Steering wheel vibration

[JonnyX]

Hi,

Picked my S4 today (Hurrah).
Had a problem with it on the way home (BooHoo).

Taking at above 75-80 there is a strong vibration through
the steering wheel and pedals - not good.

Ideas?

I am thinking wheel balancing, wheel bearings - any other
ideas?

Also, I need some locking wheel nuts. I have 18" RS4's
on there - what do I need?

Cheers,

Jon

[Carps]

Bent wheel, bent drive shaft, worn suspension mounts.

There are many things that can cause this - have you checked your wheels to see if any weights look like they have fallen off (ie, there may be a clean patch where they used to be).
If they are real RS4 wheels, I'd say a bent wheel is pretty likely.

[jeffw]

First thing to do is get them balanced....If they are bent this will show up on the balance machine...

'Real' RS4 wheels should not fit under S4 arches so I assume that they are aftermarket.

[Carps]

Don't the 'real' RS4 wheels fit with spacers ?

[jeffw]

Don't think so...I've never tried it but I think they have the wrong offset ...

[DavidT]

Don't the 'real' RS4 wheels fit with spacers ?

Carps, have a look here

there is a strong vibration through
the steering wheel and pedals

Pedals ? not good, take it back to where you bought it if you can and tell them to check it.

[JonnyX]

I am going to get the wheels balanced. If that doesn't
cure it then the dealer will pick it up and sort it
out. Of course, talk is cheap......

We will see. Big thanks for your suggestions.

Jon

[Nige_RS4]

I'm a stickler for balanced wheels and seem to be able to detect the smallest vibration with my [img]images/graemlins/033102ass_1_prv.gif[/img] or through the steering wheel, but I can't remember feeling anything through the pedals - could be more serious than just wheel balancing.

Nige.

[runrowsam]

I have a similar problem on my nackered old Beemer at the moment, but it occurs normally just under braking. I have still got to check it out, but somebody in the know told me it can also be brake related. It's possible you've got something stuck in the brake system ie on a disc. I've heard of the vents through the disc filling up with gunk and disrupting the balance, although of course the wheel itself is perfectly balanced. In that case it's just wheel off, pressure washer and Robert's your father's brother. Just my tuppence worth.

Rock on
Sam [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[Nige_RS4]

I have a similar problem on my nackered old Beemer at the moment, but it occurs normally just under braking

That'll be a warped disc then Sam - time to flash the cash with Mr BMW !

[runrowsam]

Hi Nige. I thought the same, but I don't think it is, since I don't have the problem all the time. I drove 80 miles down to Bath a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. I really am rather confused by it, but shall find out in a couple of weeks hopefully! Car only cost me £600 though, so if it's nackered I'll bin it. Hate the damn thing anyway! 525e - "eta" or "efficiency" model. My arse, I struggle to get any more than 25mpg out of it, and it's hardly a powerful beast. Mmm cruising down the motorway at 65mph doing 30mpg, legendary. You just try taking it through Bath when the engine's cold. Errm, 3 or 4mpg anyone?

Rock on
Sam [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[JonnyX]

Went to a tyre place today. The wheels are 8*18 and
are NOT genuine RS4. However, they had 5mm wheel
spacers - are these necessary???

After the wheel balancing the vibrations were much less
but still there - need to get up to about 100 now
before anything happens. Wheel bearings seemed ok on the
front as well. Going to get the dealer to sort it out
now.

Thanks.

Jon