Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), Draining And Filling
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Vehicle Diagnostic Tester
- DRC Charging Device :VAS6209
- DRC Charging Device, Pressure Pump :VAS6209/3
- DRC Filling Device :VAS6209/4
- Retrofit Kit, DRC System :VAS6209/5
- DRC System Supplementary Kit :VAS6209/6
- DRC Filling Device :VAS6544
Extracting, evacuating and filling the whole DRC line (lines/shock absorber and central valve) is performed with the :VAS6544 Depending on the DRC system equipment in the dealership, the equipment may need to modified or updated to match :VAS6544 . The following choices are possible:
The :VAS6209/4 serves as an upgrade to the :VAS6209 already found in dealerships.
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- :VAS6209/5
The :VAS6209/5 is needed if the dealership has the :VAS6209/3 and wants to upgrade the :VAS6544 . The :VAS6209/6 is also necessary.
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- :VAS6209/6
The :VAS6209/6 is needed to upgrade the :VAS6209/3 to the :VAS6544 . The requirement is that the dealership already has the :VAS6209 . If the dealership does have the :VAS6209 , then the :VAS6209/5 must also be obtained.
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- :VAS6544
Required Components from the DRC Filling Device :VAS6544
Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC- Not Required
- Not Required
- Charging Hose with Quick-Release Fastener
- Venturi Injector with Drain Hose
- From the DRC Charging Device :VAS6209
- Connecting Hose
- From the DRC Charging Device :VAS6209
- DRC Filling Device :VAS6544
- Used Oil Container
- Empty before starting the work
- Identification: red dot
Updating the equipment for the DRC system must be done one time only. It is not necessary to convert back again. The procedure for draining and filling the complete DRC system is described using the :VAS6544 .
- Only approved oil may be used for filling or refilling. Refer to the Parts Information.
- As a replacement part, shock absorbers and lines are delivered empty.
- Filling must only be performed at ambient temperature of approximately 20 °C (68 °F).
- Lines/shock absorbers and central valves may only be evacuated and filled when they are installed and connected.
- While filling the DRC system, the gas reservoir to the pressure clamps is automatically checked for leaks at the piston in the central valve.
- Valves of filling device are open when ratchet levers are parallel to the flow direction.
- The valves must be kept closed during transport and storing the :VAS6544 .
- Lines must not be bent.
Risk of eye injury.
- Wear protective eyewear!
Before filling the DRC system, make sure the oil reservoir for the :VAS6544 and the line between the pressure pump and oil reservoir are filled with oil.
The used oil container on the :VAS6544 must be empty and must be emptied after each charge.
Drain the Old Oil Reservoir.
-- Remove the cap -arrow- from the used oil container -1- and drain the used oil.
-- Reattach the cap.
DRC Filling Device :VAS6544 Filling and Bleeding
-- Fill the oil reservoir -2- with new oil up to the marking and position the O-ring to the height of the oil level. Refer to the Parts Information.
-- Close the shut-off valve -A and C- on the :VAS6544 .
-- Close the needle valve -B-.
-- Connect the hose -2- to the used oil container -right arrow- and to the quick-release fastener -4- on the :VAS6544 .
Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC-- Connect the Venturi injector -3- to the vent hose on the used oil container -left arrow- as shown.
-- Connect the compressed air to the Venturi injector -3-.
-- Open the locking valve -C-.
-- Open the locking valve -A- for approximately one to two seconds, until the connecting line -1- between the oil reservoir -2- and pressure pump is filled free of bubbles.
-- Close the locking valve -C-. Disconnect the compressed air connector from the Venturi injector.
Extracting/Evacuating
-- Connect the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.
-- Switch the ignition on.
-- Select and start the Diagnostic operating mode.
-- Select the Test plan tab.
-- Select the Select individual test button and select the following tree structure consecutively:
- Chassis
- Suspension control
- 0001 - OBD-capable system
- 0074 - Drivetrain Control Module J775
- 0074 - Drivetrain Control Module functions
- 0074 - Fill DRC (only RS models)
-- Start the selected program and follow the instructions on the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester display.
Risk of eye injury.
- Wear protective eyewear!
-- Turn the front wheel on the side to be evacuated outward.
The DRC system consists of two separate hydraulic systems. The central valves are connected diagonally to the applicable shock absorber.
