adamfcco

About to go in for 20k svc. When braking from freeway speeds I get a distinct shaking in the steering wheel.

Could it be something simple like wheel alignment? I've been on some pretty bad dirt roads here in Colorado & thinking that quattro or not, maybe the A4 isn't the car for these crappy roads!

Also, I hear a clinking sound, like loose chains or something, when driving over bumpy city streets at lower speeds.

Any thoughts from the crew here are much appreciated prior to my service on Friday.

Cheers,

I.C.U.P.

Get your wheels balanced, don't know about the chain sound though

yourk

u need your wheels balanced

rootkid

If you get a shaking feel through the wheel when driving normally, it's likely a wheel balance issue. If it's only under braking, it's more likely to be something like warped rotors.

The clanking that you hear could be the calipers rattling around. IIRC, this is somewhat common for A4s.

adg44

Or what is commonly refered to as "warped" rotors, even though they just get hot spotted and the vibration you feel is from hot spots on the rotors where brake material has melted onto them, and the caliper pulses every time it passes a hot spot on the rotor, thus causing your wheel vibration.

The dealer will replace your rotors are they are too soft and thin to be turned.

For future reference, you don't need your wheel balanced. Balanced wheels only cause a vibration in the steering wheel when you are cruising - when you are braking and get vibration, it's from your rotors/calipers. If your steering wheel vibrates while you are accelerating and only does it at certain speeds, then it's your alignment.

As for the clunking sound over bumpy roads, I highly doubt you have "lose brake calipers" (seriously, come on).

If you are having a clicking sound it is most likely coming from the suspension, check to make sure your stop plate and upper nuts are tight - or just have the dealer do it since you are going in for service anyway.

- Anthony

rootkid

<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/103574.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/103574.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/137448.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/137448.phtml</a>
<a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/336512.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/336512.phtml</a>

etc.

Thanks for the rest of your insightful comment though. :-P

3.0 Dolphin

rotors warped, since only vibes with braking. chirping..I get em too, on my list for the dealer.

Sprinty--Whitewagon

There's a good chance it's your brake pads. The caliper isn't loose, but if the pad moves inside of the caliper, you'll get a chirping noise. If you lube the back side of the pad that will quiet the noise down. Have the dealer do it when you bring it in.