Tracking hasn't fixed steering problem on A4

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

Hi, my first post here. I took my A4 avant 1999 in for mot a couple of weeks ago and asked them to do the tracking aswell as it was pulling a bit to the right, I needed 2 new tyres on the front in mot. I got it back and it was now pulling to the left, I've taken it back twice now (and another time to kwik fit just to get another opinion) and it's still pulling to the left. The steering wheel isn't centered as when i hold it straight it veers very slightly to the right, and when I let go turns very quickly to the left. I can feel resistance when turning right.
Both the garage and kwik fit said the tracking was bang on and the garage have been very good and cooperative, changing tyres around etc but have thrown in the towel saying there's nothing more they can do.
I read on a different forum that sometimes when tracking is done garages sometimes only adjust one of the rods and not both. Or don't adjust the tow?
I know pretty little about cars so would really appreciate any advice.
I love this car but hate driving it at the moment.
I wondered bout taking it to an Audi garage (not dealer) and have heard
Chris Umpleby's name bandied around for Bradford/west Yorkshire as a recommendation. Any thoughts? And should it be an Audi specialist for something like this? sorry for long first post. Cheers

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:23 pm

Hi Welcome to the site and the helpful lads.

My 2000 W A4 Avant pulled to the left very slightly for most of the time I had it. I changed to new tyres once and that cured it.

However, if yours is so poor, I suggest a 4 wheel tracking and camber etc test by an Audid Franchise. If they prove that it is not running true and need to adjust, then you may be able to go back to the earlier people and claim your money back.

An Audi test could be worth the cash in the long run as tryes may be scrubbing at sides ?

What make of tyres have you got and what is their tread depth and is it even?

Rolling Eyes

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

Thanks for the reply, not sure what make the tyres are, two front ones are new from the mot.
It always drove great before apart from about a month before mot when It pulled slightly to the right.
Maybe your suggestion of 4 wheel tracking might work, is an Audi franchise best for this?

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 3:30 pm

or maybe your alloys/wheels are buckled? does it also appear when you brake? try braking and let go of steering wheel. maybe your problem is brake related

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

it doesnt get any worse when i break, its just there all the time. i remember a car i had before did it when breaking and it turned out to be brake calipers needed replacing (not cheap). but as i say no difference when breaking.
someone suggested a bump to the suspension but i understand that would have shown up in the mot.

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:42 pm

B5's are prone to wear in the front suspension arms. I'd get them and all related bushes checked, and then (and only then) get a 4 wheel alignment done. There's no ppoint spending £150 ish on a 4 wheel alignement only to find your lower arms are knackered.

It doesn't need to be a dealer, try here:

http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

Is it a quattro? Are they tyres wearing evenly?

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

Quattrojames excuse my ignorance but what are B5's?
It's not a quattro and I guess the tyres are wearing evenly, that would have shown up in mot wouldn't it? As I say, the front two were replaced in mot.
So ask a local mechanic to check front suspension arms and related bushes first?

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:19 pm

B5's are the early A4's which yours being a 99 model would be. Superceded by the B6 in 2001.

If the suspension arms were out I would think it would show itself in uneven tyre wear. Have you tried swapping the wheels front to rear to see if that makes any difference?

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

Ah ok thanks, I remember the garage saying they'd swapped tyres around (front to back), would they have meant wheels? I mean is it easier for them to swap the wheels rather than the tyres?
If the suspension arms were out would that make it veer to the left? I'm guessing yes otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it.
Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable bout cars.

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:59 am

Hi

You mighty think you don't know too much but just keep looking at this site and in a few months you will be a lot wiser. It just takes time.

Changing tyres. The garage meant they had swopped wheels and tyres. They don't take off the tyres - just leave them on the same wheels.

Just follow the advice above and let us know what the garages find. Someone here will advise you on any next step.

As for B5, B6, B7,B8. Audi just increase tyhe number every time a new or modified car come out.

For example I had a 2000 W reg which was like yours - a B5. I now have a 2008 which was first made from 2005 (2005-2008). It's a B7. The latest is the B8 which is slightly longer and larger but not as big as an Audi A6.

Cheers

Rolling Eyes

Newbie Joined: Jan 22, 2012 Posts: 6

Thanks rippo4u, just been reading up on front suspension arms and I get the impression they would have been checked at mot, is this correct?

Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:22 am

Not quite sure.

Possibly some wear shown up but well within tolerances. One test for front suspension is to press the wing (one side at a time) down and see if there are any squeaks and if the wing comes up to the right level.

Also check with the car on level and not on sloping ground that the distance between top of tyre and metal wing is the same both sides. Front and back.

You can do this with fingers - three fingers or four fingers . If it is significantly different i.e., an inch or so down on the off side - that may be the problem. Was the previous owner/s a large heavy person. Over time it may cause a drop. Perhaps a rear spring has broken at it's base. Does it roll on corners? A broken spring would be found at MOT though.

Rolling Eyes