Car feels twitchy on un-even surfaces?

[ZeroK66]

Hello all,

Now it may just be me... but right from the day I test drove the S4 I thought it felt really twitchy and un-easy on uneven road surfaces. Almost feels like it is tramming (If that is the right word)?

It does pull slightly off to the left and the steering wheel does not sit quite straight - so I assume wheel alignment would be a first check. I remember hearing something about peace of mind with an Audi approved car... yeah right!

Anyway... anyone else got any ideas?

[DavidT]

I'd say alignment, tyre types, sizes & pressures and ARB's are the main factors, they have been on my car anyway.

Fiddle with the tyre pressures first, that's free. The bigger the wheel size/lower the profile, the more sensitive it will be. Pirelli P6000 were terrible on my car.

An alignment is always good periodically, gonna get mine done now I'm happy with the suspension.

Does your car have uprated ARB's ? My H&R 32 mm one on stiff was unacceptable on the road.

[andy123]

have you got standard alloys?

[ZeroK66]

Hi Andy,

Yeah got the standard Alloys - not sure what tyres though. A new set of light weight alloys is on the cards, but just bought the car, so concentrating on getting a little money in the bank again first.

Thanks for suggestions Dave - will check pressures tonight - off to find some optimax anyways - will then take note of tyre brands & size...

Cheers,
Leon

[SimonS4MTM]

Hi Andy,

Yeah got the standard Alloys - not sure what tyres though. A new set of light weight alloys is on the cards, but just bought the car, so concentrating on getting a little money in the bank again first.

Thanks for suggestions Dave - will check pressures tonight - off to find some optimax anyways - will then take note of tyre brands & size...

Cheers,
Leon

Tyre pressures are always a personal thing, but if like me you are on std wheels, try 38 front and 36 rear. That helps mine a lot with regard to tramlining.

[scoobydood]

Having driven Leons car - I tend to agree. If memory serves me correctly, I think it is indeed shod with Pirelli P6000s... ????

[shineydave]

mine exhibited tramlining too but the tyres were part worn and a bit of a Heinz 57, full set of Avons sorted it, nice and surefooted now running standard tyre pressures.

[Jez]

My S4 use to tram,line terribly badly when it was running P6000s!! The car feels a lot more sure footed and no hint of tramlining with the eagle F1s fitted

The difference between the Goodyears and Pirellis was like night and day. So much more grip and quieter to boot.

[dazzer]

Who's got 18" wheels and what tyre pressures are you running please?

[ZeroK66]

Yep... P6000's seems to be the tyres causing a lot of my grief then. Have to wait till I get a new set of alloys then to replace the tyres... *sigh* - where does it end?

[mikeyquattro]

Never.......!!

[ZeroK66]

Keeps it fun I guess

[Mik]

Might also be your suspension getting a bit soft (dampers) and you will get that bouncy feeling.... If your car has covered more than 60k miles, I would say it might be time to change soon. Rough British roads are hard on our cars....

Mik

[s4-99]

Who's got 18" wheels and what tyre pressures are you running please?

I've got 225/40/18 and i put 37 front and 35 rear. I'm not sure if it's the correct pressure though for my size. Feels good though

[rolskii]

Have to wait till I get a new set of alloys then to replace the tyres... *sigh* - where does it end?

Never.......!!

Like it ... 4x4 = 4x££££.......