-- Drain the DRC system as follows:
| Central Valve | Shock Absorber |
|---|---|
| 1 - left | Left front/right rear |
| 2 - right | Right front/left rear |
-- Remove the dust cap -arrow- from the front suction/fill valve.
-- Connect the fill line and quick-release fastener -1- from the :VAS6544 -item 3- DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL (DRC), DRAINING AND FILLING - Charging Hose with Quick-Release Fastener to the front suction/fill valve on the wiring harness to be evacuated.
-- Remove the rear wheel on the side of the wiring harness to be evacuated. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
-- Free up the wheel housing liner for the rear suction/fill valve.
-- Remove the dust cap -arrow- from the rear suction/fill valve.
-- Connect the fill line and quick-release fastener -1- from the :VAS6544 DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL (DRC), DRAINING AND FILLING - Charging Hose with Quick-Release Fastener to the rear suction/fill valve on the wiring harness to be evacuated.
-- Connect the fill lines -item 3- DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL (DRC), DRAINING AND FILLING - Charging Hose with Quick-Release Fastener to the connections -A and B- on the :VAS6544 .
Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC- The shut-off valve -A and C- on the :VAS6544 closed.
- Needle valve -B- closed.
- The hose -2- is connected to the used oil container -right arrow- and to the :VAS6544 -4-.
- Venturi injector -3- connected to the used oil container vent hose -left arrow- on the :VAS6544 .
- Compressed air connected to the Venturi injector -3-.
-- Open the valve -C- until the last of the oil is extracted from the DRC system. (Visible on the return hose -2- to the used oil container).
-- When the pressure manometer shows approximately negative 0.9 bar (13.05 psi), close the valve -C- and disconnect the compressed air hose from the Venturi injectors.
-- Check for leaks.
- Vacuum must be stable for at least two minutes at negative 0.9 bar (13.05 psi).
-- Check the oil level on the oil reservoir, fill with new oil up to the marking if necessary and position the O-ring to the height of the oil level. Refer to the Parts Information.
Filling
The DRC system consists of two separate hydraulic systems. The central valves are connected diagonally to the applicable shock absorber.
-- Fill the DRC system as follows:
| Central Valve | Shock Absorber |
|---|---|
| 1 - left | Left front/right rear |
| 2 - right | Right front/left rear |
-- Open the needle valve -B- approximately two turns and let the oil run out of the oil reservoir on the :VAS6544 into the evacuated DRC system.
Oil flows out of the oil reservoir in the connected DRC system. This is shown by the decreasing the oil level in the oil reservoir. Depending on the amount of oil remaining after extraction, the procedure may take several minutes. As the system fills up, the oil level goes down slower. If the level of the oil no longer moves, the first step of the filling process is complete.
-- Close the needle valve -B-.
-- Open the valve -A- and fill the DRC system to 22 bar (319.08 psi) by pumping the lever on the hand pump -1- several times.
While filling, make sure the oil reservoir on the :VAS6544 does not run dry; fill with reservoir with new oil if necessary.
- When a pressure of 22 bar (319.08 psi) is reached, close the valve -A- and do not pump the hand pump lever any more.
Exceeding the maximum pressure of 22 bar (319.08 psi) does not improve the filling process. Caution! There is a risk of damaging DRC system components as well as the DRC Filling Device :VAS6544 .
If the pressure does not reach 22 bar (319.08 psi) or if it continually drops, check all connections for damage or leaks. If no issues are found on the outside, the gas reservoir to the pressure clamps on the piston on the inside of the central valve is leaking. Replace the central valve.
-- Open the needle valve -B- slightly and let the pressure drop to 16 bar (232.06 psi).
- Close the valve -B- when the indicator on the pressure manometer reaches the 16 bar (232.06 psi) marking.
The 16-bar graduation line on the scale is colored in green depending and the version and model of the pressure gauge. The marking has no meaning for this procedure and should be ignored.
The DRC system is filled.
-- Disconnect the fill line and quick-release fastener on the :VAS6544 -item 3- DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL (DRC), DRAINING AND FILLING - Charging Hose with Quick-Release Fastener from the rear and front suction/fill valve.
-- Mount the rear wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .
-- Install the dust cap for the rear and front suction/fill valve.