Quattro owners - 3.0 TDI Quattro - tyre scrubbing on half to full lock - any ideas?

[Thon]

Hi and thanks for reading this post.
I recently purchased a well-maintained (FSH) 2005 3.0 TDI quattro with a manual 6 speed box and 50K genuine miles. I have found it excellent and even the economy has been better than expected.
The only thing I have a question about is the tyre "scrub" i'm experiencing - or at least I think i'm experiencing. I have had many 4x4's and it feels very similar to my Landrover(s) when driving them with the centre diff locked. It makes the scrubbing noise when on about half to full lock (for instance pulling out from a t-junction). It has done the same with both summer (Contis) and winter (Avon) tyres so I think these are not the cause.
I've read a bit about the quattro system on Wikipedia and it seems like the axle diffs are open (with EDL) and the centre is the "Torsen" system.
I guess my question is really to ask if this is normal to suffer some scrub or should it be as smooth as a 2WD car? Is there anything else it could be?
Any suggestions or comments on your own "quattros" would be gratefully received.
Many Thanks,
Jonathan.

[Hyper-Remaps]

Have had 2 quattros and not had any scrub issues. One thing i did notice is that it did not like different tread patterns on the Axels. So Have always replaces all 4 tyres at once, but saying that they seem to last longer as no wheel spin on front. I would say for piece of mind get the tyre pressures checked, get tread checked and get a 4 wheel laser alingment done. If you are in and around Huddersfield we have a specialist partner that will do it for £50 on trade with a full print out of Camber caster and Toe in/out.

[SebRogers]

Yep, my quattro sometimes makes a kind of 'groan' at half to full lock which I interpret as the tyres scrubbing. It appears to be normal (or at least, a lot of quattro owners experience it). Marginally less noticeable with winter tyres on 16s compared with Contisport 3s on 18s, but not much in it. I don't understand why it should happen, but given that it's a widely shared quattro experience I've stopped worrying about it...

[darich]

Same here

It seems to get progressively worse as the tyres wear.
It feels like the front tyres are being pushed across the ground rather than steer the car, almost like understeer.
Certain tyres seem to experience it more than others.

I've seen other threads on this forum and I think it was referred to as "quattro push".

[Thon]

Many thanks for the advice, Mr Hyper. Both sets of tyres are either brand new (Avons) or a matched set (Contis) and both appear to give the same symptoms. Pressures are meticulously maintained weekly :-) If i were a little closer I would take you up on your kind offer for peace of mind but I think it can wait until the next service where I will take it to a specialist - I believe there is a good one in Woking 5 miles away.

Thanks again.

[Thon]

Hello Seb, I've also since seen a thread with many quattro owners reporting the same symptoms. On the advice of Hyper remaps I will be having a 4-wheel alignment check done at the next service but will stop worrying about it at least as it seems so widespread.

Thanks again for your reply.

[Thon]

"Quattro push" sounds a lot more reassuring than "torsen exploding", which was my worry :-D

Thanks for your reply. I'm obviously not the only one to experience it, which makes me a lot happier.

[Blackrat]

My 3.0 A4 Q has always done this? There are threads on it and I was reassured to find its not just my car!!! Enjoy.....

[texmexrex]

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[CEL555]

Iv'e got a 2005 3.0TDI S Line Manual Quattro and mine does exactly the same :)