CraigMan

I'm a bit of a noobie when it comes to an S4. I've had my 2001.5 S4 for about 2 months now.
I notice that when driving on bumpy roads it feels like the steering wheel is trying to take off on its own. If i don't hold the wheel tightly with 2 hands I'll end up going into a ditch.

I took my S4 to the dealership to have them take a look. They gave me an alignment and then told me that the steering issue is due to "clunky tires".

Does anyone else have a similar issue with the steering? And WTF are clunky tires?

Thanks in advance

RKA

Tire pressures are...??

CraigMan

Tire pressure is set at the reccomended amount

RKA

Sorry...but we need to know before we respond.

O.W. Kenobi

I bet he's referring to 36f/34r.

CraigMan

Had to run to the car to check....36 psi in front and back

RKA

Tire pressure is good at 36. Some brand/model tires have super stiff sidewalls, and they tend to tramline a bit (what you're describing). That effect can get worse as the tire ages (how much tread depth do you have left and are the tires wearing evenly?).

If none of the above adequately explains what you're noticing, then I would suspect the car needs an alignment. Yes, you said they did it. I have a honda I purchased used...in the stack of receipts the previous owner gave me were a bunch of complaints about the steering, and a bunch of alignments. The only alignment that included a print out of the before and after results was the very last one before he sold the car. Strangely, that print out shows the alignment being WAY out of spec BEFORE, and dead on AFTER. Needless to say, I haven't noticed any issues with the alignment...it's perfect. My point...if you didn't get a printout of the results from the machine...you're left to trust their word. I would take it to another dealer, and ask them to perform and alignment. Be honest with them and tell them you need a second opinion, and you doubt the validity of the first shop. Ask them to print out the results for you.

CraigMan

I'm running 4 Kuhmo Ecsta ASX tires of size 225/45-17 on stock 17" Avus rims. They are the basic allseason tires that came with the car.

I'm not too sure about how to test tires for treadwear. I'm thinking now it would be in my best interests for me to go to my local tireshop for an evaluation...and if they say the tires are fine then I'll check out another dealership and also ask for an alignment printout.

Other than an alignment and possibly replacing the tires, is there any mechanism or dampener which absorbs the bumps for the steeringwheel?
If I do have to replace the tires, do you have any reccomendations?

Thanks for helping the new guy

Kimbo Slice

I'm having the same issue. Are you running stock suspension?

CraigMan

only thing not OEM are the tires