Audi Quattro problem

**slhejh** · 01-12-2009,10:05 PM

I have a 57 plate A4 2.0Tfsi Sline Special Edition Quattro with 29k on the clock. Recently when on full lock to the right (with the car going slow) the car is skipping / vibrating across the road / carpark as if it trying to go straight on. This does not happen with the car on full lock left.

Has anyone experienced this before? Is it a problem with the Diff? I would like some advice before I book it into Audi.

The only other time I have experienced it is in an old jeep my dad had when it was in 4wd low range and was on full lock but that happened when it was on full lock right and left.

I know this isn't the best description but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ste

**randall977** · 02-12-2009,01:24 PM

This problem drove me nuts on my A4 Cab quattro for quite some time. In the end it turned out to be partially worn front tyres. I would be willing to bet it's the same on yours. My tyres were'nt completely worn (I thought they were fine) but it was certainly the cause of the problem. It felt like the car was jumping as I was hard locking at low speed (especially leaving the garage). I looked into everything, even bough new drive shafts! Apparently it's not an unusual problem...

**fourringsrus** · 02-12-2009,07:05 PM

A4 ,B6,3.0 Quattro sport tiptronic 2002 did exactly the same, and as randall says ,it's quite usuall on quattro models
Stuart

**kodkod.84** · 02-12-2009,08:25 PM

Does this on FWD with the S-Line suspension as well when you have low tread on the front, like the tyres are skittering on the road surface when at low speeds and on full lock.

I believe it is to do with the suspension geometry.

**slhejh** · 03-12-2009,08:41 PM

Just checked my tyres they've only done around 6,000 miles since they were replaced and there seems to be plenty of tread left on them.

Did yours used to vibrate when on hard lock left and right as mine only does it when turning right?

Ste

**randall977** · 03-12-2009,11:26 PM

6000 isn't a lot of mileage, it was more of a jumping / scrubbing action than vibration, and only at low speed. Maybe there's more to it with yours, CV joint sustained any damage? Are the tyres unevenly worn? Look for a split in the rubber gaiter over the CV joint, if it looks fine then it is fine. Could a suspension bush be worn? Get a garage to look for play in the suspension. I read about some guy who had his whole steering rack replaced under warranty for a simular problem...best not to worry about that for now! Go for the obvious things first.

**slhejh** · 04-12-2009,12:35 PM

I'll check the CV joint tonight but the car hasn't sustained any damage as i'm the only person who has driven it from new and so i'm 100% sure it shouldn't be damaged.

I will check it tonight though just in case. I'm assuming any faults with CV joints etc will be covered by the warranty.

Again I assume the bushes shouldn't have worn after 29,000 miles and 2 years or is this a common occurence?

Thanks again for the advice

Ste

**jetbox** · 08-12-2009,09:59 PM

hi,

i have the same problem on my quattro.its been to the garage several times and has not been fixed. when pushed auid changed the steering rack but its exactly the same. they are sure its the tyres causing the scrubbing noise, but i do not want to change then yet as they still have 4mm of tread. tried swapping front to back with no change in noise. i ignore it now, thinkits an s line quattro thing................

jetbox

**wizbongre** · 21-12-2009,12:51 PM

Like many others, I've got this exact same problem. Mine has been into Audi a number of times and nothing has cured it. Last time it was looked at, earlier this year, my car also had problems with the engine - performance and fuel economy were both shot. The engineer replaced the fuel pumps after discovering the oil seals had gone and had seeped oil into my fuel system. He claimed that this caused the engine to pulse and hence give the vibration...

As you can imagine, I was slightly sceptical that dodgy fuel could cause steering/suspension issues but he was adamant. Anyway, here we are months later and although my engine is now back to normal, the steering isn't.

Mine is terrible - performing a 3 point turn on a damp road is actually scary. This weekend, with ice and snow everywhere, has seen me stay in mostly as the one drive I did do I didn't think I'd get round any corners. The low point was juddering and skipping around a left hand corner in 2nd gear, struggling not to slide onto opposite side of the road whilst some old guy in a Zafira just cruised around behind me.

I'm sorry but no amount of tire wear or suspension alignment issue should cause the amount of understeer I see at slow speeds.

Remind me again why I opted for Quattro?!