New Audi owner with a problem - Steering issue

[Mustybadger]

Hi all,

I recently purchased (wednesday of last week) an Audi 2.0 TDI S Line 170 2009. While I absolutely love the car there is a pretty substantial problem with the steering.

On the test drive, i'll admit, I was probably a bit biased and i didn't pick up on the issue to a large extent, but the more i drive the car the more concerning it gets. I also have a work colleague that owns the exact same model, same year etc...and their steering is completely different to mine.

For starters, the steering is fairly heavy (and in comparison to my colleagues, extremely heavy). The second, and much more concerning issue, is when driving at slightly higher speeds on A Roads and motorways. The steering seems to sometimes have a mind of it's own. I'm constantly having to correct the steering and occasionally it will veer to the left or the right (not sharply, but enough for me to have to overcompensate). When braking hard the nose of the car refuses to stay in a straight line and will need constant correction.

If i had to describe it, if often feels as though i'm driving through ice patches or shallow puddles, but on a completely clear, dry road. I've also noticed that if the car happens to catch a cat's eye in the middle of the road it will pretty consistently throw the steering off and i'll have to re-correct.

I've already had the tracking done, and the front left wheel was slightly off camber but nothing concerning. I've also checked the tyre pressures which are (now) fine. I'm guessing something could be wrong with the steering rack or similar (i'm pretty hopeless with cars, admittedly).

Does anyone else have any suggestions I could put forward to the mechanics when I take it back under warranty? I don't really want them fobbing me off with this one because at the moment i'm really reliant on my car but it's almost undrivable.

Thanks for any help!

[Alan02]

When you had your tracking checked i would have thought a basic check of ball joints / steering joints should have been done??
Get these checks done first to see if any issues, then check the rack and pump for the heavy steering issue.

[Redders2]

Just wondering what size wheels you have on? I'm sure I've read something somewhere about the low profile wide tyres doing similar on the black editions. Mine sometimes has a mind of its own!

[Redders2]

Tramlining - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SBC]

Interesting point by Redders; my Black Edition has really wide, low profile 19s, and i found it a 'strange' drive to begin with (i was coming from a nippy VW Golf). As you describe, it feels quite heavy at times, like you have to kinda 'pull' it around some corners. What way are your tyres? Mine are in bad need of changing and i'm hoping that this will go along way to sorting any 'strangeness' out. That said, you seem to be experiencing a more pronounced experience. Hopefully it's nothing too serious. You're lucky you have a warranty!

SBC.

[Pork]

Tyres can make a huge difference (ie the type)
I had some continental sc2's on my B7 and it was scary when you ran over those tar strips they patch the road up with, the car would veer out of the lane.
you might try swapping front and back wheels?

[Lemonslap]

Do you have ADS in your car? There have been reports of this type of issue with the dynamic steering setup.

[Mustybadger]

Turns out that before the re-seller sold the car there was a need for new back tyres and they cheaped out and threw on the cheapest of the cheap. Switched them out for 2x Mitchelin Pilot Sport PS3's and the car is solid as a rock


Thanks for all the advice and assistance!

[markp306]

good news then!


Very happy with the four PS3 I just put on mine too and a Michelin fuel promotion voucher too!

[Deanoshrops]

Hi, I have recently bought an Audi 2.0 Tfsi quattro and love it , the only issue with the car is that sometimes under acceleration or overtaking the front end of the car seems to squirm about the road, I'm thinking or hoping it's the tyres, I have 20 inch rims on , any ideas? Thanks Deano