Survey for vibration issue, even if you don't have it
10-06-2009, 10:20 AM
#22
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I had an interesting talk with a tech at work today who happens to be #2 in North America in terms of skill. The "updated" control arms are actually from the diesel model in Europe. I've yet to observe this "vibration" out the well HUNDREDS of cars I've driven as anything other than normal operation and feedback. As we talked he explained that the control arm fix does nothing but mute the handling and feedback of car thus making it more Lexus like which not what these cars are built for.
10-06-2009, 11:47 AM
#23
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I had an interesting talk with a tech at work today who happens to be #2 in North America in terms of skill. The "updated" control arms are actually from the diesel model in Europe. I've yet to observe this "vibration" out the well HUNDREDS of cars I've driven as anything other than normal operation and feedback. As we talked he explained that the control arm fix does nothing but mute the handling and feedback of car thus making it more Lexus like which not what these cars are built for. At the same time, we were discussing flat spots in tires as I have 2 A5 cabs that are getting new tires for just that reason, sat at port too long. I just find this whole thing to be silly maybe because I've yet to feel anything abnormal in the...probably 10k I've driven B8 A4s this year.
This is my third Audi, so I'm not unfamiliar with the road feel characteristics of these cars. And even if I wasn't, no car I've ever owned, after force balancing, replacing any tires found to be defective, assuring wheels were perfectly round, etc. has still exhibited this issue. I also doubt that the new arms will turn the car into a Lexus just because the bushings are a bit different.
Tell you what.. I'll trade you straight across for one of those hundreds of B8's you have driven that doesn't have a high speed steering wheel shimmy for mine that has it. Then you can continue to call it "silly". Sound fair? (Be sure the one you pick out has 8000+ miles on it so we're sure the vibration is not present as many owners (including me) didn't have the problem until then).
10-06-2009, 11:54 AM
#24
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That's fine but I will do so only if you stay off my thread as well.
Do you even have an A4 with these problems or are you just here to read your own posts?
10-06-2009, 12:50 PM
#25
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Folks, no need to get all tense about this "survey." The point was simply to see if certain configurations were more prone to having the problem than others, assuming someone will bother taking a close look at the posted data.
10-06-2009, 01:14 PM
#26
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TSB?
Thanks for your information. Can you give the TSB number? I want to have this when I call my dealer. I had my wheels balanced by the dealer and they found some problems. But the steering wheel shimmy (visual left & right movement)and vibration problem was reduced. Now I have a pulsating throughout the steering column that can be felt in the steering wheel at 65+ mph. I live 60 miles from the dealer so I do not want to have to go repeatedly for this single problem with the car.
10-06-2009, 02:13 PM
#27
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This is exactly me -- I described my issue now at 64mph as a buzz. I just called AOA and they would not even admit that the TSB affects my car stating that they've got it narrowed down by VIN, options, etc. I'm expecting to get a call back by Thu before I head to the dealer 50 min away for my 3rd trip. The frustration, of course, is that will only be to confirm what I'm telling them, then presumably to get them to agree to order the control arms. Then I'll have a 4th and probably a 5th trip unless they stop stonewalling me. The 4th trip will be to replace the controls arms and the 5th will likely be another R-F balance and either replace tires and/or wheels.
10-08-2009, 11:56 AM
#29
Guys, this looks like a serious Q5 and A4 issue. There is a sh*t storm going on at the German Audi Forum at http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/unwuc...-t2360258.html about that topic.
People experiencing steering wheel shudder and vibrations from 100-120km/h (60 - 75mph) after roughly 3000 miles. They had their dealers change tires, balance the wheels on the car, changed suspension arms and the brake disks - which fixed it for a while - before the same problem showed again after 2800 miles.
As of Oct 7 2009 it turned out that IS the break disks! They distort due to thermal stress. The distortion then causes the shudder @ a specific speed. After replacing the disks it works for another 3000 miles before you need to start over again...
For Audi this MUST be a known issue and they need to come up with long term solution. That might be different disks or a whole new (larger) break system for the Q5 and A5.
People experiencing steering wheel shudder and vibrations from 100-120km/h (60 - 75mph) after roughly 3000 miles. They had their dealers change tires, balance the wheels on the car, changed suspension arms and the brake disks - which fixed it for a while - before the same problem showed again after 2800 miles.
As of Oct 7 2009 it turned out that IS the break disks! They distort due to thermal stress. The distortion then causes the shudder @ a specific speed. After replacing the disks it works for another 3000 miles before you need to start over again...
For Audi this MUST be a known issue and they need to come up with long term solution. That might be different disks or a whole new (larger) break system for the Q5 and A5.
Saw this over on the q5 forum today.
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...1&postcount=16
Just cross posting for grins...
10-08-2009, 12:07 PM
#30
The TSB is 44-08-18.
I purchased the Bentley - which gives the TSBs :-)
From memory, it doesn't identify a VIN range.
Basically, the TSB goes through the road force balance procedure - once you've exhausted that process and still have the shimmy, the dealer should contact the Audi Tech center for further details. There isn't anything in there about new control arms.
So, the good news is that there is an official TSB and a process to follow. The first step is to do the balance. Looking at the TSB, no dealer is going to jump straight to new control arms until they conduct this step (or an alternative, updated TSB is produced).
I can probably PDF the TSB.
John.
I purchased the Bentley - which gives the TSBs :-)
From memory, it doesn't identify a VIN range.
Basically, the TSB goes through the road force balance procedure - once you've exhausted that process and still have the shimmy, the dealer should contact the Audi Tech center for further details. There isn't anything in there about new control arms.
So, the good news is that there is an official TSB and a process to follow. The first step is to do the balance. Looking at the TSB, no dealer is going to jump straight to new control arms until they conduct this step (or an alternative, updated TSB is produced).
I can probably PDF the TSB.
John.