Steering Groan & Tyres Scrubbing

[Flakmunky]

Hi,

I have noticed a couple of issues with the steering on my '07 A4 2.0 TDI 140PS...

On full left lock I sometimes hear a groaning sound. I have read the forum and understand this to be a common issue and potentially a new steering rack - indeed the receptionist at my local dealer told me this as well when I booked it in for its first service.

I also have another steerign issue and wondered if it was related to this one?

On full right lock, if the road is wet / snow / icy I can feel what seems like the nearside front tyre 'scrubbing' almost as if it is skidding slightly. I went to a garage to check the wheel alignment and they told me that the symptom didn't sound like wheel alignment, the tyres were wearing evenly and that it might be worn bushes...

Does this sound right for a car that has done 18000 miles? Or is it related to the groaning I hear? If it is the bushes how much to replace?

Thanks in advance,

fM

[urbanaspect]

I've had the same issue with my 07 2.0 sline tdi which has done the same miles.

It happens when I put the lock on to reverse out my drive however I have had my steering rack replaced under warranty.

Could just be the fat 18" wheels rubbing in the arch?

[Flakmunky]

Yes, I wondered about this as well... It only happens on the one lock and only seems to happen when the road is wet or icy, though...

Strange.

[gears]

I get this too. Very weird - it's as if one wheel is lagging behind the other, causing the car to "hop" almost?

[Flakmunky]

Happened again today - definetely not the tyre rubbing against the wheel arch lining... Will ask the dealer when I take it in.

Gears, Urban - do you have the groan as well?

[urbanaspect]

I do have a slight groan but I'll live with it as like I said the steering rack was replaced (previous owner under warranty) to address the problem, probably worse at the time.

Pulling out again today (pouring down!) I had the same sensation.... reverse out full left lock, then full right lock pulling forward its as if the rear wheels are juddering as it turns - maybe the road surface is contributing? Seems like the rears on mine though...

[gears]

Happened again today - definetely not the tyre rubbing against the wheel arch lining... Will ask the dealer when I take it in.

Gears, Urban - do you have the groan as well?

No groan - just that one wheel seems to turn more than the other under full lock, which causes one of the wheels to drag. I've been told this has something to do with the Ackerman Principle...

http://www.davehaughey.ca/ack1.htm
http://www.rctek.com/handling/ackerman_steering_principle.html

Basically when you turn, one wheel should turn more than the other as the second wheel has to travel a greater distance than the first. If this isn't set right you can end up with this dragging effect, which is what some of us are experiencing. It relates to this other post by the looks of it...

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=23616

[ukbatman]

Hi

I have had the same fault on both of my A4 2.0 Tdi vehicles, it turned out to be a faulty steering rack.

It should be covered under warranty

[gears]

I'm awaiting a response from several Audi garages in the area on this one. One says that they'll check the technical messages to see if they're aware of the issue, another says "bring it in, we'll have a look".

How long is the warranty by the way ?

[ukbatman]

I'm awaiting a response from several Audi garages in the area on this one. One says that they'll check the technical messages to see if they're aware of the issue, another says "bring it in, we'll have a look".

How long is the warranty by the way ?

3 Years or 60k miles

But if its a known issue you can ask for warranty split.

there are documented cases of this fault they should fix it

[gears]

Ah.. It's two years old and has done 62,000 - that's OK isn't it ?

[ukbatman]

Ah.. It's two years old and has done 62,000 - that's OK isn't it ?

Maybe / Maybe not

if its been serviced by audi for all the 62000 miles you might get away with it

if not

you might be facing a bill

[gears]

Yeah, serviced all the way by the same Audi garage.

[ukbatman]

Yeah, serviced all the way by the same Audi garage.


Good luck then.

Give them a call and see what they say

[Flakmunky]

I didn't know it was called the Ackerman principle, but I figured there would have to be a different steering angle... Which is why I thought at first that it was the wheel alignment...

Anyway, it seems that many have the problem and the fix is a steering rack. Car is getting its first service on 23rd (£250) December and they will investigate.

Thanks,

fM

[Flakmunky]

Hi,

Just an update, Audi are fitting a new steering rack and "pipe" under warranty.

Thanks for your help,

fM

[cumbosid]

Does anyone know for certain from any audi dealer what the clunking on full lock on the a4 is ? Ive had mine in three times upto date and keep getting fobbed off as the fault is a characteristic of the car ! this is not good enough and action needs to be taken.