Full lock noise

[The_Kid]

I've got an 06 S4, and just started to get a loud "rubbing" sound on full lock. Any ideas?

Many thanks!

[BlingBling]

A better description of the problem wouild help to provide possible causes.

[xyber]

Can you feel it through the steering wheel or peddles?

Does it seem to come from the wheel arch or further into the car?

[The_Kid]

Thanks for the replies. There is a slight feeling through the steering wheel, and it's quite a high pitched sound/whine and could even perhaps be described as a judder. But when i keep it on full lock it doesn't continue. And it doesn't happen all the time.

First snow of the winter today here, and S4 was excellent!

[xyber]

My first stop would be to check wheel studs are tight, check condition of pads and discs for wear or warping and check the wheel bearing for play or anything untoward.

Oh and the brake disc dust shields, check they aren't fouling anything, had that on a past car and took me ages to spot haha

[elmo]

If it was me I would also check the power steering fluid levels, also put it on full lock and have a good look underneath to see if anything is loose and rubbing (don't wear your best Sunday suit for this !), it may be something simple like the inner wheel arch guard is loose.

Also check you front tyres are correctly sized (235/40 R18) and check for wear marks on the inner tyre wall.

Just some suggestions.

[The_Kid]

Thanks for the replies. Will be doing the above!

[thesyn]

I have the above noise/vibration on full lock on my 55 cabriolet, does it when you move off, feels as if the front tyres are skipping across the surface of the road then as if something in the front suspension finds it's correct position and everything settles. Checked the tracking then was convinced that it was a cv joint. I searched "cv joint" on this forum and found various relevant threads, (sorry don't know how to link) but it seems like a common phenomenon in S4s and RS4 and other 4WD cars with wide tyres. Audi have tried various fixes including cv joints and trailing arms etc but have not permanently fixed it, doesn't appear to cause any damage.
I now just ignore it and try to avoid full lock

[xyber]

That sounds like your pulling away abit quickly on full lock. With so much power available, the rear wheels will just push the car forwards with the front wheels on full lock or turned a fair way in either direction and just scrubs the front tyres to bits.

[thesyn]

Yes it could be that, I will try pulling off slower later and see.
Other possible causes posted have been slightly worn front tyres not keying into the tarmac on moving off.
Reassuringly (?) R8s are reported to do it also.

[Vorsprung_Durch_Technik]

My S4 does this but only in the wet. I posted a while back about it and Im sure its something to do with the Anti roll bar set up and the power to the front as mentioned here already. I know a guy that had a fulll suspension change under warranty on the N/S/F and it made no difference at all.

[darlo968]

I was going to post a question asking about this kind of noise, since I have experienced it a few times in my new (to me) S4. It happens very subtley when pulling away with a lot of lock on (I wouldn't say full lock) but a similar sound/feeling also happens when I turn slowly and sharply onto a sloping driveway or forecourt entrance. I think in the latter case I may well be lifting a wheel and I thought it might be something to do with the Quattro diff(s) and/or the traction control. In the former case it certainly feels like the tyres are scrubbing a bit. I used to hear similar things about turning sharply in Porsches with LSDs.