09-19-2011 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by SoCalS4Avant

A bump up to keep this post relevant, and to give a quasi-update.

As I move towards 20k miles, I've noticed a marked improvement in the noises that have been coming (or not coming actually) from the pano roof. As of the last month (maybe two even), I've not heard any creaks, groans, pops, or anything else for that matter.

This leads me to believe: 1) the issue has resolved itself, in that it's finally adjusted to the point that it has settled and no longer moves, 2) the heat we've been experiencing in Southern California has warmed up the seals and such that it's expanded to accomodate the pano roof and it isn't able to move anymore (which also means as temperatures drop in the coming months, it may return), or 3) I've just grown so accustomed to the sounds that I don't hear them anymore (not likely).

I have a B8 A4 sedan without pano and it makes the same flexing/creaking noise. Sometimes it sounds like a pop. Brought it to the dealer for my 25,000 and they couldn't figure it out without taking apart the headliner...I didn't proceed with that, and I'm hoping some of you might have the answer.

**Jprieur** · 09-19-2011 09:00 PM

I have had the same issue on my 2011 A4 Avant - with only 2500 miles. The noise started within the first 1000 miles, drove me nuts at first as I could not pinpoint the issue. Sounded like two pieces of plastic coming into contact/clicking with one another. Sometimes its a constant - other times its dead silent. Seems to be worse over smooth concrete roads as the body flexes over expansion joints.

Brought it into the dealer and they dropped the headliner and added some 'insulating strips'. When I picked up the car the noise was finally gone, only to return within 50 miles - albeit somewhat attenuated. Called them to resked to bring it back in and I hope then can remedy this time. I am not sure how many times you can pull off the pillar trim and headliner before it won't go back on as tight and more rattles surface.

It does drive me nuts, but other creaks and rattles are already surfacing and beginning to drown out the pano roof clicking/creaking. Not impressed with interior integrity and build at all in this car to develop so many noises so early on. Shutter to think how loud I will have to crank the stereo when it has 45k+ miles on it. Thank god for the B&O.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 09-20-2011 08:17 AM

Welcome to the club, J. The headliner issue is one of the reasons that I've decided I will likely "live with it." There's no way I want them to drop the headliner and risk it never fitting the right way again.

I'm used to cars with creaks - having owned many trucks/SUV's, but I expected more from Audi (for some reason!). That said, do a little research on the pano roofs that Mercedes offers, and you'll feel a TON better. Their issues have been going on much longer, and are seemingly much worse.

**cory_can** · 09-20-2011 08:27 AM

I wonder if Audi made a manufacturing change after 09 on the Avant's pano roof or body structure...? All the 09 Avant's are reporting zero noise from the roof (me included) while it's very common with MY10/MY11's.

**SoCalS4Avant** · 09-20-2011 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by cory_can

I wonder if Audi made a manufacturing change after 09 on the Avant's pano roof or body structure...? All the 09 Avant's are reporting zero noise from the roof (me included) while it's very common with MY10/MY11's.

Interesting though, Cory. I'll have to look into that a little.